Elder

Familiar questions What is an elder? How do you become an elder? Is there a minimum age? What kind of training does an elder receive? How much time does being an elder take alongside work and family? Can local circumstances affect his responsibilities? Why can’t sisters become elders? Can an elder lose his position? Is an elder a professional counselor? Can he make mistakes? And how much influence can his judgment have on a congregation member’s life? What is an elder? An elder among Jehovah’s Witnesses is a baptized man who is appointed to provide Bible teaching, offer spiritual care, and share responsibility with other elders for a local congregation. Jehovah’s Witnesses do not have a priest, pastor, or minister who stands alone at the head of a congregation. A body of elders shares responsibility for the local congregation collectively. Elders do not receive a salary for this congregational role. Within the faith, eldership is seen as a form of service. According to 1 Peter 5:2, 3, elders are not to lord it over others, but to care for the congregation. What does an elder do? Elders give talks at meetings, provide shepherding care, guide congregation members, and take responsibility for applying Bible-based and organizational guidelines. Within a body of elders, there are different assignments. For example, elders may serve as coordinator of the body of elders, secretary, service overseer, or group overseer , or be responsible for parts of meetings. In a congregation with few elders, one elder may hold several responsibilities at the same time. In addition, elders may be involved in shepherding visits, serious sins committed by a congregation member, assessing repentance, and meetings with people who want to return after being removed. Some elders have additional responsibilities related to, for example, conventions, construction projects, or a hospital liaison committee. As a result, being an elder can involve much more than giving talks. Being an elder can take a lot of time and energy An elder is usually not just an elder. Many elders also have a paid job, a spouse, children, a household, and other personal responsibilities . At the same time, they remain Jehovah’s Witnesses themselves and therefore also take part in meetings, personal study, preaching, and other religious activities. On top of that come their additional responsibilities as elders. Jehovah’s Witnesses acknowledge in their own publications that elders can have a lot to do. Among other things, they must care for their family, take the lead in the ministry, prepare and present meeting parts, and devote time to shepherding care. Some elders also have other organizational assignments. Being an elder can therefore place a significant demand on time, energy, and availability . Being available for congregation members An important part of being an elder is caring for other congregation members. A congregation member may approach an elder when he is grieving, struggling spiritually, experiencing marital problems, has committed a serious sin, or has other personal concerns. Some situations cannot be resolved in one short conversation. An elder may hold multiple conversations, make a shepherding visit, study information, or consult with other elders. In serious congregation matters, conversations can also require a great deal of time and emotional attention. That means that an elder sometimes needs to be available when someone else needs him , not only when it best fits his own schedule. Congregation discussions and serious matters When a serious sin requires further handling, three qualified elders may be appointed to speak with the person as a committee . They try to determine what happened and assess, among other things, whether there is repentance according to religious standards. That can be intense for everyone involved. The person concerned may feel tense, afraid, or sad. But it can also be difficult for the elders to hear sensitive information and have to make decisions that can have major consequences for someone. An elder may therefore at the same time be spiritual guide, confidant, Bible teacher, and evaluator of conduct and repentance . That makes his responsibility considerable. Work, family, congregation, and preaching According to Jehovah’s Witnesses, an elder should try to keep these different responsibilities in balance. His family should not be structurally neglected because he does so much for the congregation. The Bible requirements for elders actually state that a man must manage his own household well. JW publications therefore acknowledge that congregational responsibilities can take time that would otherwise be spent with his wife and children. That creates an ongoing balance between work, spouse and children, personal spiritual routine, meetings, preaching, preparation, congregation tasks, shepherding, rest, and personal life . How burdensome that feels naturally varies from elder to elder. One has a flexible job and few additional responsibilities; another works full-time, has young children, or also cares for family members. So it cannot be said that every elder is constantly overburdened. What is clear, however, is that combining these responsibilities can demand a lot. An elder also needs rest Within the Bible requirements for elders, there is no instruction to spend every