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Elder (Christianity)

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InChristianity,anelderis a person who is valued forwisdomand holds a position of responsibility and authority in a Christian group. In some Christian traditions (e.g.,Eastern Orthodoxy,Roman Catholicism,Anglicanism,Methodism) anelderis anordainedperson who serves a local church or churches and who has been ordained to a ministry of word,sacramentand order, filling the preaching and pastoral offices. In other Christian traditions (e.g.,Presbyterianism,Churches of Christ,Plymouth Brethren), an elder may be alay personserving as an administrator in a local congregation, or be ordained and serving in preaching (teaching during church gatherings) or pastoral roles. There is a distinction between ordained elders and lay elders. The two concepts may be conflated in everyday conversation (for example, a lay elder in the Baptist tradition may be referred to as "clergy", especially in America). In non-Christian world cultures the term elder refers to age and experience,[1][2]and the Christian sense of elder is partly related to this.

Elders in the Bible[edit]

Elders are mentioned in a number of New Testament passages. Individuals such asJameshad a significant role in the Jerusalem church and theCouncil of Jerusalem.[3]In reference to churches inAntioch, Pisidia,Iconium,LystraandDerbe,Paul appoints elders[4]as a key step in organizing a new church and instructsTitusto appoint others.[5]Paul spoke directly to the elders inActs[6]and warned them to "be on guard for themselves and for all the flock, among which theHoly Spirithas made them overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. "[Acts 20:28]Thebook of Revelationidentifies twenty-four elders with white robes and golden crowns on their heads seated on thrones around the One seated on the throne (Rev. 4:4, 10–11).

Terminology[edit]

The Christian office of "elder" is drawn from the word's various uses in theBible.In many instances, particularly in theOld Testament,it has reference to the older men in a tribe, usually entrusted with the governmental affairs,[7]whose counsel was frequently sought because of their age and experience. This was not necessarily a priesthood calling,[8]although theAaronic Priesthoodis listed as having ordained elders.[9]In theSeptuagint,the word for Old Testament elders is πρεσβύτερος (presbuteros), as used in the New Testament for both Christian and Jewish leaders.[citation needed]Various traditions in Christianity translate the underlying term differently depending on their particular doctrinal or practical view of the role. In theMoravian Church,an elder is referred to as a Helper.[10]

In addition topresbuteros,there are two other words used in theNew Testamentto describe various aspects of this position of leadership: 'overseer' and 'shepherd':Peterdraws the three concepts together in one passage: "Therefore, I exhort theeldersamong you...shepherdthe flock of God among you,exercising oversight."[11]

Presbuteros[edit]

Presbuteros(πρεσβύτερος,Greek word #4245inStrong's Concordance) is the most commonly used term for elder in the New Testament, stemming frompresbus,elderly.[12]It is used with regard to thetwelve apostles,[citation needed]theseventy disciples[citation needed]or others acting in a specific role of authority in a local assembly of Christians. It is used twenty-eight times in theGospelsandActsof the members of the JewishSanhedrinand twelve times inRevelationof the representatives of the redeemed people of God. The remaining nineteen times the word is employed in Acts and theEpistles,it identifies the leaders in the local churches of the New Testament. While no specific age is given, the connotation of seniority and experience in this term emphasizes the nature of the position and the character of the person, implying maturity, dignity, experience and honor.[13][14]

Themodern Englishwords "priest"or"presbyter"are derivedetymologicallyfrompresbyteros.[15]

The New Testament meaning is taken by some scholars as the Latin wordLegatewhich describes the ancient classical function as aheraldwho represents the highest state office and might be a governor of a province.[16]

Episkopos[edit]

Episkopos(ἐπίσκοπος,Greek word #1985inStrong's Concordance) was a common word in the Greek culture for any official who acted as a superintendent, manager, overseer, controller, curator, guardian or ruler.[17]It occurs only five times in the New Testament, once referring toChrist[18]and the other four times to church leaders. TheAuthorised Versiontranslates the word as "bishop",emphasizing the function of an elder as exercising authority and supervision" by divine placement, initiative and design. "[13]The overseer can sometimes be viewed as a lead elder or as just one of a plurality of elders.

