Category Archives: Leadership

What happens when sheep have no shepherd.  

What’s the difference between a shepherd, overseer, and an elder? I’ve had a number of questions in the comments and in private emails asking me to explain the differences among the three terms for elder: * Shepherd or pastor (same … Continue reading →

So what do we do with bad elders — men who have no business being elders? And how should the congregation respond to a bad decision by good elders? Bad elders No elder is perfect, and all elderships will make mistakes. But … Continue reading →

Jesus Now, what does Jesus say about elders? Quite a lot, actually. First, Jesus himself is referred to a “shepherd” several times, most importantly in — (John 10:11-16 ESV)  11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down … Continue reading →

Grizz wrote, Why do you think there is so often such a blind spot that insists that elders MUST HAVE authority when there is nary a word in the NT about such a thing??? Amazed and amused and saddened into … Continue reading →

Peter Peter was an elder. Evidently, the apostles of Jerusalem came to adopt “elder” as their own title, indicating their leadership over the city of God on earth, I suppose. Or perhaps they wanted a more equal relationship with the … Continue reading →

Paul’s farewell discourse Paul’s farewell discourse to the elders in Ephesus speaks to their duties — (Act 20:28-30 ESV) 28 “Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to … Continue reading →

Charles McLean asks, My question is, how did we come up with all this stuff that requires centralized rule? Jason Stockton asks, Jay, I wanted to encourage you to go at it again.  Give us a perspective that comes from … Continue reading →

A reader asks, Have you written on the issue of elder-led vs. the lead pastor model?  At work, I’m a big believer in the sole leader — follow or get out of the way — model.  I’m not sure that’s what God had … Continue reading →