The Elder-Led Church: A Review

Capill, Murray. The Elder-Led Church: How an Eldership Team Shepherds a Healthy Flock. P&R Publishing, Phillipsburg, NJ. 2024.

When I first picked up The Elder-Led Church by Murray Capill, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I’ve read plenty about the biblical qualifications for elders—those lists in Timothy and Titus are hard to miss—but very few, if any, have focused on what it looks like for elders to lead well in a church. Most tend to focus on the importance of eldership and the biblical qualifications for it. Capill’s book felt like a friend stepping into that gap, offering a clear, practical guide that’s both rooted in Scripture and alive with real-world wisdom. As someone who serves as an elder of a local church, I found myself nodding along, challenged, and occasionally pausing to reflect on my own approach.

The Heart of the Book

Capill structures the book in four parts, each building on the last like a well-planned sermon series. He begins with “Elders Are Leaders,” delving into the Old Testament to establish a foundation for understanding what leadership means in God’s economy. I love how he leans into the understanding of elders as shepherds. He accomplishes this by focusing on four key roles: knowing, feeding, leading, and protecting. It’s a vivid picture that stuck with me—elders aren’t just decision-makers; they’re caretakers of souls. He also touches on different church polities without picking a fight, which I appreciated. His concept of a “first among equals” elder—a kind of team captain—sparked some internal debate for me, but more on that later.

The second section, “Big-Picture Leadership,” zooms out to focus on the theological convictions elders need. Drawing from Tim Keller’s Center Church, Capill emphasizes a “gospel vision” where the church loves, reflects, and advances the gospel. He lists eight characteristics, like evangelistic effectiveness and countercultural community, that paint a picture of a vibrant, Christ-centered church. The gospel-centered movement has come under a lot of heat lately, Tim Keller being a focal point for some of the criticism, but I think Capill's use of the framework works here.

In “Leading Signature Ministries,” the third section, Capill gets practical. He highlights three core areas: missions, Sunday worship, and shepherding. Missions isn’t just a side project, he argues—it’s the engine of the church’s gospel vision. Sunday gatherings are framed as corporate worship, with preaching and song selection carrying serious weight. I chuckled at his phrase “song selection as the second sermon,” as it is so true. Far too often, we overlook the importance of music as a teaching element. Shepherding, meanwhile, is about discipleship, not just hospital visits.

The final section, “Leading Well,” is where the rubber meets the road. Capill dives into the nitty-gritty of elder meetings, decision-making, and navigating different personalities. His point about avoiding the need for unanimous decisions hit home. Too often, I’ve seen ministries stall because one person held out. The goal of unanimity is good. We should be united in goal and purpose, but we do not always have to agree on a particular application.

A Personal Reflection

As I read, I couldn’t help but think back to my own time serving as an elder. There were moments of joy, like seeing a young believer grow in faith, and moments of frustration, like late-night meetings that went nowhere. Capill’s book is a refreshing help to those who might be struggling with how to lead well. His emphasis on gospel clarity and collective ministry helps to remind us to keep the big picture in focus. It reminds us of the constant need to pray for our church’s leaders and engage as members.

One area where I wrestled with Capill is his “first among equals” idea. I get it—some elders have more time or gifting, like a pastor versus a lay elder with a full-time job. But I’ve seen how elevating one elder, even subtly, can create an imbalance. In my own church, we’ve worked hard to emphasize that all elders share equal authority, even if their roles differ. Capill’s point about dividing responsibilities is spot-on, though, and I’d love to see more churches lean into that without tipping into hierarchy among the elders.

Why This Book Matters

The Elder-Led Church isn’t exhaustive—no single book could be—but it’s a gem for anyone wanting to understand elder leadership. It’s like a conversation with a wise friend who loves the church and wants it to thrive. Whether you’re an elder, aspiring to be one, or just a church member curious about how your leaders tick, this book will help equip you. It’s grounded in Scripture, practical without being prescriptive, and full of heart.

I’ve added it to my shelf of go-to resources, right next to books like The Trellis and the Vine and Church Elders: How to Shepherd God's People like Jesus. Like those, it’s a call to live out our faith with clarity and purpose. If you’re looking to grow in your understanding of church leadership, grab this book. You won’t regret it.

Soli Deo Gloria