Poimen[edit]

Poimen(ποιμήν,Greek word #4166inStrong's Concordance) means shepherd,[19]also translated as pastor.[20]It is applied only once in the noun form and three times in the verb form in the New Testament in the context of church leaders. The term emphasizes the elder as one who tends, feeds, guides, protects and cares for his flock.[13]

Responsibilities of elders[edit]

TheNew Testamentoffers more instruction regarding elders than on many other important church subjects such as theLord's Supper,theLord's Day,baptismorspiritual gifts,[13]and their duties are laid out in several places. In the majority of the references, the word for elders is plural and word for church is singular,[21][22]suggesting that the pattern in the early church was for a plurality of elders in each local church.[23][24] These were to be shepherds to their flock, setting an example[25]- just like shepherds, they were to feed their flock,[26]to work hard among them and to reprove where necessary[27]and to care for the spiritual and physical needs of church members.[28]Elders are considered rulers over their flocks[29]and their judgement to be submitted to,[30]not so that they can be "lords over God's heritage,"[31]but because they are to give account to God for the spiritual character of their church.[30]

Elders must to be able to teach and preach sounddoctrineand rebuke those who are teaching error, so that false teaching doesn't creep into the church.[32]To this end, they are also to train and appoint others.[33]Above all, the elder is to serve with humility, remembering that their position is a picture ofChristas the chief shepherd.[34]

Qualifications[edit]

There are two key passages dealing with the qualifications of elders in the New Testament,1Timothy 3:1–7andTitus 1:6–9.[23]The qualifications given by the Apostle Paul are as follows:

  • Blameless as astewardof God, above reproach
  • Faithful husband to his wife
  • Temperate, sober, vigilant
  • Sober-minded, prudent
  • Of good behaviour, orderly, respectable
  • Given to hospitality
  • Able to teach
  • Not given to wine
  • Not violent, not pugnacious
  • Patient, moderate, forbearing, gentle
  • Uncontentious, not soon angry or quick-tempered
  • Not covetous, not a lover of money
  • Rules his own house well, his children are faithful, not accused of rebellion to God
  • Not a novice or new convert
  • Has a good rapport or reputation with outsiders
  • Not self-willed
  • A lover of what is good
  • Just, fair
  • Holy, devout
  • Self-controlled
  • Hold firmly to the faithful message as it has been taught

Elders in the early church[edit]

Where elders are addressed in the writings ofPauland Peter, there is no inference of amonarchical episcopacyor single leaders in any of the New Testament-era churches,[35]andpresbuterosandepiskoposare used interchangeably. This was still the case later in the century: the writings of theApostolic Fathers(such as1 Clementand theDidache) continue to assert the apostolic authority of the bishops/presbyters as rulers of the church making no distinction between the two terms. The epistle does imply a degree of authority residing in theBishop of Rome.[36][37]Writing c.199,Tertullianclaimed that Clement was ordained by Peter himself as bishop of Rome,[38]and although tradition identifies him as the fourthpope(afterLinusandAnacletus) the order is much disputed.[39]According to theLiber Pontificalis,Linus and Anacletus were ordained with responsibility for the church at Rome and Clement for the church as a whole[40]

Another of theApostolic Fathers,Ignatius of Antioch,records that many churches had single bishops by the beginning of the second century, although the church at Rome was not one of them.[41]This became the norm by the middle of the century.[42]Ignatius distinguished the relationship betweenbishop,presbytersanddiaconatetypologicallyand in doing so referred to the practice of a single bishop in a church, separated from the body of presbyters and deacons:

In like manner let all men respect the deacons as Jesus Christ, even as they should respect the bishop as being a type of the Father and the presbyters as the council of God and as the college of Apostles. Apart from these there is not even the name of a church.—Epistle of Ignatius to the Trallesians3:1.

