Within the realm of evangelical churches, many types of leadership structures exist. Some churches are led by groups outside the local body who exercise oversight over a group of churches. Other churches are led within the local congregation by committees or groups, while still other churches are led by pastors and staff.

At FCL, we are an elder-led church. The elders at FCL meet the qualifications of Biblical eldership found in 1 Timothy 3:1-ff and Titus 1:5-ff. Elders are not required to be members of the pastoral staff, nor or those members of the pastoral staff all elders. Those meeting the qualification of elder have undergone a period of training, discipleship, and questioning, in order to confirm their serving in the role of elder.

The role of elder at FCL is to provide spiritual oversight to the church, caring for the church of God, protecting the body from false teachers and those perverting the truth of God. (Acts 20:25-35.) Elders serve the church by praying diligently, teaching faithfully, and loving the body selflessly. The role of elder is very much the role of pastor, and those serving as elders at FCL are frequently seen teaching small groups, preaching on Sunday morning, counseling members of the congregation, visiting those in the hospital, and performing the role of shepherding the congregation.

The elder’s life should be one of public example to the church, not of perfection, but of humble devotion to the Lord in spiritual maturity and a striving toward purity in all areas. They lead the church by serving under the model provided in the word of God and by ministering the word of God to the congregation. By ministering the word of God, they seek to be servants of Christ, nourishing the congregation on the words of faith and sound doctrine, which they themselves follow (1 Tim. 4:6). This sometimes means that the difficult responsibility of refuting those who contradict is a component of biblical eldership (Titus 1:9); however, such obligation is rooted in love for the church and love for Christ. Dealing with sin within the church is a responsibility of all members of the body of Christ, not only those serving as elders, and is described in the teaching of Jesus in Matthew 18:15-ff.
As a church, we earnestly strive to follow Hebrews 13:17, seeking to submit to those leaders that God has entrusted over the congregation. As the Bible describes here, these will give an account for the souls under their care. As a result, we desire that they are able to serve as elders, “with joy and not with grief.”

Realizing this is only a brief overview of biblical eldership, any of the elders at FCL would value the opportunity to describe biblical eldership in more detail and answer any questions you might have. Those serving as elders, and their contact information, are reflected under the contact section of this document. You can also access teaching on biblical eldership through the church website sermon archive.

The term “elder”:
1. When most Christians hear of church elders, they think of lay church officials, committeemen, executives, policymakers, or advisors to the pastor. They do not expect church elders to teach the Word or be involved pastorally in the lives of people. According to the New Testament concept, elders lead the church, teach and preach the Word, protect the church from false teachers, exhort and admonish the saints in sound doctrine, visit the sick and pray, and judge doctrinal issues. To use biblical terminology, elders shepherd, oversee, lead, and care for the local church. Therefore, to communicate accurately the New Testament concept of eldership, it is necessary to explain that the New Testament term elder means “pastor elder,” “shepherd elder,” or “pastor.”
Elder qualifications:
- Above reproach; the husband of one wife; temperate; prudent; respectable; hospitable; able to teach; not addicted to wine; not pugnacious; gentle; peaceable; free from the love of money; manages His household well; not a new convert; having a good reputation with those outside the church; having children who believe; not self-willed; not quick-tempered; not fond of sordid gain; hospitable; a lover of what is good; sensible; just; devout; self-controlled; holds fast to the faithful word; not shepherding under compulsion, but voluntarily; not shepherding for sordid gain, but with eagerness; not lording it over the flock, but proving to be an example. (1 Tim. 3:2-7; Ti. 1:6-9; 1 Pet. 5:1-3)
The elders’ obligations to the congregation:
- As stewards, elders are entrusted with the oversight of the church family; they are to be examples to the flock as they humbly resolve problems in the congregation. As shepherds, they must stand guard over the congregation on behalf of Christ who purchased His people with His blood. (Acts 20:28; Ti. 1:7; 1 Pet. 5:3)
The congregation’s obligations to its elders:
- A congregation is instructed to respect its elders, appreciating and esteeming them highly in love for their oversight and hard work for the congregation and the Lord. They are called to honor those who excel in shepherding, teaching, and preaching, supporting those who devote themselves fulltime to the Lord’s word. The congregation is to follow their elders, imitating their way of life and faith; obeying and submitting to elders and so making their work a joy rather than a burden; to guard the reputation of their elders, protecting them from false accusations; and praying for the elders. (1 Thess. 5:12-13, 17, 25; 1 Tim. 3:10; 5:17, 22; Heb. 13:7, 17)

The above outline comes from Alexander Strauch's "Biblical Eldership: An Urgent Call to Biblical Church Leadership," 2003.

What we Believe

STATEMENT OF FAITH

DISTINCTIVES