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Biblical Eldership: An Urgent Call to Restore Biblical Church Leadership
With over 200,000 copies sold, this comprehensive look at the role and function of elders brings all the advantages of shared leadership into focus. Beginning with the four broad categories of eldership (leading, feeding, caring, and protecting), Biblical Eldership explores the essential work of elders, their qualifications (including why qualifications are necessary), their relationships with each other, and each of the biblical passages related to eldership. Written for those seeking a clear understanding of the mandate for biblical eldership, this full-length, expository book defines it accurately, practically, and according to Scripture.
291 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 28, 1986
365 people are currently reading
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January 8, 2024
Modul în care o biserică trebuie condusă este un subiect care nu a fost ferit de dezbateri. Din păcate. Tradiția creștină de peste 2000 de ani a încărcat nespus de mult, mai mult decât necesar, acest spectru al conducerii, creând mai multă neînțelegere și ceață în privința esenței a ceea ce este adevărat sau a ceea ce trebuie făcut.
Cred că acest tratat aduce lumina necesară, printr-o exegeză și hermeneutică critică bine făcută, asupra soluției mult căutate în ce privește modul în care biserica locală trebuie organizată și condusă.
Cred că acest tratat aduce lumina necesară, printr-o exegeză și hermeneutică critică bine făcută, asupra soluției mult căutate în ce privește modul în care biserica locală trebuie organizată și condusă.
July 12, 2022
I cannot say enough about Biblical Eldership by Alexander Strauch. The subtitle is an appropriate description of this book – An Urgent Call to Restore Biblical Church Leadership. Helpful in so many ways, Strauch sets forth the definition of a leader, defends his position theologically and exegetically, and also does a magnificent job at expositing texts that bolster his case.
In part one, Strauch lays the foundation for biblical eldership. An elder is a shepherd, one that leads, feeds, and protects the flock of God. The shepherd elder has a heart for the people of God. Strauch writes, “The secret to caring for the sheep is love. A good shepherd loves sheep and loves to be with them.”
Early in the book, the author clears up any misunderstanding by defining biblical eldership: “A true biblical eldership is not a businesslike committee. It’s a biblically qualified council of men that jointly pastors the local church. The men who shepherd the people of God function as a team. That is to say, there are no lone rangers in ministry. Plurality of leadership is the model set forth in the New Testament. “By definition, the elder structure of government is a collective form of leadership in which each elder shares equally the position, authority, and responsibility of the office.”
Strauch clearly delineates that elders in the church must be male. While men and women are equal in personhood, dignity, and value – God’s Word establishes different roles for men and women. The author discusses the model of male leadership in the New Testament and carefully outlines the meaning of headship. He rightly adds, “Ultimately the abdication of male headship is a refusal to submit to Christ’s Word and Lordship.”
Biblical elders must be qualified. So the author carefully unpacks the biblical qualifications of an elder in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1. He outlines the moral and spiritual character qualities that must be found in a prospective elder. And he discusses the abilities of a prospective elder.
Biblical elders must be servant-minded. The author reminds, “Elders are to be servant leaders, not rulers or dictators.” He rightly reacts to an authoritarian mindset; one that leads in a heavy-handed way. He cites J.I. Packer with approval: “Authoritarianism is evil, and anti-social, anti-human and ultimately anti-God (for self-deifying pride is at its heart), and I have nothing to say in its favor.”
In part two, Strauch defends biblical eldership. He shows how the New Testament church was governed – always a plurality of leadership. Again, “New Testament … elders are not mere representatives of the people; they are … spiritually qualified shepherds who protect, lead and teach the people. They provide spiritual care for the entire flock. They are the official shepherds of the church.”
Part three is devoted to the exposition of Scripture. Here, the author focuses on key New Testament passages, especially Acts 14:23 and 20:17-38. This section is the “meat and potatoes” of the book. The writing is clear and the exegesis is sound. Numerous word studies are presented. And the mission of the local church is expounded: “The church’s mission is to safeguard and proclaim the gospel of Christ. Every local church is to be a gospel lighthouse, missionary agency, and gospel school … The conduct of the believing community, therefore, must speak well of the gospel and of Jesus Christ.”
Biblical Eldership is a classic in its own right. Over the years, nothing has helped me better understand the role, mission, responsibilities, and qualifications of a biblical elder. First published in 1995, this work will be used for years to come and will serve as a helpful “staff” for shepherds who take their work seriously.
“So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you, not for shameful gain, but eagerly, not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock” (1 Pet. 5:1-3, ESV).
In part one, Strauch lays the foundation for biblical eldership. An elder is a shepherd, one that leads, feeds, and protects the flock of God. The shepherd elder has a heart for the people of God. Strauch writes, “The secret to caring for the sheep is love. A good shepherd loves sheep and loves to be with them.”
Early in the book, the author clears up any misunderstanding by defining biblical eldership: “A true biblical eldership is not a businesslike committee. It’s a biblically qualified council of men that jointly pastors the local church. The men who shepherd the people of God function as a team. That is to say, there are no lone rangers in ministry. Plurality of leadership is the model set forth in the New Testament. “By definition, the elder structure of government is a collective form of leadership in which each elder shares equally the position, authority, and responsibility of the office.”
Strauch clearly delineates that elders in the church must be male. While men and women are equal in personhood, dignity, and value – God’s Word establishes different roles for men and women. The author discusses the model of male leadership in the New Testament and carefully outlines the meaning of headship. He rightly adds, “Ultimately the abdication of male headship is a refusal to submit to Christ’s Word and Lordship.”
Biblical elders must be qualified. So the author carefully unpacks the biblical qualifications of an elder in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1. He outlines the moral and spiritual character qualities that must be found in a prospective elder. And he discusses the abilities of a prospective elder.
Biblical elders must be servant-minded. The author reminds, “Elders are to be servant leaders, not rulers or dictators.” He rightly reacts to an authoritarian mindset; one that leads in a heavy-handed way. He cites J.I. Packer with approval: “Authoritarianism is evil, and anti-social, anti-human and ultimately anti-God (for self-deifying pride is at its heart), and I have nothing to say in its favor.”