Distinctions in practice[edit]

Church governanceis generally organised in one of three main types:

Anglicans[edit]

An ordainedAnglicanminister is usually called a priest, holding the prenominal of Reverend if they areLow churchor Sister or Father if they areHigh church.Lay preachers in the Anglican Communion are usually calledPastors,especially Chaplains and other pastoral office holders, who are not ordained but engage with a congregation or workplace in an advisory capacity. The title "Elder" is usually given to those Anglicans ministers who are not vicars, but hold a learned role within or beyond a congregation, such as a Reader who assists a priest or a Pioneer Minister who seeks to engage with those who are outside the traditionalAnglican Communionstructures.

Baptists[edit]

Main article:Baptists § Baptist beliefs and principles

Historically,Baptistchurches do not recognize elder as a separate office from those of pastor or deacon; it is commonly considered a synonym of deacon or pastor.[43]This is not universal in Baptist circles, however, and there are many Baptist churches which are elder-led. Others have elder councils where pastoral functions are shared according to gifts, such as teaching, management and pastoral care.[44]

Christadelphianism[edit]

Christadelphiansdo not appoint any form of clergy. Organisation is based on ecclesially accountable committees forevangelism,youth andSunday Schoolwork,military serviceissues, care of the elderly and humanitarian work. These do not have any legislative authority and are wholly dependent upon support from within the church. Women are typically not eligible to teach in formal gatherings of theecclesiawhen male believers are present, and do not sit on the main committees, however they do participate in other ecclesial and inter-ecclesial committees.

Churches of Christ[edit]

Main article:Churches of Christ § Congregational autonomy and leadership

Congregations referring to themselves asChurches of Christbelieve that local congregations should be led by a plurality of biblically qualified elders.[45][46]They base this on a conviction that congregations (and Christians in general) should attempt to follow the teachings of theNew Testamentwherever humanly possible.[47]In accordance with the teachings of the bible the Churches of Christ teach and practice that only males may serve as elders (female elders are not recognized), and must meet Biblical qualifications (generally I Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9 are the Biblical texts used to determine if a male is qualified to serve as elder).

In this regard, elders are accountable to each other and to God. The evangelist and the elders have the spiritual oversight of the congregation (e.g., withdrawing fellowship from a member who the elders consider to be wayward in doctrine or refuses to abide by the elders' counsel or decision in a matter) as well as administrative oversight (e.g., overseeing the congregation budget).

The elders will be assisted bydeaconswho, depending on the congregation, may have a specific area of non-spiritual service (e.g., finance, building and grounds, benevolence); the deacons are in all matters subservient to the elders. An elder may also be qualified to serve as a deacon (and, in some cases, may have previously served as a deacon before becoming an elder).

Depending on the congregation, the elders may rotate main preaching and teaching duties or appoint one or more male persons (who may or may not be elders) to serve as theministersfor that congregation. If one person is assigned main preaching duties, he is never referred to as "Father" (based on Matthew 23:9, which states that the only Father a Christian has is in Heaven), nor is the individual referred to as "pastor" (due to belief that the one reference to "pastor" in Ephesians 4:11 is translated "shepherd" in all other cases, and in context either refers to Jesus Christ or to an elder; as stated above the person with main preaching duties may or may not be an elder) or "reverend" (due to belief that the one reference to this term in Psalm 111:9 refers to the reverence of God's name). Instead, common terms used are "evangelist", "preacher", "minister" (or "pulpit minister"; the latter may be used if the congregation has assistant or associate ministers over certain programs or functions), or "preaching elder" (if the person is also an elder).

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints[edit]

Main article:Elder (Latter Day Saints)

Elders are male members ofthe Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saintswho have theMelchizedek Priesthoodand have been ordained to the office of elder, typically at the age of 18.[48]Malemissionariesof the Church,General AuthoritiesandArea Authority Seventiesare honorarily titled "Elder" unless they have duties (such as those of a Branch President) entitling them to be calledPresident.

