Seniority and Supervision, GT Manley

Elders really are elders! Should we be surprised?

But what were they "appointed" to? Oversight or bishoping - the only thing which they could be appointed to. This was understood when elders were said to be ordained. 

Was every older man to meet the qualifications of oversight? I would think so. Note how Peter addresses the older ones, who were among them. Not imported from beyond. Which has made a lot of problems in the last few hundred years. The church I was raised in, for example, was needlessly split by a young guy fresh out of seminary...

Was there a formal distinction made between elders which rule and those who teach? Not really, although in any group there will be those who excel in different areas. Remember, every elder is to be a teacher.

1 Peter. 5:-5 The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away. 

Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility:

The Reformation is now more than 500 years old. When will we come to the agreement that there are but two basic officers? Elders to shepherd and deacons to assist. Will it take another 500 years to figure this out, during which time churches continually shrink and die for the lack of a salaried "teaching" elder?