In part two, Strauch defends biblical eldership. He shows how the New Testament church was governed – always a plurality of leadership. Again, “New Testament … elders are not mere representatives of the people; they are … spiritually qualified shepherds who protect, lead and teach the people. They provide spiritual care for the entire flock. They are the official shepherds of the church.”
Part three is devoted to the exposition of Scripture. Here, the author focuses on key New Testament passages, especially Acts 14:23 and 20:17-38. This section is the “meat and potatoes” of the book. The writing is clear and the exegesis is sound. Numerous word studies are presented. And the mission of the local church is expounded: “The church’s mission is to safeguard and proclaim the gospel of Christ. Every local church is to be a gospel lighthouse, missionary agency, and gospel school … The conduct of the believing community, therefore, must speak well of the gospel and of Jesus Christ.”
Biblical Eldership is a classic in its own right. Over the years, nothing has helped me better understand the role, mission, responsibilities, and qualifications of a biblical elder. First published in 1995, this work will be used for years to come and will serve as a helpful “staff” for shepherds who take their work seriously.
“So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you, not for shameful gain, but eagerly, not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock” (1 Pet. 5:1-3, ESV).
May 14, 2023
Strauch is a gifted teacher and writer - I appreciate his clear and comprehensive look into what the Bible has to say about eldership/plurality of elders. This book is also full of convicting exhortations to greater growth in godliness.
October 19, 2011
An excellent basic overview of the officer of elder. The strength of the book is the exegesis of various passages, such as I Timothy 3, 5 and Titus 1 on the office of elder. I also appreciated his sections on Acts 15, James 5:13-18 and Hebrews 13:17. I did not necessarily agree with all his conclusions, but his work on these passages provided a lot of food for thought. I would recommend it to anyone interested in being an elder.
I had two questions that he did not answer well. First, how much of Paul's ministry is paradigmatic for the elder? For example, I and II Corinthians contain several passages describing Paul's ministry. Do these passages have anything to say to the elder? Strauch did not answer this question very clearly. The reason I bring it up is because if Paul's ministry is a paradigm for an elder then it would seem to imply two types of elders or two offices (minister of the Word and ruling elder). Normally, a ruling elder who works a job 40-50 hours a week cannot be doing what Paul did.
Second, how much of Paul's instructions to Timothy and Titus, outside of the passages specifically about elders, apply to elders? Here I am asking the same question as the one above. If Timothy and Titus are paradigms for elders then there would appear to be two offices or at least two very different duties within the same office. A man who works 40-50 hours and is a ruling elder on the side is going to have a difficult time using Timothy or Titus as a paradigm. Some of this is implied in I Timothy 5:17-18.
My point is that whether you call a position "Three office" or not, if you use Paul, Timothy and Titus as your paradigm there is going to be at the very least a functional difference between the man who devotes himself full time to the ministry and the ruling elder. I do not think Strauch addressed this issue very carefully or clearly. By focusing on the passages that just specifically address elders, he left a lot of relevant passages on the cutting room floor.
I had two questions that he did not answer well. First, how much of Paul's ministry is paradigmatic for the elder? For example, I and II Corinthians contain several passages describing Paul's ministry. Do these passages have anything to say to the elder? Strauch did not answer this question very clearly. The reason I bring it up is because if Paul's ministry is a paradigm for an elder then it would seem to imply two types of elders or two offices (minister of the Word and ruling elder). Normally, a ruling elder who works a job 40-50 hours a week cannot be doing what Paul did.
Second, how much of Paul's instructions to Timothy and Titus, outside of the passages specifically about elders, apply to elders? Here I am asking the same question as the one above. If Timothy and Titus are paradigms for elders then there would appear to be two offices or at least two very different duties within the same office. A man who works 40-50 hours and is a ruling elder on the side is going to have a difficult time using Timothy or Titus as a paradigm. Some of this is implied in I Timothy 5:17-18.
My point is that whether you call a position "Three office" or not, if you use Paul, Timothy and Titus as your paradigm there is going to be at the very least a functional difference between the man who devotes himself full time to the ministry and the ruling elder. I do not think Strauch addressed this issue very carefully or clearly. By focusing on the passages that just specifically address elders, he left a lot of relevant passages on the cutting room floor.
December 30, 2022
A good textbook on biblical eldership
A well structured textbook which flows well and clearly considers the entire council of Scripture. Strauch effectively argues against opposing views, often citing other scholars. Though this isn't a light read, it is approachable for most.
This book is comprehensive in exegesis, word study, application, and a defense of that application. It is equipped to not merely confirm existing opinion, but to persuade those of differing or undecided conviction.
A well structured textbook which flows well and clearly considers the entire council of Scripture. Strauch effectively argues against opposing views, often citing other scholars. Though this isn't a light read, it is approachable for most.
This book is comprehensive in exegesis, word study, application, and a defense of that application. It is equipped to not merely confirm existing opinion, but to persuade those of differing or undecided conviction.
September 6, 2022
4.4 Stars
"Biblical Eldership" by Alexander Strauch is an excellent book about Biblical eldership. Strauch's book is a compelling commendation and defense of a plurality-eldership type of church polity. As well, Strauch argues for elders to be Biblically qualified and men of character. Overall this book mines the riches of the Scriptures to show what church eldership should look like and who should be a church elder. In the end, the book is a remarkable argument against modern "executive" and "talent-based" models of church leadership. Strauch's book is also humble and Christ-centered, arguing that elders of the church are called by God to model Christ, the perfect shepherd, to their congregation. This is THE go-to book for church eldership and I cannot more highly recommend it.