The duties of the ordained elders in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are defined in the book ofDoctrine and Covenants.Elder is the proper title given to all holders of the Melchizedek Priesthood. Thus an apostle is an elder in this sense, and it is proper to speak of members of the Quorum of the Twelve or the First Quorum of the Seventy by this title.[49][full citation needed]

Church of Scotland[edit]

Main article:Ministers and elders in the Church of Scotland

Governance in theChurch of Scotlandis based onpresbyterian polity.There are several roles in the ministry includingministersof Word and Sacrament,chaplains,deaconsand readers. Elders are another role, which is voluntary and un-salaried elders. They are ordained for life by the minister andKirk Sessionof aparish,and carry outpastoraland local church government duties under the guidance of theminister.All elders are members of the Kirk session, and may train to chair the session, conduct funerals, preach and lead worship.[50]

Congregationalism[edit]

Main article:Congregational church

Congregational churchesobserve the office of elder. Early congregationalist standards held a fourfold view of ecclesiastical offices: pastor, teacher, ruling elder, and deacon.[51]In this view, pastor, techer, and ruling elder are all types of elder. Later exponents likeHenry Martyn Dexteradvocated a twofold view of only elder and deacon, the pastor/teacher, elder, and overseer being different terms for the same office.[52]The primary officer is ordinarily called the "pastor" or "minister." Ordination and installation of officers is a local event, without the oversight of elders outside of the local church as inpresbyterianism.

Congregational churches generally formcommitteesandboards,either entirely composed of elders and deacons or with non-official members appointed by the congregation.

Jehovah's Witnesses[edit]

Main article:Organizational structure of Jehovah's Witnesses § Elders

AmongJehovah's Witnesses,anelderis a man appointed to teach the congregation. He is also called an "overseer" or "servant". Elders within each congregation work within a "body of elders", several of whom are assigned to oversee specific congregational tasks. Each body of elders has a coordinator (previously known as the presiding overseer), a secretary, and a service overseer. Witnesses consider the office of elder to be the same as that referred to in the Bible as "older man" ( "presbyter"), overseer ("bishop"), and shepherd ("pastor") but do not use any of the terms astitles.

Representatives of theGoverning Body of Jehovah's Witnessesselect elders to be appointed as circuit overseers, (also referred to as traveling overseers). Each circuit overseer visits thecongregationsin his jurisdiction twice each year. During his visit, local elders recommend members who may qualify for appointment as elders orministerial servants(equivalent todeacons), and appointments are decided by the circuit overseer.[53]Congregation elders do not receive monetary compensation; traveling overseers receive a modest stipend.

Lutheranism[edit]

An Elder in theLutheran Churchis a position of lay-service, concerned with the temporal and administrative affair of the congregation. In many congregations, elders are also charged with oversight of the pastor but exercising only that oversight given to every Christian in the congregation.[54]They are also assigned to assist the pastor in thesacraments(theEucharistandBaptism). In the Eucharist, the Elder may assist in the distribution. In Baptism, the Elder may hold thewateror assist the pastor in other ways. Generally, an elder is not permitted toconsecratethe bread and wine in the Eucharist, or performHoly Absolution,as these acts are usually reserved for the pastor. An Elder helps brothers at each congregation.

However, many within the confessional wing of Lutheranism, see the term "elder" being used in such a way an unfortunate effect of Reformed (and broader Protestant) influence on the Lutheran Church. Elder (or Presbyteros, in the Greek) serving as a synonym for "Pastor" or "Priest", not unlike how Lutheran teaching also recognizes "episkopos" (Greek, meaning overseer), or bishop to be yet another synonym. Historic Lutheranism recognized a single office of Word and Sacrament being established directly by Christ (technically two, counting the uniquely Lutheran vocation of laity); all distinctions within nomenclature and structural ranking were purely "jure humano" (of human make). Thus making a distinction between "pastor" and "elder" would seem pointless, and using the term "lay elder" would be oxymoronic.