free hour on congregation activities. An elder remains a husband, father, employee, and individual. Rest, recreation, and time with his family may be necessary to keep up all those responsibilities. Over the years, JW publications themselves have given attention to this balance. An elder should not give his congregation responsibilities so much room that his wife and children are shortchanged as a result. That is an important nuance: doing a lot for the congregation is not automatically the same as having to sacrifice everything for the congregation. How do you become an elder? Within Jehovah’s Witnesses, you cannot simply apply to become an elder. According to the organization, a baptized man must meet the Bible requirements found in, among others, 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9. For example, his conduct, reputation, spiritual attitude, self-control, family life, hospitality, and ability to teach are considered. Often, a man first gains experience as a ministerial servant . That allows him to gain experience with responsibilities within the congregation. The local elders discuss which brothers they believe meet the requirements and make recommendations. Under the current arrangement, it is the circuit overseer who appoints elders and ministerial servants . Jehovah’s Witnesses speak of appointment by holy spirit , because they believe the requirements on which the evaluation is based are laid out in the Bible by God’s spirit. Is there a minimum age? In the current public information of Jehovah’s Witnesses, no fixed minimum age for elders is mentioned . That does not mean every young baptized man can become an elder. According to the organization, he must be spiritually mature and meet the Bible requirements. The Watchtower wrote in 2023 that young brothers can already be appointed as ministerial servants in their late teens and that a particularly capable servant in his early twenties can be appointed as an elder . An elder therefore does not have to be literally an older man. A young elder with major responsibility As a result, a relatively young man can receive religious responsibility within a congregation in which many members are decades older. He may also eventually become involved in discussions about marriage, sexuality, serious sin, repentance, and other very personal topics. Age does not automatically determine how much wisdom or empathy someone has. A young man can be particularly balanced, and an older man can make poor decisions. But religious suitability, life experience, and professional expertise are different things . That distinction can become important when someone needs guidance with complex relationship, social, or mental health problems. Does it matter which congregation you live in? According to Jehovah’s Witnesses, the official Bible requirements for elders are supposed to be the same everywhere. Still, local circumstances can affect how much responsibility available brothers receive . A large congregation may have many experienced elders, ministerial servants, and other suitable brothers. A small or remote congregation may have far fewer available men. When there are few elders, one elder may have to take on multiple congregation assignments. The organization therefore also encourages elders to train other brothers so that they can later carry more responsibility. A brother in a congregation with many experienced elders is, in practical terms, in a different situation from a brother in a small congregation where only a few suitable men are available. That does not automatically mean the official requirements for appointment are different there. However, the practical responsibilities after an appointment can differ greatly. What if a congregation consists mainly of sisters? Among Jehovah’s Witnesses, only baptized men can be appointed as elders or ministerial servants . A sister may have been a Jehovah’s Witness for decades, have extensive Bible knowledge and life experience, pioneer, and be regarded by other congregation members as wise and spiritually strong. Even so, she cannot be appointed as an elder. If no elder or ministerial servant is available, according to the organization’s own publications certain tasks may under some circumstances be carried out by other baptized brothers or by capable sisters. However, that does not make a sister an elder. So when a congregation has many experienced sisters but few suitable baptized men, the formal positions of elder and ministerial servant remain limited to the men who qualify for them. Why can’t women become elders? Jehovah’s Witnesses base this on their interpretation of the Bible and on different responsibilities that, according to them, have been assigned to men and women. From their point of view, this does not mean that women are less intelligent, less spiritual, or less valuable. According to them, men and women have equal value to God, but not the same role in every respect within the congregation. Other Christian denominations may interpret these Bible texts differently. Religious position and expertise are not the same thing Suppose there is a fifty-year-old woman in a congregation who is a psychologist, has a lot of life experience, and has been a Jehovah’s Witness for decades. There is also a man in his early twenties who meets the religious requirements for