A Call to Raise Up Elders From Within the Local Church

The health of a church hinges on its leadership, and Scripture calls churches to cultivate godly elders from within their own ranks. Too often, modern churches rely on external institutions, seminaries, parachurch organizations, or charismatic personalities to supply leaders, neglecting the biblical mandate to disciple men within the local body. Drawing from the wisdom of Scripture and the practical lessons of my time in the U.S. Navy, I want to explore the urgent need to raise up elders from within the local church, equipping them to lead with humility, teach sound doctrine, and guide the congregation under Christ’s headship. In a culture prone to consumerism and centralized power, the church must return to the biblical model of elder-led congregationalism, where elders provide counsel through teaching and the congregation exercises final authority, fostering a community that glorifies Christ.

The Biblical Imperative for Raising Leaders from Within

Scripture provides a clear pattern for church leadership: elders, called by God and affirmed by the congregation, are to shepherd the flock (1 Peter 5:1-4). The New Testament uses three interchangeable terms—elder (presbuteros), overseer (episkopos), and pastor/shepherd (poimen)—to describe this office, emphasizing maturity, oversight, and care (Acts 20:28; 1 Peter 5:1-2). These leaders are not external hires or lone rangers but men raised up from within the church, known for their character and commitment to sound doctrine (1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9). The Apostle Paul modeled this in his missionary work, appointing elders in every church he planted (Acts 14:23) and instructing Titus to do the same in Crete (Titus 1:5). This pattern underscores a vital principle: churches are to disciple their own members into leadership, ensuring continuity and fidelity to the gospel.

The qualifications for eldership in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9 focus on character, not charisma or credentials. Elders must be above reproach, self-controlled, hospitable, and able to teach, serving as examples to the flock (1 Peter 5:3). Notably, Paul commends those who “aspire to the office of overseer” (1 Timothy 3:1), framing eldership as a “noble task” rather than a burden. This challenges the modern tendency to view leadership ambition with suspicion, as if desiring to serve is inherently prideful. As Robert Wall observes, Paul counters the Greco-Roman disdain for ambition by suggesting that divine grace transforms motives, redirecting them toward service rather than power (Wall, The Bible Knowledge Background Commentary, 650). Churches must encourage men to pursue eldership while ensuring their motives align with Christ’s call to humility.

Congregational authority complements elder leadership. In Matthew 18:15-17, Jesus instructs believers to bring unresolved sin to the church, emphasizing the congregation’s role in discipline. Similarly, Acts 6:3-5 shows the congregation selecting deacons, and Acts 15:22 depicts the whole church sending missionaries. These passages affirm that the congregation holds final authority under Christ, the sole head of the church (Colossians 1:18). Elder-led congregationalism balances these roles: elders guide through teaching and counsel, while the congregation affirms major decisions, ensuring accountability and unity. Raising elders from within strengthens this model, as men known to the church are vetted by those who see their lives up close.

The Navy Model: Training Up and Teaching Down

My experience in the U.S. Navy offers a practical analogy for raising leaders. On a ship, every sailor is trained with the expectation that they can step into greater responsibility. Leadership is not outsourced but cultivated through mentorship, discipline, and hands-on experience. A junior sailor is mentored by a petty officer, who models skills and accountability, preparing them to lead others. Similarly, churches must foster a culture where elders train younger men to lead, teaching them to teach others (2 Timothy 2:2). This pipeline ensures that leadership remains rooted in the local body, not imported from outside.

In the Navy, leadership development is proactive. Officers and senior enlisted sailors identify potential leaders early, mentoring them through challenges and modeling discipline. Churches must adopt this mindset, intentionally discipling men who show godly character and a desire to serve. Titus 2:6 urges the church to “urge the younger men to be self-controlled,” cultivating the virtues that prepare them for leadership. This requires elders to live among their people, as Paul did in Ephesus, serving “with all humility and with tears” (Acts 20:19). By modeling humility and teaching sound doctrine, elders prepare the next generation to lead faithfully.

The Problem: Outsourcing Leadership

Many churches today face a leadership crisis, not for lack of potential elders but for lack of intentional discipleship. Instead of raising leaders from within, churches often turn to seminaries or external candidates, assuming they are better equipped. While seminaries provide valuable theological training, they cannot replace the local church’s role in shaping character and testing a man’s call. A seminary degree does not guarantee the humility, hospitality, or teaching ability required of an elder (1 Timothy 3:2-3). Moreover, external hires may lack the relational trust needed to lead a congregation effectively.

