1. DO YOU RECOGNIZE YOUR LEADERS?
1Thessalonians 5:12

2. WHAT ARE ELDERS? God’s design for leadership in the local church
--not a one-person government or a democracy
--governance by a plurality (group) of leaders
Elders = Overseers = Shepherds
**God’s design is always the best (and only acceptable) design

3. WHAT DO ELDERS DO?
As elders, they LEAD by setting direction, making decisions, and being models
--Minds of elders…what they think
As overseers, they WATCH over all the flock and WATCH out for dangers to the flock --Eyes of overseers…what they see
As shepherds, they CARE for the flock through feeding, ministering, and praying
--Hearts of shepherds…what they feel

4. WHY DO ELDERS SERVE? NOT a desire for power or prestige
SHOULD BE motivated by:
--sincere concern for the flock
--true desire to honor the Chief Shepherd
**A man who seeks a position for power is not to be entrusted with the flock purchased with the blood of the Lord Jesus

5. HOW ARE ELDERS SELECTED?
NOT by popularity, longevity, wealth, etc.
By the Holy Spirit (Acts 20:28)
As they display…
--desire
--Scriptural qualifications (character, family, ability)
--recognition by elders
--acceptance by the flock
**The Holy Spirit makes elders—we recognize His work

6. WHAT IS OUR RELATIONSHIP TO OUR ELDERS?
They are “among us” as well as “over us”
--1Peter 5:2 “Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers…”
--1Thessalonians 5:12 “…those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord…”