Methodism[edit]

Main article:Elder (Methodism)

AnElder- sometimes called a "Presbyter" - is someone who has beenordainedby abishopto the ministry of Word,Sacrament,Order, and Service. Their responsibilities are to preach and teach, preside at the celebration of the sacraments, administer the church through pastoral guidance, and lead the congregations under their care in service ministry to the world.[55]The office ofElder,then, is what most people tend to think of as thepastoral,priestly,clergyoffice within the church. Indeed, even a MethodistBishopis still an Elder who has been elected and consecrated by the laying on of hands to theofficeof Bishop (Bishop being understood as anofficewithin the Presbyterate,notanorderor separate level of ordination). In some of the denominations withinMethodism,ordinationto the office ofElderis open to both women and men, while in others, such as thePrimitive Methodist ChurchandEvangelical Wesleyan Church,it is only opened to men.[56][57]

Plymouth Brethren[edit]

Main article:Plymouth Brethren § No clergy

One of the key distinctions ofPlymouth Brethrenchurches is the total rejection of the concept ofclergy.[58]In keeping with the doctrine of thepriesthood of all believers,they view all Christians as being ordained by God to serve and therefore ministers. Leaders are chosen according to the qualifications found in1Tim 3:1–7andTitus 1:6–9,and appointed by the Holy Spirit.[26]Plymouth Brethren churches tend to have multiple elders based on the plural use of the word in reference to New Testament churches.

One branch of the Plymouth Brethren, theExclusive Brethren,are so named for their practice of serving the Lord's Supper exclusively to those who are part of their own particular group, agreeing with them on various doctrinal positions.[59]Most Exclusive Brethren groups believe the church to have been in ruins between the death of the apostles and their own time. Since no truly apostolic authority exists to appoint elders the church has none. Instead they recognize "leading brothers" who demonstrate maturity and leadership ability.[citation needed]

Presbyterianism[edit]

Main article:Presbyterian polity § Elder

Although practices in thePresbyterian Churchvary internationally, typically the church recognises three offices within church polity: theminister(alternately "teaching elder" or "pastor" ), a bench of ruling elders, anddeacons.[60]The elders are "ordained lay" people and form thesession,which is a ruling council for their congregation.

Rastafari[edit]

Members of theRastafari Movementoften refer to their experienced members as elders, such asJoseph Hibbert,Vernon Carrington,Leonard Howell,andMortimer Planno.

Radical Pietism[edit]

TheRadical Pietisticcommunities, such as theSchwarzenau Brethren,do not believe in theswearing of oathsand also resolve problems at the congregational level under church councils presided by elders, rather than in civil courts.[61]Members who sin openly are visited by the elders and encouraged to repent of their transgressions.[61]

Roman Catholic Church[edit]

Members of theCatholic Churchstill use the Greek wordPresbyter(πρεσβύτερος, presbuteros: "elder", or "priest" in Christian usage) to refer to priests (priest is etymologically derived from the Greek presbyteros via the Latin presbyter). Collectively, however, their "college" is referred to as the "presbyterium" (meaning "council of elders" ), "presbytery", or "presbyterate."

Thepresbyteriumis most visible during theordinationof new priests and bishops and theMass of the Chrism(the Mass occurring onMaundy Thursday) where the blessing of the oils used in the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, Anointing of the Sick, and Holy Orders takes place. They are also visible during other special liturgical functions such as the wake and burial of their bishop.