"Biblical Eldership" by Alexander Strauch is an excellent book about Biblical eldership. Strauch's book is a compelling commendation and defense of a plurality-eldership type of church polity. As well, Strauch argues for elders to be Biblically qualified and men of character. Overall this book mines the riches of the Scriptures to show what church eldership should look like and who should be a church elder. In the end, the book is a remarkable argument against modern "executive" and "talent-based" models of church leadership. Strauch's book is also humble and Christ-centered, arguing that elders of the church are called by God to model Christ, the perfect shepherd, to their congregation. This is THE go-to book for church eldership and I cannot more highly recommend it.
June 21, 2019
Strauch's book on eldership is a thorough examination of the New Testament texts and expounding what this means for the elder, and in many places, what it means for the congregation.
The book is long on Scripture and exposition, making this a well-argued, biblical approach.
Highly recommended.
The book is long on Scripture and exposition, making this a well-argued, biblical approach.
Highly recommended.
March 4, 2025
Very thorough. Covers just about every question one could have regarding what eldership/pastorship is, how it is to be handled and approached, and how to do it successfully. Thoroughly biblical, with constant reference to scripture.
February 4, 2022
Reads like a polemic at times, and can be repetitive, but overall very well done and a great resource to have on the shelf.
July 24, 2020
Spoiler alert - don't read this book if you are a bishop. Strauch will remind you in EVERY chapter that the New Testament is void of any reference to 'bishop'!
December 26, 2016
In my years of being a pastor's kid, then a worship leader, and now training for pastoral ministry myself, I've only grown in my conviction that biblical church leadership is of utmost importance. Much of the spiritual deadness we see in the modern evangelical church is directly attributable to unbiblical leadership structures, or disqualified men in leadership, or both!
Strauch's Biblical Eldership is really a modern masterpiece of addressing what the Bible teaches on how God desires His church to be ordered. Most striking to me was how much "air-time" the New Testament gives to directions to and for the elders of the early church. When people complain of bad experiences with a church, or a pastor, or board of elders, I have found that the problem wasn't a "too faithful" to Scripture, but a "not faithful enough". Strauch masterfully demonstrates that the Biblical model for the ordering of the Church is found in a plurality of biblically qualified pastoring elders (that are men)! He pithily remarks, "A biblical eldership is not a church board that conducts business for two or three hours a month— it is a hard-working, pastoral body."
All too often the church is run like a business, rather than like what it is in truth: the house of God, which is to be pastored, shepherded and led with all humility. Strauch again: "Christ’s presence is with the whole congregation, not just the elders." He goes on to show how the New Testament is full of admonitions, warnings, threatenings, cautions, and directions for the elders who rule the Church of God. When there is an abusive, unhealthy church, it is always the result of neglect of the biblical qualifications of the individual elders, or else an unbiblical ordering of leadership (i.e. a sort of "board of directors" with the Senior Pastor as CEO).
A "top-down" model only leads to a corruption of the alpha male; in contrast, where Scripture doesn't necessarily give the "method" for how the preparation, selection, and appointment process works, it clearly lays out the principles that must guide the church. Further, the Scriptures do provide us with a healthy understanding of how a plurality of male elders, whose goals are the goals of shepherding and caring for the people of God (and viewing themselves as included in that body). This plurality of elders ensures that the men on the session or group of elders are responsible to keep each other accountable to the biblical standards of behavior and lifestyle both in their personal and private lives.
I could go on, but more and more I see this as a vital doctrine which the Church must not neglect; if she does, it will only lead to heresy, abuse, and disaffected sheep, in danger of wandering. I highly recommend this book for every believer. Strauch writes at a lay-persons level, and is quite skillful at expositing the pertinent texts. In essence, we need more men like this!
Strauch's Biblical Eldership is really a modern masterpiece of addressing what the Bible teaches on how God desires His church to be ordered. Most striking to me was how much "air-time" the New Testament gives to directions to and for the elders of the early church. When people complain of bad experiences with a church, or a pastor, or board of elders, I have found that the problem wasn't a "too faithful" to Scripture, but a "not faithful enough". Strauch masterfully demonstrates that the Biblical model for the ordering of the Church is found in a plurality of biblically qualified pastoring elders (that are men)! He pithily remarks, "A biblical eldership is not a church board that conducts business for two or three hours a month— it is a hard-working, pastoral body."
All too often the church is run like a business, rather than like what it is in truth: the house of God, which is to be pastored, shepherded and led with all humility. Strauch again: "Christ’s presence is with the whole congregation, not just the elders." He goes on to show how the New Testament is full of admonitions, warnings, threatenings, cautions, and directions for the elders who rule the Church of God. When there is an abusive, unhealthy church, it is always the result of neglect of the biblical qualifications of the individual elders, or else an unbiblical ordering of leadership (i.e. a sort of "board of directors" with the Senior Pastor as CEO).
A "top-down" model only leads to a corruption of the alpha male; in contrast, where Scripture doesn't necessarily give the "method" for how the preparation, selection, and appointment process works, it clearly lays out the principles that must guide the church. Further, the Scriptures do provide us with a healthy understanding of how a plurality of male elders, whose goals are the goals of shepherding and caring for the people of God (and viewing themselves as included in that body). This plurality of elders ensures that the men on the session or group of elders are responsible to keep each other accountable to the biblical standards of behavior and lifestyle both in their personal and private lives.
I could go on, but more and more I see this as a vital doctrine which the Church must not neglect; if she does, it will only lead to heresy, abuse, and disaffected sheep, in danger of wandering. I highly recommend this book for every believer. Strauch writes at a lay-persons level, and is quite skillful at expositing the pertinent texts. In essence, we need more men like this!
July 25, 2020
Edit: finally, finished with it.
So far, half way through the book. I see the emerging pattern: first, there is either an uncharitable rant, or moan, and only after that there seems to be something that makes sense and usefully contributes to the discussion.
Every chapter has no 'there are no bishops in the Bible' or something similar (makes me wonder what Freud would say about that), and he is keen to build a straw man cases, I never know what is he specifically referring to with those rants anyway, he likes generalisation.
