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Why Elders?: A Biblical and Practical Guide for Church Members
Most works on elders are written for the pastor or church leader, but this volume speaks directly to the church member. Benjamin L. Merkle grounds this study about church elders in the Word of God as he clearly and succinctly informs laypeople of the scriptural qualifications and responsibilities of elders and deacons. Then he implores laity to vote wisely concerning church leadership. Why Elders? assumes the voice of the curious church member who reads the Bible with an eye focused on the early church’s organizational structure and asks, “Why did they do it the way they did?” and “How can we follow Scripture’s prescription for leadership?”
112 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 1, 2009
25 people are currently reading
72 people want to read
About the author
Benjamin L. Merkle
44 books21 followersBenjamin L. Merkle (PhD, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary) is professor of New Testament and Greek at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, North Carolina.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
January 5, 2024
Good… that’s it
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 13, 2021
A consolidation of his former work “40 Questions About Elders & Deacons”, Merkle serves the church well with his concise overview of elders (and even a chapter on deacons). He provided an accessible read, with solid (although often brief) arguments.
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August 9, 2011“The overwhelming evidence in the New Testament is that every congregation was led by a group of elders and not merely by a single pastor… With all the duties elders are required to perform, it is no wonder that in His wisdom God meant for each local church to be led by a plurality of leaders who can share the burden of the ministry.” (40, 51-52)
It only takes a cursory examination of journal articles and new publications in the field of church leadership to realize that many are looking to sources other than the New Testament for patterns/models of organizational structure. Interestingly, while many church leaders are moving in other directions, there are those in the corporate world who are discovering the many advantages of ‘servant leadership.’ In calling for “a return to a biblical model of government” (9), Merkle identifies the latter approach (servant leadership) as the corrective needed: “Leadership in the church is not about acquiring titles but about becoming a servant” (25).
Some might be surprised to learn that Benjamin Merkle, now the author of a second book advocating leadership of the local congregation by a plurality of elders, is an associate professor of New Testament and Greek at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. However, Merkle has espoused this emphasis consistently since his doctoral dissertation, which was a defense for the leadership of a plurality of elders in the local congregation published as The Elder and Overseer: One Office in the Early Church, Studies in Biblical Literature, Vol. 57. (New York: Peter Lang, 2003).
Actually, Merkle believes the New Testament supports a self-governing, congregational form of local church organization. He points out that many of the important decisions of the early church were not made by the elders alone, but were brought before the entire congregation. In this way, “the authority of elders is balanced by the authority of the congregation as a whole.” In support of local autonomy he writes – “There is no evidence in the New Testament that elders exercised authority outside their won congregation (in distinction from apostles, who appear to have had authority over multiple congregations” (38).
The book consists of only four chapters – each providing an answer to the question ‘Why elders?’ In fact, Merkle compares this book with his previous, 40 Questions About Elders and Deacons (Kregel, 2008), stating that “Why Elders? is a summary of that work in a condensed format focusing specifically on the topic of why every church should have elders” (15). His chapter titles tell us the reason for elders: It Is the Pattern of the New Testament Church; It Provides Help and Accountability for a Pastor; It Produces a Healthier Church; and, It Promotes the Biblical Role of Deacons.
It only takes a cursory examination of journal articles and new publications in the field of church leadership to realize that many are looking to sources other than the New Testament for patterns/models of organizational structure. Interestingly, while many church leaders are moving in other directions, there are those in the corporate world who are discovering the many advantages of ‘servant leadership.’ In calling for “a return to a biblical model of government” (9), Merkle identifies the latter approach (servant leadership) as the corrective needed: “Leadership in the church is not about acquiring titles but about becoming a servant” (25).
Some might be surprised to learn that Benjamin Merkle, now the author of a second book advocating leadership of the local congregation by a plurality of elders, is an associate professor of New Testament and Greek at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. However, Merkle has espoused this emphasis consistently since his doctoral dissertation, which was a defense for the leadership of a plurality of elders in the local congregation published as The Elder and Overseer: One Office in the Early Church, Studies in Biblical Literature, Vol. 57. (New York: Peter Lang, 2003).
Actually, Merkle believes the New Testament supports a self-governing, congregational form of local church organization. He points out that many of the important decisions of the early church were not made by the elders alone, but were brought before the entire congregation. In this way, “the authority of elders is balanced by the authority of the congregation as a whole.” In support of local autonomy he writes – “There is no evidence in the New Testament that elders exercised authority outside their won congregation (in distinction from apostles, who appear to have had authority over multiple congregations” (38).
The book consists of only four chapters – each providing an answer to the question ‘Why elders?’ In fact, Merkle compares this book with his previous, 40 Questions About Elders and Deacons (Kregel, 2008), stating that “Why Elders? is a summary of that work in a condensed format focusing specifically on the topic of why every church should have elders” (15). His chapter titles tell us the reason for elders: It Is the Pattern of the New Testament Church; It Provides Help and Accountability for a Pastor; It Produces a Healthier Church; and, It Promotes the Biblical Role of Deacons.
November 2, 2016
I really admire Benjamin Merkle's approach to the posed question in his title; he clearly and effectively sticks to Scripture while examining the topic of eldership. Throughout, he doesn't veer left or right into opinion after opinion, as many authors do. He simply lays out what the Bible has to say about elders and deacons including the qualifications, warnings, and benefits of each role.
