Elders are essential to a church because their ministry includes an emphasis on protecting the people by using the word to refute those who would harm them. Again, this is something that all Christians can do, but Christ has seen to it that there's no question of who must do this.
In some Christian traditions (e.g., Eastern Orthodoxy, Roman Catholicism, Anglicanism, Methodism) an elder is an ordained person who serves a local church or churches and who has been ordained to a ministry of word, sacrament and order, filling the preaching and pastoral offices.
First Nations, Métis and Inuit elders are acknowledged by their respective communities as an 'Elder' through a lifetime of learned teachings and earned respect. Many communities have defined protocol and process for becoming an elder. Gender and age are not factors in determining who is an elder.
What are Top 10 Highest Paying Cities for Elder Jobs CityAnnual SalaryHourly Wage Fremont, CA $63,325 $30.44 Daly City, CA $62,791 $30.19 Berkeley, CA $62,483 $30.04 San Jose, CA $62,432 $30.026 more rows
One way to recognize both biblical principles is (i) to have the elders nominate prospective elders and then (ii) to have the congregation vote to recognize them. That way the elders are the ones examining a man before putting him before the congregation, yet the congregation's decision is decisive.
Each elder is chosen based on their faith, spiritual gifts, wisdom, and ability to share the gospel. A teaching elder needs to be able to teach the word of God. In the Presbyterian church, the minister is the teaching elder. There are ruling elders and deacons.
Today, men and women are called to be church elders. Their age doesn't matter as much as their life experience, wisdom, and desire to serve God and the church's people.
One way to recognize both biblical principles is (i) to have the elders nominate prospective elders and then (ii) to have the congregation vote to recognize them. That way the elders are the ones examining a man before putting him before the congregation, yet the congregation's decision is decisive.
Qualifications of Elders — I Timothy -7 Above Reproach (Paul begins with positive attributes) ... The Husband of One Wife. Temperate. Prudent. Respectable. Hospitable. Apt to Teach. Not a Drunkard (here he begins the negative attributes)