Oversimplification of the church history, virtually no honest engagement with the arguments coming from Christians holdind to different understanding than his, and when he engages with them, it is cavalier dismissal. So even if at times I happen to land in the same place where Strauch is, I am left disappointed and wanting to defend those brothers whose views were pronounced as wrong by him, because of the way he engaged with them.
Vast majority of the quotes are coming from people from his end of the spectrum, sometimes there will be something from Calvin or Lightfoot but that's rare.
Edit: later on, he added a bit of Lenski, JND Kelly and Hendriksen.
And his engagement with the Old Testament is on the level of occasional illustration, and that's it basically.
But when he is good and correct, then he is helpful - but it doesn't happen on every page. Most of the good stuff was in the first 100 pages. The remainder of this book was like a slow ploughing through the mud.
So far he has been worth reading, but this is definitely NOT 'the the book on eldership'.
At this point in time, I would give it 3.5 stars. I am wondering which direction will it go when I will finish it - towards 3 or 4 stars?
Edit: 3 stars is max.
I wonder why this book is so widely recommended? Why Kevin DeYoung is having his interns to read it as good stuff? "Best exegetical overview of eldership around today." according to KdY. Really?!? That means that things are in a lot worse shape that the most depressed prophets of gloom and doom are proclaiming! https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/bl... and for the record, I generally like DeYoung.
Apparently Douglas Wilson is also recommending this book widely. That doesn't concern me though, not my story.
I found it boring, tedious, and 'it's black or white only' attitude tiring.
So overall: book that can be skipped, not much will be lost. Unless you are a bishop, then you will have it hammered into your head that there are no bishops in the Bible, Strauch has no mercy 😆
Check the index: it mentions 'Bishop' just 5 times... well, that's not the case, his count must have been quite selective 😂
So far, half way through the book. I see the emerging pattern: first, there is either an uncharitable rant, or moan, and only after that there seems to be something that makes sense and usefully contributes to the discussion.
Every chapter has no 'there are no bishops in the Bible' or something similar (makes me wonder what Freud would say about that), and he is keen to build a straw man cases, I never know what is he specifically referring to with those rants anyway, he likes generalisation.
Oversimplification of the church history, virtually no honest engagement with the arguments coming from Christians holdind to different understanding than his, and when he engages with them, it is cavalier dismissal. So even if at times I happen to land in the same place where Strauch is, I am left disappointed and wanting to defend those brothers whose views were pronounced as wrong by him, because of the way he engaged with them.
Vast majority of the quotes are coming from people from his end of the spectrum, sometimes there will be something from Calvin or Lightfoot but that's rare.
Edit: later on, he added a bit of Lenski, JND Kelly and Hendriksen.
And his engagement with the Old Testament is on the level of occasional illustration, and that's it basically.
But when he is good and correct, then he is helpful - but it doesn't happen on every page. Most of the good stuff was in the first 100 pages. The remainder of this book was like a slow ploughing through the mud.
So far he has been worth reading, but this is definitely NOT 'the the book on eldership'.
At this point in time, I would give it 3.5 stars. I am wondering which direction will it go when I will finish it - towards 3 or 4 stars?
Edit: 3 stars is max.
I wonder why this book is so widely recommended? Why Kevin DeYoung is having his interns to read it as good stuff? "Best exegetical overview of eldership around today." according to KdY. Really?!? That means that things are in a lot worse shape that the most depressed prophets of gloom and doom are proclaiming! https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/bl... and for the record, I generally like DeYoung.
Apparently Douglas Wilson is also recommending this book widely. That doesn't concern me though, not my story.
I found it boring, tedious, and 'it's black or white only' attitude tiring.
So overall: book that can be skipped, not much will be lost. Unless you are a bishop, then you will have it hammered into your head that there are no bishops in the Bible, Strauch has no mercy 😆
Check the index: it mentions 'Bishop' just 5 times... well, that's not the case, his count must have been quite selective 😂
January 23, 2021
This book is so needed in the modern church. The biblical teaching of a plurality of elders has been almost lost throughout church history. But Strauch shows us all the places in the NT it can be found, and how to apply it to the local church today. Very highly recommended!
April 11, 2009
Very good. Also read in April of 1991.
December 20, 2023
A great book about the Biblical mandate for churches to have a plural elder form of government, as opposed to a "head pastor" or a pastor nominally in charge of an elder board, or other such variations. I felt despondent as I read these clear teachings of Scripture and thought about the shortcomings of most churches today, even very good churches.
A lot of churches try to emulate this standard, but (1) effectively consolidate the day-to-day "ruling" or leading of the church into a pastor or pastors, even though they have elders, or (2) have elders who are supposed to be the leaders, but those elders are essentially board members performing administrative oversight (early in the book, Strauch differentiates true pastor-elders or shepherd-elders from "board elders"), or (3) fail to communicate clearly to the congregation that the elders are the leaders, with equal authority—thus, elders' inputs in matters of doctrine and teaching and discipline are ignored with no consequences. Of course, the problem may be a combination of these or other variations. Another problem is that elders are not examined for their ability to teach sound doctrine and refute false teaching.
There may be a very nonchalant attitude about the false teachings of the day, and elders are not allowed to take stands against those hazards and thereby protect the flock. Leaders of ministries (e.g., children's ministry, women's ministry, education programs, music ministry) may be afforded too much authority in their areas with little or no elder oversight or input.
Almost but not quite five stars: It could use a few editorial improvements and it wasn't quite at the top tier of my books in terms of readability, interest level, unique insight, and great writing. Still, I really liked it and highly recommend it.
A lot of churches try to emulate this standard, but (1) effectively consolidate the day-to-day "ruling" or leading of the church into a pastor or pastors, even though they have elders, or (2) have elders who are supposed to be the leaders, but those elders are essentially board members performing administrative oversight (early in the book, Strauch differentiates true pastor-elders or shepherd-elders from "board elders"), or (3) fail to communicate clearly to the congregation that the elders are the leaders, with equal authority—thus, elders' inputs in matters of doctrine and teaching and discipline are ignored with no consequences. Of course, the problem may be a combination of these or other variations. Another problem is that elders are not examined for their ability to teach sound doctrine and refute false teaching.
