In a dramatic and heartfelt Monday morning presentation to the 200 elders present (or connected via the Internet) at the General Conference of Elders on May 16, director of Ministerial and Member Services Victor Kubik covered four guiding principles of authentic biblical eldership.

The four principles related to effective shepherding of God’s flock are to feed, lead, meet the needs and protect.

1. 1. Feed—In John 21, Jesus Christ made a direct requirement of the apostle Peter, and by extension all elders, saying three times, “Feed My sheep.” This includes providing spiritual help, sound Biblical instruction and a mature perspective on eternal truths. The one attribute unique to elders, when comparing the qualifications of elders and deacons in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus, is the ability to teach. “There will come a time when your teaching will be tested, as the inevitable fires sweep through the church,” said Mr. Kubik. “Are you building with wood, hay and stubble, or with gold, silver and precious stones?"
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3. 2. Lead—As shepherds of the flock, elders should emulate the characteristics of biblical figures such as King David, who was known among other things as the human shepherd of Israel. David led Israel skillfully, with organization, management and character. As a shepherd after God’s own heart, David brought God’s people Israel to a position of national strength and preeminence. So too should the eldership lead their congregations decently and in order to reflect strength and stability.
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5. 3. Meet the needs—On a daily basis, elders have a biblical mandate (Acts 20:35 among others) to comfort the grieving, settle the double-minded and strengthen the weak. Whether serving as a paid career pastoral minister or a non-salaried elder, the shepherds of God’s Church all have an around-the-clock calling, and the brethren are counting on practical help in many ways as they make their way toward the Kingdom of God.
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7. 4. Protect—Again the example is of David, who took his life in his hands to rescue the sheep from the paw of the bear and the paw of the lion in 1 Samuel 17:34. Christ Himself warned of false prophets to be strongly resisted (Matthew 7:15), and one of the major duties of an elder is to rescue the sheep from predators, to stand in the gap and to go after the lost sheep (Luke 15:4). Hirelings will abandon the sheep when the going gets tough (John 10:12), but as Paul admonished the elders of Ephesus in Acts 20:29, a true shepherd will do fearless and unrelenting battle with the savage wolves whenever they attack. This is a matter of critical importance in true Biblical eldership.

In the conclusion of his presentation, Mr. Kubik charged all elders to make full proof of their ministry with vigilance, with love and with dedication to the chief Shepherd and to the flock of God.