Heed The Watchmen: A Study On The Work Of Elders

Misconceptions About Elders

There are three Greek words in the New Testament that describe the position of “elder.” These words are presbureros (elder or presbyter), episcopos (overseer or bishop), and poimen (shepherd or pastor) and can be found in 1 Peter 5:1-3. While the eldership’s work is defined by all these words, it can be tempting to us to view them only as “overseers.” We may believe their job is just looking out for the business of the church, its functions, and practicing the authority that God has given them. But it’s important to remember that while God has made them overseers, He also calls them to be shepherds watching out for His sheep. In this way, elders are like watchmen, carefully on the lookout for any potential threats to the church. In Ezekiel 33:1-6, God calls Ezekiel to be a watchman over Israel and explains to him his duty.

The word of the Lord came to me: 2 “Son of man, speak to your people and say to them, If I bring the sword upon a land, and the people of the land take a man from among them, and make him their watchman, 3 and if he sees the sword coming upon the land and blows the trumpet and warns the people, 4 then if anyone who hears the sound of the trumpet does not take warning, and the sword comes and takes him away, his blood shall be upon his own head. 5 He heard the sound of the trumpet and did not take warning; his blood shall be upon himself. But if he had taken warning, he would have saved his life. 6 But if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet, so that the people are not warned, and the sword comes and takes any one of them, that person is taken away in his iniquity, but his blood I will require at the watchman's hand.

Elders, Shepherds, Watchmen

The elders of the church are our watchmen. The main task of the eldership is to protect us from error and wickedness and promote godliness. As “elders” they have had much time to grow in the Lord’s word and know how to handle it. They know the dangers that can come and, as good watchmen do, will warn us when they do. As sheep under the authority God has placed on the elders, we must listen to them. Peter commands us to be subject to the elders and to be humble because God opposes the proud (1 Peter 5:5). Because of what the job requires and what character is required to be an elder, our watchmen are always going to be looking out for our best interests. Perhaps their warnings will even prevent our spiritual deaths (Ezek 33:5).

To our elders I write to thank you for your work as watchmen and to exhort you to keep up the good work. I praise God that you’ve taken on this responsibility. “And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory” (1 Peter 5:4). God bless you all today!

In Christ,

Zack