Can A Plurality Of Elders Work?

[Scott Hutchinson]

And when they had ordained them elders in every church ,and had prayed with fasting,they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed.ACTS 14:23
Can a Plurality Of Elders function as leadership in a local church or it something that can't function in the church today?

I say absolutely not if they are trying to be equals in power. There must be an ultimate authority and head. I am not against a multitude of counsel however. Of course, I am also seeing this from the ugly end of some elders who usurped power...

[Scott Hutchinson]

Originally Posted by DJElkins

I say absolutely not if they are trying to be equals in power. There must be an ultimate authority and head. I am not against a multitude of counsel however. Of course, I am also seeing this from the ugly end of some elders who usurped power...

Thank you Bro.Jelkins.Could a Bishop and then a plurality of Elders under him work as to shoulder the load of ministry in a local assembly?

[Michael The Disciple]

Originally Posted by Scott Hutchinson

Thank you Bro.Jelkins.Could a Bishop and then a plurality of Elders under him work as to shoulder the load of ministry in a local assembly?

Problem with Bishop ruling over Elders is a Bishop and Elder are the same thing. Who says that the one Pastor system is working? Most Churches do not understand the foundations of the New Testament Faith. Most Churches dont believe in perfection and therefore do not teach it.

Are the Saints in todays Churches being made perfect in Christ? Plurality of Elders at least IS scriptural where one Pastor Churches are not. Someone post a New Testament scripture that mentions one man being the Pastor of an assembley.

[Scott Hutchinson]

Originally Posted by Michael The Disciple

Problem with Bishop ruling over Elders is a Bishop and Elder are the same thing. Who says that the one Pastor system is working? Most Churches do not understand the foundations of the New Testament Faith. Most Churches dont believe in perfection and therefore do not teach it.

Are the Saints in todays Churches being made perfect in Christ? Plurality of Elders at least IS scriptural where one Pastor Churches are not. Someone post a New Testament scripture that mentions one man being the Pastor of an assembley.

I knew another view would be presented by someone.

[crakjak]

Originally Posted by Michael The Disciple

Problem with Bishop ruling over Elders is a Bishop and Elder are the same thing. Who says that the one Pastor system is working? Most Churches do not understand the foundations of the New Testament Faith. Most Churches dont believe in perfection and therefore do not teach it.

Are the Saints in todays Churches being made perfect in Christ? Plurality of Elders at least IS scriptural where one Pastor Churches are not. Someone post a New Testament scripture that mentions one man being the Pastor of an assembley.

I agree, the fact that a plurality of elders doesn't often work is evidence that leadership is in only the first stage of development. Immaturity and lack of vision is the primary issues. Children want their own way, mature adults should be able to come to a common vision thru the leadership of the Holy Spirit and work together. I do acknowledge that a lead elder is needed, however every leader in the church must be accountable to other leaders, simply with differing responsibilities. The lead elder "bishop", name is not as important as function, can be first among equals. The leadership team must do the hard work of defining the vision and committing to carrying it out, and make no mistake it is hard work. Is a marriage hard work, of course it is, but that doesn't mean we throw it out and just say it doesn't work. Nowhere in scripture will you find the single man leadership of the church, it is not biblical.

[Just a Shepherd]

Originally Posted by DJElkins

I say absolutely not if they are trying to be equals in power. There must be an ultimate authority and head. I am not against a multitude of counsel however. Of course, I am also seeing this from the ugly end of some elders who usurped power...

the ultimate authority is Jesus Christ. Your reasoning is why many elderships fail. Men still think they are the head of the church.

[ManOfWord]

Originally Posted by Scott Hutchinson

And when they had ordained them elders in every church ,and had prayed with fasting,they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed.ACTS 14:23
Can a Plurality Of Elders function as leadership in a local church or it something that can't function in the church today?

I personally know of a few men who have tried this. Their vision was to be equals and make decision together. It didn't work and jeopardized their relationships, not to mention the grief it caused the church. The only solution was for one of them to rise to the position of Sr. Pastor and the others to leave. It sounds good and idyllic, but it doesn't work.

[Just a Shepherd]

Originally Posted by ManOfWord

I personally know of a few men who have tried this. Their vision was to be equals and make decision together. It didn't work and jeopardized their relationships, not to mention the grief it caused the church. The only solution was for one of them to rise to the position of Sr. Pastor and the others to leave. It sounds good and idyllic, but it doesn't work.

It can and does work. The solution that you mentioned ("for one of them to rise to the position of Sr. Pastor and the others to leave") is completely contrary to the Bible. I doubt that it is a very healthy assembly if this kind of power struggle is going on - no wonder it didn't work.

[Scott Hutchinson]

Thank you MOW I have wondered about this?
But how did an Apostle in the early church sets Elders in every church ,when today Apostles setting men in churches is unheard of?