There may be a very nonchalant attitude about the false teachings of the day, and elders are not allowed to take stands against those hazards and thereby protect the flock. Leaders of ministries (e.g., children's ministry, women's ministry, education programs, music ministry) may be afforded too much authority in their areas with little or no elder oversight or input.
Almost but not quite five stars: It could use a few editorial improvements and it wasn't quite at the top tier of my books in terms of readability, interest level, unique insight, and great writing. Still, I really liked it and highly recommend it.
March 1, 2021
If I was able to, I'd ensure that every Christian in every local church worldwide, irrespective of denomination, had a copy of this book! It is a work that should be read, re-read, studied, and especially taught! Perhaps, in my opinion, the most fundamental issue facing the church today is one of leadership and the need to restore Biblical leadership within our churches. This book provides a prescription to aid that recovery!
Alexander Strauch has provided a well-researched, clearly written, and keenly argued defense of and rationale for Biblical eldership, and we do both God and ourselves a grave disservice by not adhering to the revelation of biblical styled leadership in the local church.
Church leadership is a topic that I have had an interest in for over 40 years, and after all the books I have read and sermons listened to, I can say that none come anywhere close to the clarity of this book by Alexander Strauch. Very highly recommended!
a 5-star read!
Alexander Strauch has provided a well-researched, clearly written, and keenly argued defense of and rationale for Biblical eldership, and we do both God and ourselves a grave disservice by not adhering to the revelation of biblical styled leadership in the local church.
Church leadership is a topic that I have had an interest in for over 40 years, and after all the books I have read and sermons listened to, I can say that none come anywhere close to the clarity of this book by Alexander Strauch. Very highly recommended!
a 5-star read!
June 24, 2024
This book is a comprehensive view of the biblical conception of pastor-elders. Every relevant text in the NT is dealt with in detail, providing a thoroughly biblical case about who an elder is to be and what he is to do.
P70 - “An elder is entrusted with God's dearest and most costly possessions, His children. He thus holds a position of solemn authority and trust. He acts on behalf of God's interests. No earthly monarch would dare think of hiring an immoral or incapable person to manage his estate. Nor would parents think of entrusting their children or family finances to an untrustworthy or incompetent person. So, too, the High and Holy One will not have an unfit, unqualified steward caring for His precious children.”
P70 - “An elder is entrusted with God's dearest and most costly possessions, His children. He thus holds a position of solemn authority and trust. He acts on behalf of God's interests. No earthly monarch would dare think of hiring an immoral or incapable person to manage his estate. Nor would parents think of entrusting their children or family finances to an untrustworthy or incompetent person. So, too, the High and Holy One will not have an unfit, unqualified steward caring for His precious children.”
August 16, 2024
Fantastic exegetical book on the role of elders. Really helped me understand the true duties of an elder. Specifically the difference between (unbiblical but unfortunately common today) board elders, and (biblical) Shepherd elders. I believe much revival in church would take place if we reformed our view of eldership in the modern church. The book very helpfully outlines from scripture that elders and pastors are one in the same. These terms in scripture are synonymous and not to designate a superior class of elders over another. So many unhelpful terms such as “senior pastor” or “associate pastor” are rampant today. These terms really hinder our understanding of true biblical eldership. Where all elders are of equal authority. There may be leaders in this group but ultimately they are all of equal authority. And are all equally responsible for shepherding the flock among them. (1 Peter 5:2) Great book, I believe this would be beneficial for all members of the church to read, so they can better know how to submit to their elders, help appoint elders, and if they are called, grow in the qualifications of an elder.
April 12, 2020
If you want a detailed look at all scripture concerning eldership LOOK NO FURTHER. thankful for details but it was also a lot. Definitely SOLD on plurality of eldership. My one quam is that this author didn’t talk about men / women at ALL in the church leadership conversation. Cmon man. I know this was published in 2006 but I’m just looking to understand. Would recommend for those experiencing appointment of elders in their church.
January 9, 2024
Friend, can I interest you in a book that claims the entire institutional church for all of its history has gotten its governmental structure wrong? And even the churches that do practice the plurality of eldership in government like the book advocates do so badly?
What if I told you that the book in question is three hundred pages long and extremely repetitive? WHY ARE YOU NOT INTERESTED
What if I told you that the book in question is three hundred pages long and extremely repetitive? WHY ARE YOU NOT INTERESTED
March 29, 2022
There’s some 5 star material in here—encouraging and convicting reflections on the elder’s responsibilities—but it’s unnecessarily thick. 3 stars for me.
July 28, 2023
As the Book Title says - Biblical!
October 26, 2023
Really good.
February 16, 2025
Excellent for anyone aspiring to be an Elder/Pastor.
February 2, 2022
Good stuff. A must read for all church elders. It’s more doctrinal than practical but still really helpful.
January 22, 2022
An absolute must-read for anyone in a church leadership position and, really, every church member. Strauch presents a thoroughly comprehensive and exegetical treatise on everything having to do with church eldership -- who they are, what they do, and why do they do it. This book is in a class of its own.
June 13, 2013
This is a great book on Biblical Eldership. The author has done a lot of research and study into this topic from numerous sources, there is a 28 page bibliography included for all those who read footnotes :-)
Strauch shows without a doubt how a Biblically based Christian eldership should function, justifying the books subtitle "An Urgent Call To Restore Biblical Church Leadership", in an age where it seems that anything "new" or "edgy" is best, Strauch draws us back to the Bible and shows why we need to restore the Biblical model.
Issues like gender, plurality of elders, the necessity of elders, qualifications of elders, roles and responsibilities of elders, disciplining an elder, appointing elders are covered very well.
