40 Questions about Elders and Deacon - Merkle, Benjamin L. (Grand Rapids, MI : Kregel Publications, 2008)
Offices in general -- Why is it important to have a biblical form of church government? -- What are the various forms of church government? -- Does the Jerusalem Council in Acts 15 support Episcopalianism or Presbyterianism? -- What New Testament evidence is there in support of congregationalism? -- Are the offices of apostle, prophet, evangelist, and priest for today? -- How many church offices are there today? -- The office of elder -- A. questions related to background issues -- What is the background of the terms "elder" and "overseer"? -- What is the origin of the Christian elder or overseer? -- Do the terms "elder" and "overseer" represent the same office? -- Does 1 Timothy 5:17 make a distinction between two types of elders? -- What is the role of an elder? -- How much authority should the elders have? -- Were Timothy and Titus pastors/elders? -- Questions related to qualifications -- What are the situational and family qualifications for an elder? -- What are the moral qualifications for an elder? -- What does it mean that an elder must be "the husband of one wife"? -- Must an elder be married and must his children be believers? -- What are the reasons for affirming that women can be elders? -- What are the reasons for affirming that women cannot be elders? (part 1) -- What are the reasons for affirming that women cannot be elders? (part 2) -- Questions related to the plurality of elders -- Should each church have a plurality of elders? -- How many elders should each congregation have? -- What is the relationship between staff members and elders? -- Should there be an equality (parity) among the elders? -- How should the elders make decisions? -- What are the advantages of having a plurality of elders? -- Why do so few churches have a plurality of elders? -- How does a church transition to a plurality of elders? -- Questions related to the selecting, ordaining, paying, and removing of elders -- How should elders be selected? -- Should elders have terms or serve for life? -- Should elders be ordained? -- Should elders be paid? -- What should be done if an elder is caught in sin? -- The office of deacon -- What is the background of the New Testament deacon? -- What are the qualifications for a deacon? -- What is the role of a deacon? -- What is the relationship between the office of deacon and the office of elder? -- What are the reasons for affirming that women can be deacons? -- What are the reasons for affirming that women cannot be deacons? -- Is it important to use the terms "elder" and "deacon"?
Keywords: Elders (Church officers) Miscellanea.Deacons Miscellanea