What do the elders do?

[Lamb]

What do the elders at your church do?

 

[atpollard]

Teach.

 

[Josiah]

We don't have elders.

Perhaps the closest we come is our Care and Worship Ministry Team. This team is responsible especially for performing, empowering, encouraging Christian care and support in the congregation. For some (unknown) reason, the worship service is entrusted here, too. Decisions regarding the worship service goes here. The minister of music and choir are under this Ministry Team.



.

 

[Albion]

What do the elders at your church do?

The word in Scripture refers to the clergy, so the answer is that they officiate at worship services, administer the sacraments, counsel and teach, etc.

Meanwhile, there is also a parish board of some sort made up of laypersons who handle--along with the rector/pastor--the financial, record keeping, and property concerns of the parish, and so on. In other denominations, the members of this latter body are often referred to as "elders."

 

[Faith]

We have elders but I don’t know what they do.

 

[Spindle4]

We have elders but I don’t know what they do.

They should be overseeing things, being responsible for administration, and giving guidance.

Greek = presbuteros

1Pe 5:1-4 The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed: (2) Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; (3) nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; (4) and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.

 

[NewCreation435]

Baptist call our ordained lay leaders deacons. We don't have elders. Deacons are suppose to serve the church and help out as needed, but often in many Baptist churches they think of themselves as a leadership board and cause trouble.

 

[Spindle4]

but often in many Baptist churches they think of themselves as a leadership board and cause trouble.

The dreaded Board of Deacons.

 

[Faith]

They should be overseeing things, being responsible for administration, and giving guidance.

Greek = presbuteros

1Pe 5:1-4 The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed: (2) Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; (3) nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; (4) and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.

Giving guidance to whom?

 

[MoreCoffee]

What do the elders at your church do?

Elders preside at the liturgy and lead in prayers. They say the Eucharistic prayer, and hear confession. The preside at baptisms, weddings, confirmations. They give the last rites to those who are ill and dying.

 

[Spindle4]

Giving guidance to whom?

Those who need it.

The Bible actually teaches plural leadership, and I have enjoyed being involved in congregations that practice this.

Heb 13:7 Remember your leaders who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. 8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

Heb 13:17 Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they watch over your souls as those who must give an account. To this end, allow them to lead with joy and not with grief, for that would be of no advantage to you.

 

[tango]

Baptist call our ordained lay leaders deacons. We don't have elders. Deacons are suppose to serve the church and help out as needed, but often in many Baptist churches they think of themselves as a leadership board and cause trouble.

At the Baptist church I attended until I moved away from the area the elders (along with the pastors) were responsible for spiritual leadership and the deacons were responsible for more secular leadership.

If you wanted prayer or spiritual guidance you'd call an elder. If the roof was leaking you'd call a deacon.

 

[MoreCoffee]

Elders preside at the liturgy and lead in prayers. They say the Eucharistic prayer, and hear confession. The preside at baptisms, weddings, confirmations. They give the last rites to those who are ill and dying.

I forgot to mention the business-like activities that elders must perform.
Elders are members of the chair of the following bodies:
Parish council
finance committee
scripture studies
school councils for the parish
administrator with secretarial helpers of the parish's assets
coordinator for diaconate works