There are 155 pages that are devoted to the exposition of scripture in relation to elders and the office of elder and exegesis of various passages, such as I Timothy 3, 5 and Titus 1 on the office of elder. I also appreciated his sections on Acts 15, James 5:13-18 and Hebrews 13:17. I would recommend it to anyone interested in being an elder, or for any Church that is interested in doing a "check-up" on their current practices in this area.
I have not been able to find an e-book or audiobook version yet, but you can order the Paperback, Discussion Guide and Study Guide here:
Biblical Eldership Paperback
Biblical Eldership Study Guide - Mentoring Men for Eldership
Biblical Eldership Discussion Guide
Strauch shows without a doubt how a Biblically based Christian eldership should function, justifying the books subtitle "An Urgent Call To Restore Biblical Church Leadership", in an age where it seems that anything "new" or "edgy" is best, Strauch draws us back to the Bible and shows why we need to restore the Biblical model.
Issues like gender, plurality of elders, the necessity of elders, qualifications of elders, roles and responsibilities of elders, disciplining an elder, appointing elders are covered very well.
There are 155 pages that are devoted to the exposition of scripture in relation to elders and the office of elder and exegesis of various passages, such as I Timothy 3, 5 and Titus 1 on the office of elder. I also appreciated his sections on Acts 15, James 5:13-18 and Hebrews 13:17. I would recommend it to anyone interested in being an elder, or for any Church that is interested in doing a "check-up" on their current practices in this area.
I have not been able to find an e-book or audiobook version yet, but you can order the Paperback, Discussion Guide and Study Guide here:
Biblical Eldership Paperback
Biblical Eldership Study Guide - Mentoring Men for Eldership
Biblical Eldership Discussion Guide
November 17, 2015
Alexander Strauch has written a solid treatment of elders as they were meant to be by the Bible.
At least half the book is exposition of Scripture texts related to elders - a real strength. You need a team of multiple elders who are humble servants who can teach and apply Scripture to the flock in a caring and truthful way. I can see this book being a God-send to Baptist or non-denominational congregations that begin to realize they should have elders and wonder where to start.
It feels like the other half of the book is Strauch’s strident opposition to clericalism. He has a chip on his shoulder against educated pastors being distinct from elders. That can lead to professionalism and the pushing aside of elders doing their shepherding work, but the education is needed, and the distinction should be noted officially in the body (1 tim 5:17). His fixation with not having lone pastors could be very discouraging to pastors in small churches with little other leadership, or it could keep a formally educated elder from feeling he has something important to contribute to the elder team. Churches need to value both the shepherding of lay elders, and the training of a full-time elder/pastor, without devaluing one at the expense of the other. To put this in 2-office, 3-office (2.5-office!) terminology, Strauch is 2.1 office, while I am 2.75 office.
Nevertheless, this is worthwhile and important reading for every elder, or Christian thinking about becoming an elder.
At least half the book is exposition of Scripture texts related to elders - a real strength. You need a team of multiple elders who are humble servants who can teach and apply Scripture to the flock in a caring and truthful way. I can see this book being a God-send to Baptist or non-denominational congregations that begin to realize they should have elders and wonder where to start.
It feels like the other half of the book is Strauch’s strident opposition to clericalism. He has a chip on his shoulder against educated pastors being distinct from elders. That can lead to professionalism and the pushing aside of elders doing their shepherding work, but the education is needed, and the distinction should be noted officially in the body (1 tim 5:17). His fixation with not having lone pastors could be very discouraging to pastors in small churches with little other leadership, or it could keep a formally educated elder from feeling he has something important to contribute to the elder team. Churches need to value both the shepherding of lay elders, and the training of a full-time elder/pastor, without devaluing one at the expense of the other. To put this in 2-office, 3-office (2.5-office!) terminology, Strauch is 2.1 office, while I am 2.75 office.
Nevertheless, this is worthwhile and important reading for every elder, or Christian thinking about becoming an elder.
July 14, 2022
Been working on this one for a while and finally finished the other night. This was a quality read and I'm most glad I did put in the time to read it. It's an interesting book because I get the sense that it was written as a call and plea for churches to move to a more biblical model of church leadership - away from the congregational or single pastor model. For myself, coming from an elder-led church and believing that churches should be governed by elders, I didn't need convincing. But this was a most helpful book because it both strengthened my convictions for why an elder-led local church is biblically sound as well as building up my understanding of what the elders are and how they ought function. I greatly appreciated that this book is so soaked in Scripture. The author is not attempting to force or stretch Scripture to support his own ideas on church leadership, but he rather walks through the appropriate biblical passages to help the reader understand the concept of a ruling elder, both in the Jewish context as well as in the early church. The majority of the chapters are focused on a particular passage of Scripture, exploring the context of that passage and what it means to us today. I could go on and on talking about various parts of this book that encouraged me, but a few points that stood out. I greatly appreciated the author's focus on the elder as pastor or shepherd. The elder is not to be a board member or one ruling with an iron fist. Instead, the elders should be looking out for the welfare of the flock and watching out for the wolves. The local church is not a business or a social organization and should not be run as either. Instead, the elders ought use their individual and particular gifts to lead and serve the flock. This was another point that I appreciated. The elders will not all be exactly alike, with the same gifting and same passions. Each elder will likely have a different mixing of gifts and different ways of using these gifts to minister to the body. Yes, all must be able to teach, but some will truly have the gift of teaching and should be using this to build up the church. Some will have gifts of compassion or administration and should use these in their role as elders. And so on. Another concept that the author hammered home was the unbiblical clergy/laity divide. Do we think that the pastors or priests are more holy than the lay members of the congregation? May it never be! This false thinking leads people to operate as if the pastor and staff does all of the church's work, while the members merely sit back and appreciate and consume. We are all brothers and sisters in Christ and we have but one Father, but one Leader. I appreciate the author not being content to follow Tradition, but instead to point back to the biblical model of the local church. Let