As a pastor, you are not just leading a congregation—you are shepherding a team of shepherds. Your eldership is not a business boardroom, nor a casual gathering of friends, but a sacred assembly of called men, charged with the care of souls. To lead such a group well is a weighty task. It requires more than strategy. It requires Christlikeness.
Scripture has not left us without guidance. In what follows, I invite you to consider five steps toward effective leadership of your eldership team—steps rooted in humility, communication, stewardship, example, and counsel.
May your leadership not only direct but disciple, not only organize but edify.
1. Begin with Humility
Humility is not optional for the leader in the Church—it is essential. Proverbs 11:2 offers us a sobering warning:
“When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.”
Humility is the soil in which wisdom grows. It is also the posture that creates room for others to flourish. To lead your elders with humility is to willingly step down from self-importance and lift others up. It is to listen more than speak, to serve more than be served. Humility says, “I do not need to be the smartest man in the room; I want to be the most faithful one.”
Your tone sets the tone. A humble leader cultivates a culture of mutual respect, where every elder feels seen, valued, and invited to contribute.
2. Communicate Clearly and Consistently
We are reminded again and again in Scripture that clarity is kindness. God communicates with His people not in riddles, but with grace and truth. In your leadership, this same clarity should mark your rhythms.
The Harvard Business Review once noted that teams who communicate well are significantly more effective in their decisions. But long before that study, the Book of Proverbs told us:
“The one who gives an answer before he listens—this is foolishness and disgrace for him.” (Prov. 18:13)
Make room for regular meetings—not merely for reporting, but for real conversation. Provide updates, ask questions, and clarify direction. Keep the lines of communication open. Elders who feel informed will feel invested. And investment breeds unity.
3. Steward Gifts Through Delegation
Each man in your eldership carries a portion of the Spirit’s gifting. As 1 Peter 4:10 instructs:
“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.”
Faithful leadership means recognizing those gifts and assigning roles accordingly. Delegation is not about offloading tasks; it is about honoring design. When you delegate with intentionality, you invite others into meaningful ownership. You say, “You matter. Your contribution matters.”
Avoid the temptation to do it all. The body thrives when every part functions as it should (1 Cor. 12:12–27). Trust your team to carry weight with you—and watch them grow under it.
4. Lead by Example
Paul’s instruction to Timothy still echoes with relevance:
“Set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity.” (1 Tim. 4:12)
The most powerful leadership tool you possess is not your voice—it is your life. Your elders will follow your example far more closely than your agenda.
What you tolerate in yourself, they will tolerate in one another. What you pursue in holiness, they will be encouraged to pursue alongside you. Let your conduct be the clearest sermon your team hears.
Lead with integrity. Apologize quickly. Serve sacrificially. And in all things, point them to Christ, the true and perfect Shepherd.
5. Invite Counsel and Correction
Finally, wise leadership is not autonomous—it is accountable. Proverbs 15:22 reminds us:
“Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.”
Your eldership team is not simply there to affirm your ideas. They are your counselors, your co-laborers. Invite their voices. Weigh their perspectives. Honor their wisdom.
A leader who welcomes feedback does more than make better decisions—he builds deeper trust. A team that feels heard becomes a team that stays engaged.
It is not a sign of weakness to ask for input. It is a sign of spiritual maturity.
A Final Word
Leadership within the eldership is not about control—it is about cultivation. You are nurturing not just a team, but a culture. A way of being together that reflects the heart of Christ.
So lead with humility. Communicate with clarity. Delegate with discernment. Live with integrity. And listen with wisdom.
The church does not need more brilliant strategists. She needs more faithful shepherds. May you be one of them—for the glory of God, the good of your elders, and the flourishing of your church.