The Edge Church exercises biblical eldership as its form of church governance. New elders are chosen by existing elders, as opposed to being elected by the congregation by popular or majority vote. Once a new elder has been identified by The Edge eldership, the congregation is invited to affirm the appointment, or voice concerns. Only after concerns (if any) have been adequately addressed may the new elder be officially confirmed.
No specific term of office is set for elders of The Edge Church. Our elders submit and are accountable to one another regarding their ability to lead and minister according to the standards for eldership outlined in scripture. This being the case, an elder may be removed from office for either of the following two reasons:
An elder may willingly withdraw himself if he is unable to lead and minister according to the standards of eldership outlined in scripture.
An elder may be asked to step down if the remaining elders unanimously agree that the individual is unable to lead and minister according to the standards of eldership outlined in scripture.
The eldership of The Edge Church undergoes a yearly assessment process with the goal of reaffirming the status of its members. It is during this process that the eldership is confirmed for the coming year, or necessary changes are identified. As shepherds of The Edge Church, the eldership team always reserves the right to make justifiable leadership changes at any time for the good of the community.
The Edge Church holds that biblical eldership is for men alone. For more information, please see our statements on the theological distinctive of complementarianism and The Role of Women at The Edge Church.
BIBLICAL GUIDELINES FOR ELDERS
According to the New Testament, elders are responsible for the primary leadership and oversight of a church. The primary functions of elders outlined in scripture are:
Lead the church (1 Tim. 5:17; Titus 1:7; 1 Peter 5:1-2)
Teach and preach the Word (1 Tim. 3:2; 2 Tim. 4:2; Titus 1:9)
Protect the church from false teachers (Acts 20:17, 28-31)
Exhort and admonish the saints in sound doctrine (1 Tim. 4:13; 2 Tim. 3:13-17; Titus 1:9)
Pray for the sick (James 5:14; Acts 20:35)
Judge doctrinal issues (Acts 15:1-6)
Oversee finances (Titus 1:7)
Additionally, The Edge Church looks to 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9 as the outline of biblical qualifications for elders, with the term “above reproach” (Titus 1:6, 7; 1 Tim 3:2) being the overarching, summarizing characteristic. Similar (but not identical) lists are given in 1 Timothy and again in Titus. Living a life above reproach is the first requirement in both lists, and Titus repeats it. The other items on the list explain what “above reproach” means. If we combine the two lists—along with an addition from 1 Peter—we find 17 qualifications of an elder who is above reproach.
1. An elder must be devoted to his wife; a one-woman man (Titus 1:6; 1 Tim 3:2).
The elder’s marriage illustrates Christ’s love for His church—His bride (Eph. 5:22 ff.). An elder must love his wife exclusively with his mind, will and emotions and not just his body.
2. An elder’s children must be in submission, though not perfect (Titus 1:6; 1 Tim 3:4-5).
If a man does not know how to manage his own family, he will not know how to take care of God’s church. The first flock for an elder is his own family as Elder Dad. An elder’s qualification for the church starts in his home management as he leads them up in the discipline and admonition of the Lord (Eph. 6:4).
3. An elder must be a faithful steward (Titus 1:7).
Here the term used is overseer (Greek episkopos). It is not another office, but a functional title of the elder. It is what he does. He is a steward, a manager of God’s resources and Jesus’ flock. He takes responsibility, but not ownership.
4. An elder must be humble, not arrogant (Titus 1:7).
An elder must constantly demonstrate the gospel by admitting when he is wrong and assuming responsibility and restoring relationships.
5. An elder must be gentle, not quick-tempered (Titus 1:7; 1 Tim 3:3).
No man will be of any use in the kingdom that is quick-tempered. The difference between how Jesus demonstrated anger is that He was angry at the abuse of others in the name of religion and the dishonoring of God. We get angry at how it affects us.
6. An elder must be sober, not a drunkard (Titus 1:7; 1 Tim 3:3).
This is not just overindulgence in alcohol but is idiomatic for any behavior that fuels addictive responses.
7. An elder must be peaceful, not violent (Titus 1:7; 1 Tim 3:3).
Eldership places pastors (and leaders in general) in a unique position to cause harm through what they say. Elders are to be peacemakers.
8. An elder must have financial integrity, not greedy for gain (Titus 1:7; 1 Tim 3:3; 1 Peter 5:3).
An elder is to be upright in his financial dealings and not accused of pursuing money over the kingdom of God.
9. An elder must be hospitable (Titus 1:8; 1 Tim 3:2).
An elder’s home is to be open for others to enjoy. A pastor’s home is not a heaven on earth, but rather a place of ministry.
10. An elder must be a lover of good (Titus 1:8).
An elder genuinely loves what is good. He does not just think he should love it, and he certainly doesn’t love what is bad.
11. An elder must be self-controlled (Titus 1:8; 1 Tim 3:2).
Self-control is a characterization of every area of an elder’s life: diet, time, mouth, exercise, relationships, sex, and money.
12. An elder must be upright (Titus 1:8).
He has integrity in his relationships and in how he treats others.
13. An elder must be holy (Titus 1:8).
His life is devoted wholeheartedly to Jesus externally and internally.
14. An elder must be able to teach (Titus 1:9; 1 Tim 3:2).
All of the other qualifications are character qualities. This is the only ability-based requirement. He is to be able to teach sound doctrine, not just be able to communicate in an excellent manner. His teaching can be to one or two, to twenty, to a hundred, or to a thousand. Most of the churches in Crete were house churches. The elders were to defend the faith once delivered to the saints against the numerous false teachers that arose.
15. An elder must be spiritually mature (1 Tim 3:6).
Positions of authority without spiritual maturity lead to the trap of pride. When pride grows in a man, sin abounds.
16. An elder must be respectable (1 Tim 3:7).
That does not mean that everyone must like him or even appreciate him. It means that there is no credible witness to an ongoing sinful behavior.
17. An elder must be an example to the flock (1 Peter 5:3).
Elders are examples of Biblical expressions sexually, time management, marriage, parenting, worship, relationships and any other way. An elder should be someone your sons could pattern their life after and the kind of man your daughter should marry.
ELDER ACCOUNTABILITY AND CRISIS MANAGEMENT
The elders of The Edge Church affirm the need for accountability regarding limitations inherent in self-governance (e.g., crisis situations that involve elders). The Edge Church therefore partners with an External Advisory Board (EAB) to help address and navigate these situations, should they arise.