Gospel Eldership Quotes

“If the gospel truly is “the power of God for salvation” (Romans 1:16) and is constantly “bearing fruit and growing” within us (Colossians 1:6 niv), then elders must be strong in the gospel. They must know their own heart idolatry and how the good news of the gospel applies to it. And they must have a sense of “gospel fluency” so that they can swiftly, effectively, and clearly apply the gospel to others.”
― Robert H. Thune, Gospel Eldership: Equipping a New Generation of Servant Leaders

“God designed men and women to complement one another as his image-bearers (Genesis 1:26–31; 2:15–25), and his design includes differing roles for men and women in the home and in the church (1 Timothy 2:11–3:5). Men are given the responsibility of headship in the home and in the church, which means that the office of elder-pastor is to be filled by men.”
― Robert H. Thune, Gospel Eldership: Equipping a New Generation of Servant Leaders

“An elder is not merely a faithful, reliable Christian who shows up to meetings and votes. Rather, an elder sets the pace for the rest of the church. Elders are leaders of strength, wisdom, and integrity, whose lives and character are worthy of being imitated and reproduced in every Christian.”
― Robert H. Thune, Gospel Eldership: Equipping a New Generation of Servant Leaders

“An elder is a pacesetter. The elders of the New Testament churches were not mere figureheads; they were leaders, pacesetters, and disciple-makers. Scripture sees elders as competent, committed, mature leaders who teach (1 Timothy 3:2), rebuke (Titus 1:9), rule (1 Timothy 5:17), guard sound doctrine (Titus 1:9), do evangelism (Titus 1:8), deal with difficult people (Titus 1:10–14), and raise up other leaders (2 Timothy 2:2).”
― Robert H. Thune, Gospel Eldership: Equipping a New Generation of Servant Leaders

“One office—the office of local church elder—is referred to under three titles: elder, pastor, and overseer/bishop. Some elders may serve the church full time (those we usually call “pastors”), while other elders may serve as lay volunteers. But biblically speaking, elders are pastors and pastors are elders.”
― Robert H. Thune, Gospel Eldership: Equipping a New Generation of Servant Leaders