The elder (Greek presbyteros) is the primary leadership office in the New Testament church. The office is often called by three different terms that refer to the same role: elder (emphasizing maturity and authority), overseer or bishop (Greek episkopos, emphasizing the function of watching over), and pastor or shepherd (Greek poimen, emphasizing the function of feeding and leading the flock). Paul uses all three terms interchangeably in Acts 20:17-28 when addressing the same men: he calls them elders, tells them the Holy Spirit has made them overseers, and commands them to shepherd the flock. Elders in the New Testament are always plural in a single congregation (Acts 14:23, Titus 1:5, 1 Peter 5:1). The qualifications are given in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9 — they are primarily character-based: blameless, husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, hospitable, able to teach, not violent, not greedy, not a novice, good reputation with outsiders, ruling his own household well. The elder's work includes: shepherding (feeding, protecting, leading) the flock; teaching sound doctrine; refuting error; exercising church discipline; praying for the sick; setting an example. Elders must give account to Christ: "I charge you therefore before God... preach the word!" (2 Timothy 4:1-2). "Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account" (Hebrews 13:17). The recovery of plural, biblically qualified eldership is one of the most important tasks of the church in every generation.
Acts 20:17, 28 — "From Miletus He sent to Ephesus and called for the elders of the church... Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God."
1 Timothy 3:1-2 — "This is a faithful saying: If a man desires the position of a bishop, he desires a good work. A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach."
Titus 1:5 — "For this reason I left you in Crete, that you should set in order the things that are lacking, and appoint elders in every city as I commanded you."
1 Peter 5:1-4 — "The elders who are among you I exhort... Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock."