Eldership Oversight in the Twenty-First Century: : Factors Contributing to Decline

Eldership Oversight in the 21st Century brings to light patterns and factors contributing to the decline in eldership oversight seen during the twenty-first century. Members of the church participated in both surveys and interviews to provide insight into their perception of the current and past leadership status. In addition, case studies were conducted to establish how elderships are maintained or lost within the current state of the congregation.Roberts concludes that those factors which contributed to the decline in eldership oversight must be changed if the church is to grow in spirit or in number. He makes recommendations on how to change these patterns and return to a biblical form of leadership within the body of Christ. With the proper leadership structure in the church, the spiritual health and growth of the church will follow. Roberts also believes that the proper eldership oversight with its biblical origin is an important means by which the church of Christ can maintain a healthy future of existence in an ever-changing world.