eldership. Because of her gender, the woman cannot become an elder. The young man can, according to the rules, qualify for eldership. That does not mean the young elder therefore has more knowledge of psychology, relationships, or human behavior. It means that he meets the religious requirements for a religious office for which, according to the doctrine, she does not qualify. That is why it is important to keep three things separate: being appointed religiously , having life experience , and having professional expertise . What training does an elder receive? Elders receive training within the organization. There are special schools and meetings, and they also receive ongoing Bible-based and organizational instruction. So it is not correct to say that elders receive no training . The important follow-up question is: what are they trained in? The training for elders is primarily focused on their Biblical, shepherding, and organizational responsibilities . That can give them a great deal of knowledge about doctrine, congregation procedures, and the way they are expected to provide spiritual care according to Jehovah’s Witnesses. It is simply a different kind of training from professional training in, for example, psychology, psychiatry, medicine, social work, or law. Are elders professional caregivers? Not because of their role as elder. Being an elder does not in itself mean that someone has been professionally trained as a psychologist, psychiatrist, doctor, therapist, or social worker. An individual elder may of course happen to have such a profession. Another elder may have a completely different job. An empathetic and experienced elder can offer someone a great deal of support. Especially for someone who is a Jehovah’s Witness themselves, spiritual guidance can be very valuable. But good intentions and religious experience do not automatically replace professional expertise. In cases of serious psychological, medical, legal, or relationship problems, other professional help may therefore be needed alongside spiritual guidance. These forms of help do not have to exclude one another. How much influence can an elder have? Formally, an elder shares responsibility with other elders. Even so, one elder can have a great deal of personal influence over a congregation member. He may have known someone since childhood, speak with them in shepherding visits, give instruction from the platform, offer advice on personal choices, or become involved when serious religious issues are being handled. For a believer who sees elders as spiritual shepherds, their opinion may therefore carry more weight than that of an ordinary acquaintance. A sentence like: ‘Maybe you should think about what Jehovah thinks about this’ can therefore be experienced as more than just a personal opinion. That does not mean that every piece of advice from an elder is a command. It is useful, however, to distinguish between: a clear Bible rule, an organizational guideline, and a personal application or piece of advice from an elder . Those three are not automatically the same. Should an elder himself continue to set a good example? An appointment as an elder does not mean that someone automatically remains an elder forever. According to Jehovah’s Witnesses, he is expected to keep meeting the Biblical requirements for that appointment. These include his conduct, reputation, family life, spiritual attitude, and his example within the congregation. Elders are also expected to actively take part in the preaching work and to lead in it themselves. At the same time, circumstances can change. Health, age, family situation, or other personal circumstances can affect what someone is still able to do. So the issue is not simply checking off a certain number of activities, but the broader question of whether someone still qualifies for the role and can carry the responsibilities. Can someone stop being an elder? Yes. An elder may himself indicate that he can no longer or no longer wants to carry those responsibilities. It may also be determined that he no longer meets the requirements for eldership. The reasons for that can be very different and do not automatically mean that someone has committed a serious sin. For example, a man may have health problems, be less available because of family circumstances, or come to the conclusion himself that he no longer wants or can carry the responsibility. For the man concerned, stepping down from or losing a role that gave him a lot of meaning can be emotionally significant. He may have been known as an elder for years and invested a lot of time and energy in the congregation. In addition, it may become visible that someone is no longer carrying out certain tasks, while congregation members do not necessarily know all the underlying circumstances. That is why caution with conclusions is important. No longer serving as an elder does not, in itself, tell you why that is. Status, identity, and expectations Over time, a religious role can become part of someone’s identity. An elder may see himself as someone who cares for others, carries responsibility, and is trusted by the congregation. Congregation members may also strongly identify him with that role. When that role changes, it can therefore mean more than simply losing a task from his schedule. He may feel relief because the burden has lessened, but also disappointment, shame, loss of meaning, or concern about what others think. That will not be true for every former elder. It does show why it is wise to distinguish between losing a religious role and becoming worth less as a person . How well does an elder know you? That varies. An elder may have known someone for decades. Another elder may know the same person mainly from the Kingdom Hall. But even someone who knows you well does not automatically know your entire childhood, relationship history, trauma, mental health, fears, or inner motives. That becomes especially important when elders have to assess why someone did something, whether he is repentant, and whether he has changed enough . An elder can observe what someone says and does. He cannot directly see what is happening in a person’s mind or heart. Elders and repentance According to the faith, Jehovah knows the heart . An elder does not. Elders therefore have to look at observable signs: what someone says, how he acts, whether the wrongdoing has stopped, and what changes they notice. There is an important difference between: Being repentant - what someone truly thinks, feels, and has changed. Showing repentance - what other people can observe about it. Someone can be sincerely repentant and still show little emotion. Another person can be very emotional without emotions by themselves proving what is going on in his heart. Personality, upbringing, shame, fear, cultural background, mental health issues, and neurodiversity can all affect how someone communicates or comes across during such a conversation. That is why a religious judgment of repentance is not the same as a professional psychological assessment. What if an elder and a congregation member see the same situation differently? That can happen. A congregation member may, for example, say: ‘I know myself that I am sincerely repentant about this.’ An elder may at the same time think: ‘I still do not see enough evidence that real change has taken place.’ Both people may be genuinely convinced of their own perception. That does not mean every decision is arbitrary. Elders work with Biblical and organizational guidelines and often discuss important matters with several elders. But guidelines do not take away the need for people to interpret what they hear and see . That is precisely why human judgment remains part of the process. Can different elders judge things differently? Yes, that is possible. Two people can interpret the same words, attitude, or circumstances differently. Experience, personality, and how much information someone has can also play a role. The organization tries to reduce differences through guidelines, training, consultation, and involving multiple elders in important decisions. Still, that does not completely eliminate human interpretation. That does not have to mean that one elder is good and another is bad. It mainly means that a religious decision is still made by people . Can elders make mistakes? Yes. Elders are human and, according to Jehovah’s Witnesses’ teaching, imperfect. The organization tries to limit personal arbitrariness through Bible-based criteria, organizational guidelines, and involving multiple elders in important matters. But that does not completely eliminate human interpretation. An elder can misunderstand information. A congregation member may have trouble expressing themselves. Circumstances may turn out to be different from what was first thought. Different people can interpret the same behavior differently. That does not mean decisions are automatically wrong. But a religious appointment does not make a person infallible either. Respect does not mean someone is infallible Within Jehovah’s Witnesses, people are strongly encouraged to respect elders and their work. That does not necessarily mean assuming that an elder is always right. There is a difference between: ‘I respect that he carries responsibility.’ and: ‘Therefore, his judgment cannot be wrong.’ Even within the faith itself, elders are imperfect humans. Respect, asking questions, and personal responsibility do not therefore have to be opposites. Can the workload also affect an elder? An elder who helps others is still a human being with a limited amount of time and energy. Work pressure, lack of sleep, family concerns, and many responsibilities can be taxing for anyone. That does not mean a busy elder will automatically make wrong decisions. It does make clear why enough time, rest, and attention are important when someone has to assess other people’s complicated situations. An elder who still has to prepare for a meeting after work, wants to give attention to his family, and at the same time is dealing with a difficult congregation matter, has, like anyone else, limits to his time and concentration. The organization itself therefore emphasizes the importance of balance between family and congregation. The elder behind the role When talking about authority, it is easy to forget that behind the role there is also just a person. An elder may genuinely want to help. He may lie awake worrying about a congregation member’s problems, make time while he is tired himself, or wonder whether he is making the right decision in a difficult situation. He may also have grief, insecurity, relationship problems, health issues, or questions of faith himself. His role does not make him immune to the ordinary human problems that other congregation members face. That does not remove his responsibility. It does make visible that the one who is meant to support others may also need support himself . Trust and continuing to think for yourself Within Jehovah’s Witnesses, respect for elders is encouraged. At the same time, according to the Bible, every person remains personally accountable to God. That is why these statements are not the same: ‘I respect his responsibility as an elder.’ ‘I value his advice.’ ‘I have examined what he says.’ and: ‘Therefore, his conclusion must automatically become my conclusion too.’ A believer can take spiritual guidance seriously while still trying to understand what an advice is based on. When it is acknowledged that elders are imperfect humans, respect, asking questions, and personal responsibility can exist side by side. When is other help needed? An elder can mean a lot to someone seeking spiritual support. But not every problem is primarily a religious problem. For example, in cases of severe depression, trauma, addiction, suicidality, complex relationship problems, medical issues, or legal matters, specialized expertise may be needed. Then someone does not have to choose between: ‘I talk to an elder’ or: ‘I seek professional help.’ Both can exist side by side, as long as it remains clear which expertise belongs to which role. An elder can offer spiritual support. A psychologist treats mental health problems. A doctor assesses medical complaints. A lawyer gives legal advice. The distinction between those roles can actually help support someone more fully. Something to think about What do I actually expect from an elder? How much time and responsibility does this elder carry alongside his work and family? Does he have enough room for his own family, rest, and health? What role do age, experience, and local circumstances play? What training does he have for the specific issue I’m coming to him with? Is my problem mainly about faith, or is professional expertise also needed? How well does he know my personal circumstances? Is his advice based on a clear Bible principle, an organizational guideline, or his application of a principle? Can I ask him what his advice is based on? What happens when different elders assess my situation differently? How is human error recognized and corrected? Can someone step down as an elder without others immediately drawing conclusions from it? Can I respect an elder and still come to a different personal conclusion? Where does an elder’s responsibility end and my own responsibility before God begin? In closing An elder within Jehovah’s Witnesses carries significant responsibility. In addition to the religious activities in which other publishers participate, he may prepare meetings, take the lead in the preaching work, visit congregation members, hold discussions, handle serious congregation matters, and carry out various organizational tasks. Many elders combine this with paid work and a family. Jehovah’s Witnesses themselves acknowledge that this can demand a lot and emphasize that an elder must not neglect his family. In congregations with few elders, one man may also carry multiple responsibilities. At the same time, his position can carry a lot of influence. Congregation members may entrust him with highly personal information, weigh his counsel heavily, and depending on the situation, be affected by his judgment of conduct or repentance. That is why the picture of an elder is not only that of someone who has authority or responsibility , but also of someone from whom a great deal may be expected . His appointment does not automatically make him professionally trained or infallible. At the same time, he may invest a great deal of time, energy, and personal involvement in people who ask him for help. Perhaps that is exactly where an important balance lies: How do you make sure that someone responsible for the spiritual care of others has enough time, support, rest, and space to carry that responsibility carefully? Sources JW.org - How do elders help the congregation? The Watchtower - September 2023 - Lessons from Peter’s two letters The Watchtower - 2024 - Show appreciation for the “gifts in men” The Watchtower - December 2023 - Young brothers, become spiritually mature Watchtower Online Library - Overseers as shepherds of the flock Watchtower Online Library - publications on balancing family life and eldership JW.org - Bible texts for our life as Christians - Overseers, elders New World Translation - 1 Samuel 16:7; 1 Timothy 3:1-7; 5:8; Titus 1:5-9; 1 Peter 5:1-3; Hebrews 13:17 See also in the A-Z Glossary of Jehovah’s Witnesses B - Repentance - Who decides whether someone has repented sufficiently? C - Committee of elders - How are serious congregation matters handled? D - Ministerial servant - How do you become a ministerial servant and what tasks does he have? H - Shepherding visit - What happens during a shepherding discussion? K - Circuit overseer - What responsibility does a circuit overseer have? O - Organizational structure - How does leadership work within Jehovah’s Witnesses? V - Field service - What place does preaching have in a Jehovah’s Witness’s life? V - Disfellowshipping - What does it mean when someone is removed from the congregation?