Seventh-day Adventist Church (SDA)[edit]

"Elder" was the only honorific title used to distinguish church leadership during the formative years of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.[62]Mrs. White, as in, Elder and Mrs. James White, is how the church's prophet, Ellen G. White, was universally referred to up until the late 20th century. The term "Elder" applies to both local church elders and to ordained ministers of the gospel. SDA nomenclature has never used the terms, priest, reverend or clergy as honorific titles or as work titles. For convenience "Pastor" is now regularly used to distinguish ordained ministers of the gospel from ordained local elders. SDA ordained Ministers of the Gospel are paid employees of the Seventh-day Adventist Church and they are required to also be Elders in the local church. Women can be ordained as local elders, but are not ordained as ministers of the Gospel. Women are commissioned as Pastors and are considered ministers of the Gospel. Men serving within the Adventist Church's organizational leadership, e.g. Local Conference/Union Conference/Division/General Conference offices are usually addressed as "Elder." But as an example; the current President of the General Conference, "Elder Ted Wilson" is sometimes addressed Pastor Ted Wilson.

Shakerism[edit]

Among theShakers,noted for their acceptance of females in leading roles, Elders and Eldresses were leaders in specific areas. Two Elders and Eldresses headed the central Shaker ministry at theMount Lebanon Shaker Societyand dealt with both spiritual and temporal matters. Other pairs of elders and eldresses headed groups of Shaker communities, while others were spiritual leaders of smaller groups within the communities.