I also like he examines these Biblical roles in light of where the Western church has taken them today. He provides convicting perspective on where the church is heading, and rightly provides a noble effort on how we can return to BIBLICAL elders and deacons, not worldly ones. I particularly like how he argues for a plurality of elders in each church, and the high calling of elders to constantly invest in raising up other elders in the church. He rightly points out that a "CEO church" model is not the most representative of a BIBLICAL church model.
Favorite Passage:
"The role of the elder as teacher is important, not just for the health of the church in the present, but also for the growth of the church in the future. As a result, it is not enough for the elders to simply be teachers; they also must be purposefully equipping the next generation of elders to minister alongside them or to plant new churches in the community. Too often I have witnessed pastors who preach and teach year after year but, when all is said and done, they have effectively trained and equipped nobody to take their place. It is a sign of an unhealthy church if there is no one in the congregation who can step into the gap and fill the pulpit whenever the pastor is gone. Biblical eldership includes training others to do the task of preaching and teaching."
I also like he examines these Biblical roles in light of where the Western church has taken them today. He provides convicting perspective on where the church is heading, and rightly provides a noble effort on how we can return to BIBLICAL elders and deacons, not worldly ones. I particularly like how he argues for a plurality of elders in each church, and the high calling of elders to constantly invest in raising up other elders in the church. He rightly points out that a "CEO church" model is not the most representative of a BIBLICAL church model.
Favorite Passage:
"The role of the elder as teacher is important, not just for the health of the church in the present, but also for the growth of the church in the future. As a result, it is not enough for the elders to simply be teachers; they also must be purposefully equipping the next generation of elders to minister alongside them or to plant new churches in the community. Too often I have witnessed pastors who preach and teach year after year but, when all is said and done, they have effectively trained and equipped nobody to take their place. It is a sign of an unhealthy church if there is no one in the congregation who can step into the gap and fill the pulpit whenever the pastor is gone. Biblical eldership includes training others to do the task of preaching and teaching."
March 27, 2020
Merkle takes a fair approach in this book. It's definitely written for the average church member, is brief, and doesn't bother drudging through all the many position about eldership qualifications and such. He does take some views I disagree with but for a congregationalist he is pretty conservative. And for the most part, where there are common issues of controversy he tends to not take a hard position and approach from the safest angle. Nonetheless, I disagree with him enough for a 3 star rating.
July 20, 2020
Dr. Merkle does a good job explaining the biblical role of Elders, and why we continue to need them in the church today. It is a really helpful book that clears up any misconceptions about positions within the church and as well as describing how Elders remain the key position in shepherding the church.
February 2, 2021
Though a short book, Mr. Merkle lays out a solid biblical case for having an elder-led church. He sticks closely to Scripture and clearly exegetes relevant passages. We are shown why pastors are elders, why church boards aren't biblical (though not necessarily that they shouldn't exist), and the differences between elders and deacons.
Practical, concise, and biblical: this is a solid book.
Practical, concise, and biblical: this is a solid book.
February 19, 2021
I greatly appreciated this book in that it finally explained to me in certain terms the exact reasoning why the local church should have elders and deacons. Most importantly, it explained the tasks of elders and how to distinguish between them and the role of a deacon.
November 6, 2022
Great read. Short, clear, biblical and easy to understand. My view of eldership is greatly enhanced. I'm a believer now whereas I wasn't before. Thank you Dr Merkle for your fine exposition on the matter of elders and deacons.
April 30, 2018
Fantastic little book designed to introduce laypeople to the biblical importance of elders. I’ll definitely be recommending this one to the congregation God has called me to shepherd.
June 24, 2020
Answers the appropriate questions from Scripture, does not use flowery language.
June 24, 2021
Great primer on the need, benefit, and blessing of establishing a plurality of elders in every church.
January 10, 2022
Why Elders is a condensed version of Merkle's previous work '40 Questions about Elders and Deacons.' This book is far shorter but has the same material. The only real difference is the footnotes and that he expands his arguments in the aforementioned book. This is a book that could be put into the hand of any churchman to help them short through the biblical understanding of Elders and deacons. As the subtitle says this book is a practical guide for accomplishing this goal. It was a fairly easy read. At times it can become very repetitive, but that is to be expected given the fact that all the information on the offices are minimal in some respects and that the same verses are used over and over to make the arguments for the respective offices.
October 11, 2022
Clear, concise, and convincing. This is the best resource available to help church members understand the biblical basis and benefit of a plurality of elders. I highly recommend it.
October 11, 2012
I began reading this book as a way of getting answers to whether or not our church's form of government was the scriptural one. However, I was a little disappointed because Merkle has produced sort of a "bible college" treatment of the subject. I was hoping to read about the tension between congregational government and elder rule demonstrated with solid exegesis form the scriptures. That's not this book! However, if you are interested in reading about the subject of elders, and understanding their qualifications in a clearer way, then this book is for you! Enjoy it, it's an easy read!
May 10, 2011
Really great read. The best point is many churches have given up biblical leadership for a corporate model. the reason is that leaders have not been taught what the bible says about elders.
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May 8, 2012If I hadn't come to the book already convinced of much of what it said, it would have been a helpful read. As it is--I do recommend it for those who are asking the question.
December 9, 2012
very helpful book on the roles/functions of elders. quick read, but very biblical and allowing for easy discussion
August 16, 2013
Good read backed up by a lot of scripture verses. A definite read for any members of all churches.
January 14, 2015
Great book to give to church members on the topic of elders. This is a summary of Merkle's larger book on the subject.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews