Eldership Through the Ages and through the history of CC/DOC CCNC-N presentation for Elders’...

Eldership Through the Ages Eldership Through the Ages and through the history of and through the history of

CC/DOCCC/DOC

CCNC-N presentation for Elders’ CCNC-N presentation for Elders’ Training March 26, 2011Training March 26, 2011

History of Eldership in Human Culture

In early human culture, elders taught the knowledge and skills needed to survive passed on traditionssustained the culture and beliefs

In Complex Modern Industrial Society, rapid technological advancement “discredits” elders who don’t “keep up” and seem less relevant to young peopleinstitutionalized education create “experts” in areas well before the elder years.character built from life-long experience can only be offered by elders.

History of Eldership & Spiritual Leadership in the Judeo-Christian tradition

History of Eldership & Spiritual Leadership in the

Judeo-Christian traditionElders in the Jewish tradition:

Elders were the formal leadership within a tribe.

Council of Elders (Sanhedrin) served as judges and leaders.

Kings became a higher authority, but still consulted Elders for cultural and religious leadership.

Modern Jewish tradition and many indigenous/ethnic cultures continue to honor the guidance and judgment of the Elder Councils.


Elders in the New Testament

Jesus refers to both women and men in leadership roles among his Disciples. Early Christian documents identified only the original Apostles as “Elder.”The Jewish Christians kept their cultural structure regarding Elder leadership.


Elders in the Gentile churches

Brought their own leadership traditions

Established counter-cultural practices

Leadership had to maintain an integrity of these new belief and values


The Greek references in scripture to Leader or Elder had three separate categories indicating specific roles:

Presbyteros—older or elder personPresbyteri—overseerPoimen—shepherd


With growth came the need for some common structure and polity:

In 325 AD, Constantine established a formal hierarchy of ruling priests in Rome.

There is no clear role for the lay person as an Elder or spiritual leader.


The Protestant Reformation, beginning in the 16th Century

They rebelled against the rigid hierarchy and corrupt practices. Leadership was shared between full time religious leaders and lay volunteers.


Elders in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ):

The Campbell/Stone movement criticized institutional hierarchy.

They called for a return to New Testament practice and polity.

They strongly advocated for the inclusion of lay leadership in the churches & the worship process.

Earliest CC(DOC) CongregationsWere rarely served by ordained clergy.Lay Elders held administrative authority:Lay Elders were identified by the congregations to teach, “exercise discipline” and preside over the serviceLay Elders were mostly part time volunteers.



More full time licensed or ordained ministers were hired.

Conflict and challenge often occurred between Lay Elder authority and ordained clergy.

In many cases, the spiritual leadership of lay Elder has been reduced or lost.

The conflict of leadership authority between lay Elder and ordained clergy continues in many congregations.


Continued institutionalization of a National Church further decentralized the lay Elder’s authority and influence.

The administrative leadership of the church began to be spread out over other non-elder administrative lay positions, such as Board Chair.


In Congregations Today:A desire to support, strengthen and renew the role of lay Elder/Spiritual leaderWe see declining congregations that may once again be unable to hire full-time ministers.We live in a post-Christendom culture which once again moves Christianity to be more counter-cultural. This may change the role of Elder/spiritual leader as we move forward.


The question put forward to Elders and congregational leadership and membership today is not so much whether we will change, but rather how we will change—with what criteria and values.

Questions for discussion:

What has changed?

What has stayed the same?

Why do we need the role of an Elder or Spiritual Leader today?

Eldership Through the Ages and through the history of CC/DOC CCNC-N presentation for Elders’...

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