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^The Human Elder in Nature, Culture, and Societyby David Gutmann, 1997, Westview Press,ISBN0-8133-2973-6,Preface
  2. ^Ahmad, IftikharWorld Cultures: a Global Mosaic(1993) Prentice Hall, page 14: "In cultures with extended families, respect for elders is strong. The elders pass on their wisdom to the young."
  3. ^Acts 11:30,15:2–6,15:22–23,16:4,21:18
  4. ^Acts 14:23
  5. ^Ti 1:5
  6. ^Acts 20:17
  7. ^Exod 3:16,4:29,12:21,Josh 7:6,Ruth 4:2
  8. ^Gen 50:7,Ruth 4:2,Matt 15:2,Acts 4:5
  9. ^Exod 24:9–11,Num 11:16
  10. ^"Moravian Moment # 8 - The role of the Helpers".The Moravian Church - Eastern West Indies Province.4 March 2007. Archived fromthe originalon 29 October 2013.
  11. ^1Pet 5:1–2
  12. ^Studylight.org, presbuteros
  13. ^abcdStrauch, A. (1995).Biblical Eldership.Lewis and Roth Publishers
  14. ^Huston, D. The New Testament EldersPresented to a symposium on Apostolic beliefs held at the Urshan Graduate School of Theology in Florissant, MO
  15. ^Webster's New World Dictionary of the American Language,College Edition, The World Publishing Company, Cleveland OH, s.v. "priest"
  16. ^Stott, John R. W. (1961). The Preacher's Portrait: Some New Testament Word Studies. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing. p. 43.ISBN0-8028-1191-4.
  17. ^StudyLight.org episkopos
  18. ^1Pet 2:25
  19. ^StudyLight.org poimen
  20. ^Eph 4:11
  21. ^Wallace, Daniel B. 'Who should run the church? A case for the plurality of elders'
  22. ^Knight, G.W. 1992 (A Commentary on the Pastoral Epistles.Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, pp.175-177
  23. ^ab"The Biblical Case for Elder Rule"(PDF).Archived fromthe original(PDF)on 2006-08-28.Retrieved2007-01-21.
  24. ^Viola, F. and Barna, G. (2008)Pagan Christianity: exploring the roots of our church practicesArchived2010-07-02 at theWayback MachineCarol Stream:Tyndale House
  25. ^1Pet 5:1–3
  26. ^abActs 20:28
  27. ^1Thes 5:12–13
  28. ^Jas 5
  29. ^1Tim 5:17,1Thes 5:12
  30. ^abHeb 13:17
  31. ^1Pet 5:3
  32. ^1Tim 5:17,Ti 1:9–13
  33. ^Acts 14:23,1Tim 4:14,Ti 1:5
  34. ^1Pet 5:4
  35. ^1Pet 5:1–3,Phil 1:1
  36. ^Granfield, P. and Phan, P.C., (2000)The Gift of the Church: A Textbook On Ecclesiology In Honor Of Patrick Granfield, O.S.B,(Collegeville: Liturgical Press), p. 32.
  37. ^John Meyendorff, The Primacy of Peter: Essays in Ecclesiology and the Early Church(St Vladimir's Seminary Press, 1992), p. 135–136
  38. ^Tertullian,Prescription Against Heretics,32
  39. ^Catholic Encyclopedia: Pope St Clement I)
  40. ^Liber Pontificalis 2
  41. ^Ehrman, Bart. Peter, Paul, and Mary Magdalene: The Followers of Jesus in History and Legend. Oxford University Press, USA. 2006.ISBN0-19-530013-0
  42. ^"Bishop". Cross, F. L., ed. The Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church. New York: Oxford University Press. 2005
  43. ^Fiddes, P.A Leading QuestionArchived2011-07-22 at theWayback MachineLondon: Baptist Publications
  44. ^William H. Brackney,Historical Dictionary of the Baptists,Scarecrow Press, USA, 2009, p. 198
  45. ^Ron Rhodes, The Complete Guide to Christian Denominations, Harvest House Publishers, 2005,ISBN0-7369-1289-4
  46. ^Howard, V.E. (1971)What Is the Church of Christ?4th Edition (Revised) Central Printers & Publishers, West Monroe, Louisiana
  47. ^This belief is shared with other religious organizations with roots in theRestoration Movement,such as theIndependent Christian Church.
  48. ^History of Age Restrictions in Priesthood in the LDS Church,Stack Exchange,May 21, 2018, Retrieved Marc 28, 2020
  49. ^Doctrine and Covenants(D&C) 20: 38; cf. 1 Pet. 5: 1; 2 Jn. 1: 1; 3 Jn. 1: 1
  50. ^"Church of Scotland website".Archived fromthe originalon 2010-11-21.Retrieved2010-11-19.
  51. ^The Cambridge platform of church discipline... 1648: and A Confession of faith.The Library of Congress. [Boston: Perkins & Whipple]. 1850.{{cite book}}:CS1 maint: others (link)
  52. ^Dexter, Henry Martyn (1865).Congregationalism:.University of California Libraries. Boston, Nichols and Noyes. p. 67.
  53. ^"Questions From Readers",The Watch Tower,pages 28,29
  54. ^"Worship and Congregational Life - Frequently Asked Questions - The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod".lcms.org.Retrieved2021-09-17.
  55. ^The Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church.Nashville: The United Methodist Publishing House, 1984
  56. ^The Discipline of the Evangelical Wesleyan Church.Evangelical Wesleyan Church.2015. p. 115.
  57. ^"Discipline of the Primitive Methodist Church in the United States of America"(PDF).Primitive Methodist Church.Archived fromthe original(PDF)on 7 August 2017.Retrieved31 May2017.
  58. ^Holmes, F. (1962) Regarding Elders.Precious Seed,13(1)[permanent dead link]
  59. ^BBC website
  60. ^Miller, Samuel (1831). "Chapter 1: Introductory".An Essay, on the Warrant, Nature and Duties of the Office of the Ruling Elder, in the Presbyterian Church.bpc.org. Archived fromthe originalon 19 June 2008.Retrieved6 December2010.
  61. ^abKurian, George Thomas; Lamport, Mark A. (2016).Encyclopedia of Christianity in the United States.Rowman & Littlefield.ISBN9781442244320.
  62. ^White, Ellen.,filter:%5b{'type':'folder','key':'4'},{'type':'folder','key':'1227'},{'type':'folder','key':'5'},{'type':'folder','key':'8'},{'type':'folder','key':'9'},{'type':'folder','key':'10'},{'type':'folder','key':'253'},{'type':'folder','key':'14'}%5d) "Mrs".Ellen White Writings.Retrieved10 March2019.

External links[edit]

Look upποιμήνin Wiktionary, the free dictionary.
Look upἐπίσκοποςin Wiktionary, the free dictionary.
Look upπρεσβύτεροςin Wiktionary, the free dictionary.
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