Eldership is the primary New Testament pattern of leadership and governance within the local church. In the New Testament, the words elder, overseer, pastor, and shepherd are synonymous, describing the same office, albeit with some nuances. Under God’s Word as the ultimate authority, elders are responsible for setting the spiritual vision and direction of the local church. They are also tasked with teaching and preaching the whole counsel of God, protecting the church from false teaching and teachers, counseling God’s people, caring for them, judging doctrinal issues, and mediating unresolved conflicts within the body. In sum, elders are “undershepherds” of the Great Shepherd (Jesus), and their goal is to care for the sheep like the Good Shepherd cares for them.