Elders are a biblical office of the church established in Scripture. Elders are called to prayer and the ministry of the Word (Acts 6:4), to teaching (1 Timothy 3:2), to shepherding and exercising oversight (Acts 20:28; 1 Peter 5:2), and to protecting against false doctrine (2 Timothy 4:2-4; Titus 1:9-11). Pastors and teachers are given to the church for equipping the saints for the work of the ministry (Ephesians 4:11-12).