Cornelis Van Dam takes us on a voyage of discoveryto discover the origins and purpose of the role of Elderin the church. Van Dam does not just concentrate on afew proof texts from Paul's epistles - he shows how the Elder is a theme throughout the Old and New Testaments. Part of God's plan for keeping a healthy covenantwith his people.

To rediscover God's gift of eldership for the church today, we need to go back beyond the New Testament to the origins of the office of elder in ancient Israel. There we discover the enduring principles that guided the elder in antiquity - and that guide the church today. In this book you will develop a renewed understanding of the office of elder and of godly discipline.