Elders Appointed to Service - Not to Office
Quick take: Here for your inspection is a technical note by a bold pioneer, truly before his time. For those readers with a scholarly bent.
Alex is challenging the status quo regarding the imaginary order of "office of elder". Actually there is no such thing any more than there exists an office of older women. Both groups have high standards to perform as examples to the younger ones. Both are to be sober, not using wine in excess, etc.
What's the point? The point is that the senior members - PLURAL - are to be shepherds of God's flock. Most Christian seniors today are oblivious to this fact and unknowingly abdicate their role and responsibilities to a single person.
God's plan for church oversight is a team effort. A team of co-equals!