Why Baptist Churches Should Move Back to a Plurality of Elders

This is a follow up to a blog entitled “Why Baptist Churches Moved Away from a Plurality of Elders.” In this blog, I would like to address reasons Baptist churches moved away from elders and their move back.

First and foremost, among the ideas of why Baptist churches should move back to a plurality of elders is because the Word of God makes clear church leadership/polity.

The Bible Clarifies Leadership

In the middle of the qualifications for elders, you find these verses:

1 Timothy 3:4–5 

[4] He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, [5] for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God’s church?  

Elders are to manage their homes well, helping his children follow his example. If they cannot lead their home, then they cannot lead the church. If their home is not of great care, then the church will not be. Elders lead. They work to care for and manage the church.

Additionally, elders are called to shepherd and be an example:

1 Peter 5:1–4

[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. [4] And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.  

Elders in the leadership of the church are necessary, but a plurality? Many ask what would be wrong with one pastor and others helping? Here the Bible speaks:

Acts 14:23

And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed.

Acts 20:17

Now from Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called the elders of the church to come to him.

Titus 1:5

This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you.

One can see elder in plural and church/town in singular. Every church should be led by a plurality of elders. In the clarity of Scripture, Baptists need to conform to the truth of the Word.

A Plurality Produces Help/Unity

No single elder contains all the spiritual gifts needed to lead the church well. We are a body with many members; therefore it makes sense that we have a leadership group of qualified men to lead the church. Those men can both help through unique giftings and work together for common alignment. Having a plurality of elders provides more relational engagement and shepherding that one person cannot do on their own. Many hands help make the work light.

A Plurality Halts Rogue Leaders and Members

Many times, church pain comes from leaders that are in ultimate power with little accountability. Or church pain in the life of a pastor can come from isolation and attack by angry members. A plurality of elders helps to halt self-willed or selfish leaders from taking the church and others down a bad path. Having a multitude of counselors and voices provides more clarity and accountability to the elders. At the same time isolated pastors could have more wisdom or care when attacked by frustrated members. Who do single pastors turn to when things are hard? Where do they go to have someone shoulder the burden?

A Plurality Protects Against Pragmatism or Poor Polity Models

Many churches without biblically qualified elders are prone to pragmatism. Pragmatism is doing what works or seems to work. The Bible is looked at as a text to teach but not a revelation to guide the church. A single pastor may be torn in a leadership decision or determination of programming with pressure for a win or increase of turnout. All that pressure mounts upon the single elder and can move them to seek only what works. That risk is heightened when the elder is being paid and fears losing their job. A plurality helps share the load, assess the Bible in community and make a decision, aware of the risks and responsibilities shared among a few.

Some church denominations have teaching or ruling elders. Other churches have deacons or a board in leadership. Often, these are substituted in to provide responses to the concerns above. But when you inspect the Word, you will find two offices within the church: elders and deacons. Both in plurality and both to provide for the various needs of the church. Don’t let bad leadership or models be the reason one does not seek plural elders.

Much more could be said about Baptists and plural eldership but let us be led by the Word to pursue a church leadership that lifts from Scripture.

Coming Next

A three-part series, shared over the next month, on elders' tasks.

-Pastor John Richardson