Where Are the Elders?
by Brad Harrub, Ph.D.
Walk into many congregations today and ask a simple question: “Do you have elders?”
Far too often, the answer is the same: “No…not yet.”
Sometimes that answer has been given for 10 years…20 years…even 40-50 years.
But that should cause us to pause and ask a very serious question: How did the early church appoint elders so quickly, yet many congregations today cannot find them after decades? Something isn’t right.
The First-Century Pattern:
The church began in Acts 2, around AD 30 (33). Within a relatively short period of time, elders were already functioning in the church in Jerusalem. By the time we reach Acts 11, the disciples are sending relief to the elders in Jerusalem. Not apostles only—elders.
Even more striking is what happened on the first missionary journey. When Paul the Apostle and Barnabas established congregations in places like Lystra and Iconium, they didn’t leave those churches in a perpetual state of congregational business meetings. Instead, Acts 14:23 says they “appointed elders in every church.”
Think about that.
Those congregations had only existed a short time, yet they already had qualified men who could serve. Contrast that with today. Many congregations have existed for half a century and still say, “We just don’t have men who qualify.”
How is that possible?
The Qualifications Are a Target for Every Christian Man:
Consider, for just a moment, the qualifications of elders given in I Timothy 3 and Titus 1. The Lord describes the kind of men who must shepherd His people. Look at some of the character traits given in Scripture:
- Above reproach
- Self-controlled
- Hospitable
- Gentle
- Not greedy
- Able to teach
- Loves what is good
- Just
- Holy
- Disciplined
These should not be characteristics found only in the "elite." These are the qualities every Christian man should be striving to develop. Yes, some qualifications involve circumstances—being married and having faithful children. And I know the home is a proving ground. But the character traits listed there should be the goal of every godly man in the church!
If a congregation goes 30 years without elders, the real question is not, “Why don’t we have elders?” The real question is: "Why have we not been producing godly men?"
The Uncomfortable Reality:
Sadly, I suspect there is a reason some congregations never appoint elders—and it is uncomfortable to say out loud. Some men (and their wives) simply do not want to give up control. In many congregations, the “men’s business meeting” has become the governing structure. Decisions are made by vote. Budgets are debated. Plans are approved. And some men like it that way.
But the New Testament never presents congregational democracy as God’s design for leadership. God’s plan was clear: qualified shepherds leading the flock. I have never heard a men's business meeting discussing shepherding souls. It's always about budgetary concerns, whether to hire a certain preacher, paint colors, etc. When men resist appointing elders because they enjoy making decisions, they are not protecting the church—they are standing in the way of God’s design. God expected godly men to feed the flock!
We Have Confused Businessmen with Shepherds:
- Is he successful?
- Does he run a business?
- Is he good with finances?
- Does he manage people well?
Those skills may be helpful, but they are not the primary qualifications. The Bible never says elders must be good businessmen. It says they must be able to teach, hold fast to the faithful word, and shepherd the flock. Peter told the elders to “shepherd the flock of God” (I Peter 5:2). That language describes spiritual care, not corporate leadership.
What the church desperately needs are not board members. We need shepherds who know the Word of God.
The Training Ground Has Been Neglected:
Here is perhaps the most convincing part of this discussion. Congregations that go 20–30 years without elders are revealing something deeper: they are not intentionally training young men to lead. Young men should grow up seeing:
- What godly leadership looks like.
- How to study Scripture deeply.
- How to shepherd hurting people.
- How to lead their families spiritually.
They should be encouraged to aspire to the work. After all, I Timothy 3:1 says, “If a man desires the office of a bishop, he desires a good work.”
But if no one is mentoring them…
If no one is training them…
If no one is setting that vision before them…
Why would we expect them to be ready someday?
The Church Deserves Shepherds:
The church belongs to Jesus Christ. Scripture says He purchased it with His own blood. That means the leadership structure He designed is not optional.
Congregations should be asking:
- Are we developing godly men?
- Are we teaching young men to love Scripture?
- Are we preparing future shepherds?
Because the truth is simple. If a congregation goes decades without elders, it is not just a leadership issue. It is a discipleship issue.
Time for a Change:
Imagine what would happen if every congregation started intentionally training young men to become shepherds. Imagine young men growing up thinking: “One day, I want to help shepherd God’s people.”
Imagine churches led not by business meetings but by wise, humble, Bible-saturated shepherds. That was the pattern of the first century. And it can be the pattern again—if we decide that producing godly shepherds is more important than maintaining the status quo.
The church doesn’t need more managers.
The church needs shepherds.