us not venerate man, but God. Those of us that don't go to a church with a more rigidly structured hierarchy may think that we've escaped this trap, but I don't believe that's so. Much of Western evangelical Christianity has fallen under the sway of the celebrity pastor model - if we just get that one uber-talented, multi-gifted pastor, he will solve the church's problems and lead us to glory. Again, may it never be. Yes, there will be elders that will be more visible on a Sunday morning and there will be elders that are even (rightly so!) compensated for their work in the church, but that does not mean that these more prominent persons ought rule the church. A plurality of elders ruling the local body is the desired leadership model, as laid out by the author in this book. I'm aware I'm rambling a bit and am all over the place here! There is simply too much to say and so I'm bouncing from idea to idea! Were there things I didn't like? Really only one thing. While I thought the majority of his chapter on "male eldership" was both biblical and sound, the author does go a bit farther than I think is biblically justified when he shuts down women's involvement in the corporate worship service almost entirely. Also, this book is not comprehensive. Some of the issues raised in this book have had multiple books written about them! But this book is a most fantastic overview as to what it is to be a biblical elder. Who qualifies? What are their duties and tasks? How ought the eldership function? I appreciated the fact that the author isn't dogmatic where the Scripture is not. Many of the church structure/leadership details that we so squabble over, the author passes over as being things that can be done different ways in different church contexts, as long as the elders are prayerfully and humbly seeking God's wisdom in leading the church. This book would be very controversial to many (both non-Christian and Christian alike), but I am grateful for the author's deft interpretation of Scripture in attempting to understand this issue of church leadership. It's even made me consider some of my own blind spots in this area, most particularly my partially subconscious belief in the "senior pastor" as the key to a church's success. May it never be! All of us who are in Christ have received the Holy Spirit from the Father and thus all in a local church are saints. There are some who have the gifting, qualifications and desire to partake in the leading of this body and these men ought humbly serve their fellow saints in this way as they tremble in acknowledgement of the heavy burden that is eldership. Might we respect and assist these men as well as recognize that we are all yet brothers and sisters in Christ - they are not above or beyond us in spiritual status. I walk away from this book with an increased conviction that a local church ought be ruled by a plurality of elders, as laid out and demonstrated in the New Testament. I also have an increased gratitude for the elders in my own church. Might I pray more that God grant them grace in their service and protect them from the devil's snares! This author multiple times comments on the natural laziness of us all and how easy it is to let someone else do all the work in church. Might I remain convicted myself of this fact and strive to use my own gifts in service of the body of Christ. And all of this - through the power of the Spirit for the glory of God alone. Amen and Amen.
October 26, 2020
Strauch’s mission was to convince his readers that 1) the robust office of elder is a pastoral, directing, leading, superintending, shepherding office (contra the less-involved advisory members of traditional elder boards), 2) it is meant to be a shared leadership position with other pastor-elders, and 3) it is only to be occupied by morally fit and gifted men per the qualifications of Titus 1 and 1 Timothy 3.
Strauch’s category for particularly gifted or prominent elders who stand out among others is “first among equals.” He sees precedent for this with Peter among the apostles. He also sees precedent with Philip and Stephen among (the conceptual approximations of) deacons in Acts 6. He likewise sees precedent with Paul alongside Barnabas.
The first two examples are fitting, but the last example is puzzling. Strauch claims that Paul “held no formal ranking over Barnabas” (47), yet Paul’s apostolic credentials surely were categorically superior to that of Barnabas. Paul was personally commissioned by Christ. Barnabas was merely commissioned by the church in Antioch.
Nomenclature matters to Strauch: To designate the prominent elder as “pastor” while calling the others “lay elders” is to go beyond the Bible and dishonor the significance of the shared office. To receive “double honor” as an elder does not mean one has a special class or warrant to a different title.
Strauch successfully and convincingly argues that the terms for elder and overseer are interchangeable and refer to the same office. There are not tiers of such offices, nor does one person in this office govern multiple churches.
All elders must pull significant weight and avoid putting all the burden of spiritual care on the exceptionally gifted elders. Otherwise the other elders function as mere advisors. A true plurality of shepherd-elders allows each to function according to his gifts. It increases accountability and mutual encouragement.
These elders must be men. Maleness was not arbitrary to the mission of Christ, nor is it to the work of eldership. The family is the basic social unit which other institutions reflect or echo. Thus, “we should not be surprised that men would be the elders or fathers of the larger, local church family.” (59) Community is structured after the family. Since eldership requires teaching, and Paul forbids women to teach men in the church assembly, women (the “vice-regents” of men) are excluded from eldership. Strauch’s rooting of complementarianism in creational norms and natural patterns places him firmly in the “thick” complementarian camp, contra the androgynous approach of “thin” complementarianism (where roles are largely disconnected from nature or gendered piety).
Strauch interprets 1 Corinthians 11:4 using the more context-explicit instructions from 14:34-35. He takes 11:4 to be inclusive of non-church contexts, and 14:34-35 to be a blanket prohibition of “women from taking the lead publicly by speaking in an open, spontaneous church meeting.” (66) This is notably different from popular complementarian approaches which interpret 14:34-35 through the lens of 11:4, with the (false, I believe) assumption that 11:4 permitted female public charismata in the church assembly, or even non-official preaching (supposedly authorized by an elder).
Knowing about Strauch’s background is helpful here. He pastored Littleton Bible Chapel near Denver, Colorado, for forty years. This church comes from the Plymouth Brethren background. In their services they have an open, spontaneous time for men of the church (not just elders) to contribute a song, a word, a lesson, or lead a prayer. At this time their women are covered and asked to remain silent. This time is moderated by the elders, and charismata is (I believe) not welcomed. After this open time a more traditional expository sermon is delivered.
Strauch expounds the moral and gifting qualifications of Titus 1 and 1 Timothy 3. He insists that the office must be open to “all in the church who are called by the Holy Spirit and meet the apostolic qualifications.” (75) He notes the failure of churches to ask probing questions about the private life of candidates.
