Why Baptist Churches Moved Away from a Plurality of Elders

“Elder” is an uncommon title for those in Baptist churches who are in leadership. Why is that? What happened that caused Baptist churches to move away from the title “elder,” the plurality of the role in leadership, and why do we need to make our way back?

“Elder” in the Bible

“Elder” in the Bible is often interchanged with pastor/bishop/overseer. We see a number of biblical texts that use the term “elder.” Sometimes in the Old and New Testaments you will see “elder” used to describe chronological age, but we are not referring to that usage. We are talking about the use of the term “elder” as it is applied to an office of the church.

1 Peter 5:1–3

[1] 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:[2] 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;[3] not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock.

Acts 20:28

[28] Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood.

Here you can see the role of elder as an office of the church and used to care for others. One could easily turn to 1 Timothy to see the qualifications of elders.

The New Testament seems to make a case for the term “elder,” and it is often exchanged with the terms used above. Now on to the pressing questions: why did Baptist churches stop using the idea of elder and their plurality?

Are We Presbyterian?

I believe many Baptist pastors saw the elder-ruled model in the Presbyterian churches and thought that domination (although not practiced in all presbyterian life) was incompatible with congregationalism. Baptists wanted answers to how the church, as the autonomous and final court of appeals, served in affirming the faith of confessors. Many Baptists believed they would have to fire their congregation in decision-making or affirmation by vote with a plurality of elders. When Baptist pastors saw the leadership model of their Presbyterian friends, they shifted away from any leadership except within the congregation.

Congregationalism in Autonomy

Many Baptist churches have historically been congregationally focused in decision making and as the authority to bind and loose (more on that later). Therefore, many Baptist churches moved away from a plurality of elders to a single elder (maybe some advisors) and the congregation voting. I believe the congregation is not in competition with the elders for leadership. Instead, many should see the model of elder led congregationalism, where elders are called to lead, and the church affirms (maybe even denies) the decision making. Every church has a line of what to vote upon, but we can all agree it should not be as narrow as the color of the carpet…even if it is green.

Rise of the CEO Pastor

Some churches have become more business driven than ministry driven. The pastor’s time is consumed by capital campaigns, org charts, policies, and staff management. Now some of these things are going to happen in the life of the church, but the pastor is more than a shot caller from the top. The lead elder must teach, visit, share leadership, guard/protect, and many other things that CEOs do not have to do. They are leaders, but they are among the sheep.

Not Enough Qualified Men

One of the final reasons that elders began to fade in the 19th century in Baptist life is the feeling that not many were qualified to lead and shepherd according to Titus 1 or Timothy. Part of that could have been due to the shift to revivalism (again another can of worms not to be opened) or a move away from intentional discipleship. No matter the root cause, it seems that churches look around and believe that few would qualify for the role. That should cause elders to pause and ask what their investment of time is producing, instead of shifting from the biblical pattern of leadership.

Conclusion

These are simply some of the reasons many Baptist churches have shifted from a plurality of elders to another model. Each church would have to chronicle their own path to see why a shift has been made. Seeing the biblical pattern of plural elders among the church in leadership means we need to be open to return to that polity in mass.

Coming Next

Part 2 of this discussion will be on why Baptist churches should move back to a plurality of elders.

-Pastor John Richardson