Biblical Eldership Quotes

“Since the local church is “the pillar and support of the truth” (1 Tim. 3:15b), its leaders must be rock-solid pillars of biblical doctrine or the house will crumble. Since the local church is also a small flock traveling over treacherous terrain that is infested with “savage wolves,” only those shepherds who know the way and see the wolves can lead the flock to its safe destination. An elder, then, must be characterized by doctrinal integrity.”
― Alexander Strauch, Biblical Eldership: An Urgent Call to Restore Biblical Church Leadership

“True elders do not command the consciences of their brethren, but appeal to their brethren to faithfully follow God’s Word. Out of love, true elders suffer and bear the brunt of difficult people and problems so that the lambs are not bruised.”
― Alexander Strauch, Biblical Eldership: An Urgent Call to Restore Biblical Church Leadership

“Renowned church historian and professor of Christian missions Kenneth Scott Latourette (1884-1968), when citing pagan influences on early Christianity, states that the Roman concepts of power and rule corrupted the organization and life of the early churches. He observes that “the Church was being interpenetrated by ideals which were quite contrary to the Gospel, especially the conception and use of power which were in stark contrast to the kind exhibited in the life and teaching of Jesus and in the cross and the resurrection.”
― Alexander Strauch, Biblical Eldership: An Urgent Call to Restore Biblical Church Leadership

“The eldership must clarify direction and beliefs for the flock. It must set goals, make decisions, give direction, correct failures, affect change, and motivate people. It must evaluate, plan, and govern. Elders, then, must be problem solvers, managers of people, planners, and thinkers.”
― Alexander Strauch, Biblical Eldership: An Urgent Call to Restore Biblical Church Leadership

“New Testament, Christianized elders are not mere representatives of the people; they are, as the passages above show, spiritually qualified shepherds who protect, lead, and teach the people. They provide spiritual care for the entire flock. They are the official shepherds of the church.”
― Alexander Strauch, Biblical Eldership: An Urgent Call to Restore Biblical Church Leadership

“In his remarkably penetrating booklet, The Mark of the Christian, Francis Schaeffer reminds us that the real issue to be dealt with in most of our conflicts is not the issue at hand but our lack of Christlike love toward our fellow Christians:”
― Alexander Strauch, Biblical Eldership: An Urgent Call to Restore Biblical Church Leadership

“Power is like saltwater; the more you drink the thirstier you get. The lure of power can separate the most resolute of Christians from the true nature of Christian leadership, which is service to others. It’s difficult to stand on a pedestal and wash the feet of those below.”
― Alexander Strauch, Biblical Eldership: An Urgent Call to Restore Biblical Church Leadership

“Authoritarianism is evil, anti-social, anti-human and ultimately anti-God (for self-deifying pride is at its heart), and I have nothing to say in its favor.11”
― Alexander Strauch, Biblical Eldership: An Urgent Call to Restore Biblical Church Leadership

“Christianity, the humblest of all faiths, degenerated into the most power-hungry and hierarchical religion on the face of the earth. After the emperor Constantine elevated Christianity to the status of a state religion in A.D. 312, the once-persecuted faith became a fierce persecutor of all its opposition.”
― Alexander Strauch, Biblical Eldership: An Urgent Call to Restore Biblical Church Leadership

“First, the Bible says that an elder must be of irreproachable moral character and capable in the use of Scripture because he is “God’s steward,” that is, God’s household manager (Titus 1:7). An elder is entrusted with God’s dearest and most costly possessions, His children. He thus holds a position of solemn authority and trust. He acts on behalf of God’s interests. No earthly monarch would dare think of hiring an immoral or incapable person to manage his estate. Nor would parents think of entrusting their children or family finances to an untrustworthy or incompetent person. So, too, the High and Holy One will not have an unfit, unqualified steward caring for His precious children.”
― Alexander Strauch, Biblical Eldership: An Urgent Call to Restore Biblical Church Leadership

“If the men are supposed to be the heads of the family, they must also be the heads of the community. The community must be structured in a way that supports the pattern of the family, and the family must be structured in a way that supports the pattern of the community.”
― Alexander Strauch, Biblical Eldership: An Urgent Call to Restore Biblical Church Leadership

“If the men are supposed to be the heads of the family, they must also be the heads of the community. The community must be structured in a way that supports the pattern of the family, and the family must be structured in a way that supports the pattern of the community”
― Alexander Strauch, Biblical Eldership: An Urgent Call to Restore Biblical Church Leadership

“When pride comes, then comes dishonor, but with the humble is wisdom” (Prov. 11:2;”
― Alexander Strauch, Biblical Eldership: An Urgent Call to Restore Biblical Church Leadership

“If we want to understand Christian elders and their work, we must understand the biblical imagery of shepherding. As keepers of sheep, New Testament elders are to protect, feed, lead, and care for the flock’s many practical needs.”
― Alexander Strauch, Biblical Eldership: An Urgent Call to Restore Biblical Church Leadership

“the New Testament offers more instruction regarding elders than on other important church subjects such as the Lord’s Supper, the Lord’s Day, baptism, or spiritual gifts. When you consider the New Testament’s characteristic avoidance of detailed regulation and church procedures (when compared to the Old Testament), the attention given to elders is amazing.”
― Alexander Strauch, Biblical Eldership: An Urgent Call to Restore Biblical Church Leadership