Candidates must be sound in doctrine. They must be seasoned in their knowledge of Scripture and settled in their convictions. They must also have an ability to teach. Ideally all this training is to take place in one’s own home and in one’s own church.
Strauch labors to show that the gathering of elders from Antioch, Jerusalem, or Ephesus never implies an authoritative council of leaders who presided over multiple churches within the city. His aim is to avoid the notion that each leader came from a different church. He wants to reinforce both the plurality of elders and the autonomy of local churches. I believe Strauch can maintain plurality of elders in autonomous local churches without arguing that the elders represented single city megachurches.
Strauch emphasizes the familial nature of local churches. There is a shared brotherhood that puts the official nature of eldership into context, attenuating the honor-system, enjoying the equality of brotherhood, even while maintaining real distinctions of shepherds and non-shepherds.
Strauch comes decidedly against strict congregationalism: “The New Testament does not indicate that the congregation governs itself by majority vote, and there is no evidence that God has granted every member one equal vote with every other member.” (307) Yet he stresses the importance of elders involving the whole church in major decisions, as well as in the vetting and installation of new elders.
For Strauch “ordination” is a congregation’s affirmation of God’s calling and gifting of a qualified candidate, typically but not necessarily symbolized through the laying of hands. Authority is not conferred by the congregation onto the candidate, yet the official status has a real beginning. The event signals the beginning of a shepherd’s official relationship with the congregation. This affirmation seems specific to a local church and is not broad to a denomination, though it may be respected beyond the local church.
Strauch’s category for particularly gifted or prominent elders who stand out among others is “first among equals.” He sees precedent for this with Peter among the apostles. He also sees precedent with Philip and Stephen among (the conceptual approximations of) deacons in Acts 6. He likewise sees precedent with Paul alongside Barnabas.
The first two examples are fitting, but the last example is puzzling. Strauch claims that Paul “held no formal ranking over Barnabas” (47), yet Paul’s apostolic credentials surely were categorically superior to that of Barnabas. Paul was personally commissioned by Christ. Barnabas was merely commissioned by the church in Antioch.
Nomenclature matters to Strauch: To designate the prominent elder as “pastor” while calling the others “lay elders” is to go beyond the Bible and dishonor the significance of the shared office. To receive “double honor” as an elder does not mean one has a special class or warrant to a different title.
Strauch successfully and convincingly argues that the terms for elder and overseer are interchangeable and refer to the same office. There are not tiers of such offices, nor does one person in this office govern multiple churches.
All elders must pull significant weight and avoid putting all the burden of spiritual care on the exceptionally gifted elders. Otherwise the other elders function as mere advisors. A true plurality of shepherd-elders allows each to function according to his gifts. It increases accountability and mutual encouragement.
These elders must be men. Maleness was not arbitrary to the mission of Christ, nor is it to the work of eldership. The family is the basic social unit which other institutions reflect or echo. Thus, “we should not be surprised that men would be the elders or fathers of the larger, local church family.” (59) Community is structured after the family. Since eldership requires teaching, and Paul forbids women to teach men in the church assembly, women (the “vice-regents” of men) are excluded from eldership. Strauch’s rooting of complementarianism in creational norms and natural patterns places him firmly in the “thick” complementarian camp, contra the androgynous approach of “thin” complementarianism (where roles are largely disconnected from nature or gendered piety).
Strauch interprets 1 Corinthians 11:4 using the more context-explicit instructions from 14:34-35. He takes 11:4 to be inclusive of non-church contexts, and 14:34-35 to be a blanket prohibition of “women from taking the lead publicly by speaking in an open, spontaneous church meeting.” (66) This is notably different from popular complementarian approaches which interpret 14:34-35 through the lens of 11:4, with the (false, I believe) assumption that 11:4 permitted female public charismata in the church assembly, or even non-official preaching (supposedly authorized by an elder).
Knowing about Strauch’s background is helpful here. He pastored Littleton Bible Chapel near Denver, Colorado, for forty years. This church comes from the Plymouth Brethren background. In their services they have an open, spontaneous time for men of the church (not just elders) to contribute a song, a word, a lesson, or lead a prayer. At this time their women are covered and asked to remain silent. This time is moderated by the elders, and charismata is (I believe) not welcomed. After this open time a more traditional expository sermon is delivered.
Strauch expounds the moral and gifting qualifications of Titus 1 and 1 Timothy 3. He insists that the office must be open to “all in the church who are called by the Holy Spirit and meet the apostolic qualifications.” (75) He notes the failure of churches to ask probing questions about the private life of candidates.
Candidates must be sound in doctrine. They must be seasoned in their knowledge of Scripture and settled in their convictions. They must also have an ability to teach. Ideally all this training is to take place in one’s own home and in one’s own church.
Strauch labors to show that the gathering of elders from Antioch, Jerusalem, or Ephesus never implies an authoritative council of leaders who presided over multiple churches within the city. His aim is to avoid the notion that each leader came from a different church. He wants to reinforce both the plurality of elders and the autonomy of local churches. I believe Strauch can maintain plurality of elders in autonomous local churches without arguing that the elders represented single city megachurches.
Strauch emphasizes the familial nature of local churches. There is a shared brotherhood that puts the official nature of eldership into context, attenuating the honor-system, enjoying the equality of brotherhood, even while maintaining real distinctions of shepherds and non-shepherds.
Strauch comes decidedly against strict congregationalism: “The New Testament does not indicate that the congregation governs itself by majority vote, and there is no evidence that God has granted every member one equal vote with every other member.” (307) Yet he stresses the importance of elders involving the whole church in major decisions, as well as in the vetting and installation of new elders.
For Strauch “ordination” is a congregation’s affirmation of God’s calling and gifting of a qualified candidate, typically but not necessarily symbolized through the laying of hands. Authority is not conferred by the congregation onto the candidate, yet the official status has a real beginning. The event signals the beginning of a shepherd’s official relationship with the congregation. This affirmation seems specific to a local church and is not broad to a denomination, though it may be respected beyond the local church.
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