Core values drive an organization, but they're only as good as they are internalized. When they become part of who we are, they can powerfully unify a diverse body, making it more effective in its mission—and no organization has a more important mission than the church.

Core values drive an organization, but they're only as good as they are internalized. When they become part of who we are, they can powerfully unify a diverse body, making it more effective in its mission—and no organization has a more important mission than the church.
The Foundation of Biblical Eldership
In 1 Peter 5:1-4, we find perhaps the most thorough passage on biblical eldership. Peter, the outspoken leader of the first church, relates to elders as a "fellow elder," establishing the first principle: equality among a plurality of elders.
Plurality of Leaders
Biblical eldership involves multiple qualified leaders who are equal in authority and responsibility.
Shepherding the Flock
Elders are called to "shepherd the flock of God that is among you," following the example of Jesus, the Chief Shepherd.
Ministry of the Word
The primary responsibility is feeding the sheep the Word of God, not merely meeting physical needs.
Learning from the Chief Shepherd
Peter's understanding of shepherding came directly from Jesus. In John 21, after Peter's denial, Jesus reinstated him with the command to "Feed my lambs...tend my sheep...feed my sheep." But what did this feeding entail?
Mark 6: Compassion for the Crowd
Jesus had compassion on the people "because they were like sheep without a shepherd and he began to teach them many things."
Feeding the 5000
Jesus miraculously fed the crowd with five loaves and two fish, meeting their physical needs.
John 6: The Bread of Life
When the crowd returned seeking more food, Jesus offered them "bread that endures to eternal life" - Himself.
True Compassion Means Teaching Truth
In John 6, Jesus demonstrated what true compassion looks like. When the crowd sought Him only for physical bread, He offered them something greater: "I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst."
Recognize deeper needs
Look beyond physical hunger
Speak difficult truths
Even when it's unpopular
Offer eternal satisfaction
Not just temporary relief
When Jesus spoke hard truths, many disciples "turned back and no longer walked with him." Yet He didn't apologize or change His message to keep followers. True compassion meant telling them what they needed to hear, not what they wanted to hear.
Peter's Application of Jesus' Example
In Acts 6, Peter faced a leadership crisis when Greek widows complained about unfair food distribution. Rather than handling it himself, Peter directed the church to appoint seven godly men for this task, stating: "But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word."
Crisis Arises
Greek widows feel neglected in food distribution
Delegation
Seven godly men appointed to handle physical needs
Focus Maintained
Elders remain devoted to prayer and teaching
Church Thrives
The whole congregation is pleased with this solution
The State of Modern Church Leadership
Many modern churches have strayed from biblical eldership, focusing on entertaining and appeasing rather than teaching God's Word. As Paul predicted in 2 Timothy 4:3, "For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions."
Entertainment Focus
Prioritizing programs and experiences over biblical teaching
Popularity Seeking
Avoiding difficult truths to maintain attendance
Shallow Teaching
Addressing only felt needs rather than spiritual growth
Doctrinal Compromise
Adapting biblical truths to fit cultural preferences
True elders demonstrate care and compassion not by giving the crowd what it wants, but what it needs—the Word of God, even when it's challenging or unpopular.
The Essence of God's Word
What is the essence of God's Word that elders are called to teach? The entire Bible, from Genesis to Revelation, tells a story of redemption rooted in God's love, summarized in John 3:16: "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life."
God's Love
The foundation of all Scripture
Christ's Sacrifice
God's love demonstrated through the Son
Eternal Life
The ultimate gift offered to believers
Biblical elders proclaim not "try harder & do better" but "come to the Good Shepherd who has laid down His life for you because He loves you." Their message is God's love and the eternal life He offers through Christ.
Wildwood's Commitment to Biblical Eldership
Biblical eldership is a core value at Wildwood because it drives faithful leadership of Christ's church. It involves a plurality of biblically qualified men, equal in authority and responsibility, whose primary function is devotion to prayer and the ministry of the Word.
Plurality of Leaders
Multiple qualified elders serving together with equal authority, providing balanced leadership and accountability.
Word-Centered Ministry
Commitment to teaching Scripture faithfully, even when difficult or countercultural, feeding the flock the bread of life.
Prayer-Driven Leadership
Decisions and direction guided by consistent, earnest prayer seeking God's wisdom rather than human preferences.
Compassionate Truth
Loving the congregation enough to speak truth rather than merely what people want to hear.