This outsourcing mirrors a broader cultural drift toward pragmatism. Churches prioritize efficiency, adopting corporate models where a single pastor or a small staff makes decisions, sidelining the congregation and stifling discipleship. As John MacArthur notes, equating church leadership with corporate management distorts the biblical model (Called to Lead, 7). The church is not a business but the body of Christ, called to make disciples who make disciples (Matthew 28:19-20). When churches rely on external sources, they risk producing leaders disconnected from the congregation’s life and mission.

A Biblical Solution: A Culture of Discipleship

To raise elders from within, churches must foster a culture of discipleship where every member is seen as a potential leader. This begins with elders modeling the qualifications of 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1, living lives worthy of imitation (1 Corinthians 11:1). Elders must prioritize prayer and the ministry of the Word (Acts 6:4), teaching sound doctrine and equipping the saints for ministry (Ephesians 4:12). By living among their people, as Paul did, elders demonstrate hospitality and humility, showing younger men what leadership entails (Acts 20:18–19).

Practical steps can transform this vision into reality. First, churches should establish discipleship groups where elders mentor men, focusing on character, doctrine, and leadership skills. These groups can study Scripture, discuss faithful confessions such as the New Hampshire or the 1689 London Baptist Confession, and address real-life challenges. Second, churches can create leadership classes or elder shadowing programs, allowing potential elders to observe and participate in governance, teaching, and pastoral care. My Navy experience taught me that hands-on training builds confidence and competence; similarly, shadowing elders prepares men for the responsibilities of leadership.

Congregational involvement is crucial. Elders should identify and recommend elder candidates, but the congregation must affirm them, reflecting their authority (Acts 6:5). This process ensures that leaders are known and trusted, having proven their character over time. As David Schrock notes, elder-led congregationalism moves slowly, requiring elders to earn the congregation’s trust through faithful teaching and counsel (A Primer on Elder-Led Congregationalism). This deliberate pace fosters unity and guards against hasty appointments.

The Role of Elders in Discipleship

Elders are not merely administrators but shepherds, tasked with teaching, counseling, and protecting the flock (Acts 20:28). Their primary role is to devote themselves to prayer and the ministry of the Word (Acts 6:4), ensuring that sound doctrine shapes the church’s life. Titus 1:9 emphasizes that elders must “hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught,” instructing in truth and rebuking error. This teaching extends beyond sermons to informal settings like Bible studies or one-on-one mentorship, where elders equip men to grow in faith and leadership.

Elders also model spiritual disciplines. As Paul David Tripp writes, elders need a leadership community to hold them accountable, ensuring they remain humble and dependent on Christ (Lead, 44). By practicing prayer, Scripture study, and accountability, elders set an example for younger men, urging them to cultivate self-control and godliness (Titus 2:6). This mentorship is not optional; it is the backbone of a church’s leadership pipeline.

Navigating Challenges

Raising elders from within is not without challenges. Congregations may resist elder counsel, especially in a culture that prizes autonomy. Elders must navigate disagreements with patience, guiding the church through teaching rather than control (Titus 2:1). Time management is another hurdle, as elders often balance leadership with work and family. In small churches, like the one I serve, elders may handle administrative tasks, but these must never eclipse prayer and teaching (Acts 6:2-4). By delegating secondary duties to deacons or members, elders can focus on their primary calling.

Cultural pressures, such as secularism or declining church engagement, also threaten leadership development. Elders must address these issues with biblical wisdom, teaching on topics like marriage, gender, and the family to equip the church for faithfulness (Titus 2:1-8). A commitment to doctrinal purity ensures that the church remains anchored to Scripture, not swayed by the world.

The Long-Term Vision: Succession and Mission

Raising elders from within prepares the church for the future. Just as the Navy trains sailors to replace retiring leaders, churches must plan for succession, ensuring that godly men are ready to step into eldership. Paul’s instruction to Titus to appoint elders in every town (Titus 1:5) implies a long-term commitment to leadership development. Elders should mentor potential leaders, involving the congregation in affirming them, to maintain continuity and biblical fidelity.

This process aligns with the church’s mission to make disciples (Matthew 28:19-20). Elders guide the congregation toward the Great Commission, proposing outreach and missions initiatives for congregational approval. By training members to share in ministry, elders multiply the church’s impact, fostering a culture where every believer is equipped to serve. As Marc Minter notes, elder-led congregationalism makes the whole church a disciple-making organism, promoting spiritual growth and health (What Is Elder-Led Congregationalism?).

Conclusion: A Call to Action

The church stands at a crossroads. Will we rely on external solutions to fill leadership voids, or will we embrace the biblical mandate to raise elders from within? Elder-led congregationalism, rooted in Scripture, offers a balanced model where elders lead through counsel and the congregation exercises authority under Christ’s headship. By fostering a culture of discipleship, churches can train men who aspire to the “noble task” of eldership (1 Timothy 3:1), equipping them to teach, shepherd, and guide with humility.