On Sunday, January 28, members of Grace Meridian Hill will be electing candidates for the office of Elder and officer of Deacon. So this is a good time to remind you how those roles are defined biblically. What is an Elder? What is a Deacon?
ELDER
General Description
Elders oversee the spiritual well-being of the people and the health of the church. Elders are not the church’s “Board of Directors.” They are shepherds (i.e., pastors). Their job is to teach, counsel, lead, pray, protect, and nurture members of God’s flock (1 Pet. 5:1-4; Acts 20:28-35). According to the PCA’s Book of Church Order, an elder is called to “watch diligently over the flock committed to his charge … exercise government and discipline … visit the people at their homes, especially the sick … instruct the ignorant, comfort the mourner, nourish and guard the children of the Church … set a worthy example to the flock entrusted to their care by their zeal to evangelize the unconverted and make disciples … pray with and for the people, being careful and diligent in seeking the fruit of the preached Word among the flock.” (BCO 8-3)
The Presbyterian form of church government distinguishes between two types of Elders: RulingElders (commonly called “Elders” for short), who typically serve as “bi-vocational” shepherds (1 Tim. 5:17), and Teaching Elders (commonly called Pastors or Ministers), who, in addition to shepherding, also preach and administer the sacraments (baptism and communion). Elders of both kinds lead as a team, serving and leading together.
Roles & Responsibilities
INSTRUCTING (feeding the flock): Elders verbally communicate the gospel in relationships.Examples: intentional conversations about faith and life, “discipling” members, counseling, equipping leaders, teaching the gospel and biblical doctrine in various settings, etc.
LEADING (guiding and governing the flock): Elders lead the church organization and mobilize people with grace, vision, and by their godly example. Examples: vision-casting, strategic decision-making, persuading, modeling, setting the tone for the community, managing church resources/finances, etc.
GUARDING (protecting the flock): Elders promote health in doctrine and in relationships, protecting the flock from error and division. Examples: exercising authoritative discernments/“judgment” of doctrine (1 Cor. 14:29, 34-35), ‘tough love’ through church discipline, managing conflicts in the community, etc.
CARING (carrying the flock, binding wounds, seeking the wandering): Elders nurture and sympathize with the suffering and the lost. Examples: showing hospitality, visiting the sick, praying for the weak, loving the poor, walking with non-Christians, etc.
DEACON
General Description
Deacons and deaconesses (jointly referred to as Diaconate) lead the church in its commitment to meet the physical and material needs of hurting people. Theirs is a ministry of “sympathy and service” (Acts 6:1-7; Luke 4:16-19; Matt. 25:31-46; James 2:14-17) on behalf of both church members and local neighbors. The ministries of care, mercy, and justice are the Deacons’ and Deaconesses’ primary focus. They serve primarily with “deeds,” i.e., practical action; nevertheless, its ministry is spiritual in nature and is often graced with words of hope and comfort (BCO 9-3). Further, while Deacons and Deaconesses are deeds-oriented, they must be leaders rather than doers alone. The Diaconate serves “under the supervision and authority of the Session” (BCO 9-2).
Roles & Responsibilities
CARING: The Diaconate serves the physical needs of (a) those in our church community, and (b) neighbors in the local community. They “minister to those who are in need, to the sick, to the friendless, and to any who may be in distress” (BCO). Examples: Walking with members in crisis, making mercy fund disbursements, reviewing requests from local neighbors, developing neighborhood partnerships, etc.)
LEADING AND EQUIPPING: The Diaconate encourages and equips the congregation for ministries of care, hospitality, mercy, and justice. They are responsible for “develop[ing] the grace of liberality in the members of the church,” that the whole church might be “diaconal.” Examples: training members for mercy/justice (classes), mentoring lay leaders, serving as church-neighborhood liaison, coordinating and mobilizing members for care ministries, developing systems for care/hospitality, etc.)
STEWARDING: The Diaconate assists the Elders in the stewardship of the church’s physical resources. The supervise the “collection/distribution of financial resources, property, etc.” (BCO). (Examples: reviewing annual budget, creating financial accountability systems, managing church facilities, overseeing personal property, etc.)
If you have any questions, please feel welcomed to ask Pastors Yancie or Duke. And please remember to pray for the concluding steps of this exciting process. Praise God for calling and providing new leaders for our church!
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