Am I legitimately an elder? I was appointed as an elder in our church, but then the church became multiple churches, and I resigned as an elder (for the entire group) when our ministry became separate. Yet I'm still in the same congregation that commended me originally, even though it has a new name. I am on the current leadership team, but don't hold positional authority as an “elder.” I trust, however, that my moral and relational authority are of some use to the church. I am personally uncomfortable with being in a state of ambiguity, so am reaching out to wiser heads than mine for some clarity, if such clarity exists! Thanks for your consideration.
Eldership is, in my understanding, a function more than a position or status. If you are overseeing and shepherding a group, then yes, you are an elder. You are serving in a pastoral role. (Pastor = shepherd, Latin.) But if you aren’t serving in this capacity, there’s no need to call you an elder.
So it’s not the case that once an elder, one is always an elder. A shepherd to one group may not at all be a shepherd once he relocates to a new group, or his role is redefined.
