“First among Elders”:

As far as eldership goes, Mark Dever has noted in his Nine Marks of a Healthy Church that the great increase in conversions and churches on America’s frontier caused ELDERSHIP to DISAPPEAR and the single pastor to takes its place (p. 229). According to Dever the elder pattern just couldn’t handle the influx.
However, that was maybe 200,000 to 2,000,000 people coming into churches. Today we’re talking about 300,000,000 lost people in America! Do you honestly think the elder pattern can handle it? IT BETTER! It’s the only biblical pattern there is, and it is the only form of leadership that will spread correct doctrine and true, sustainable growth.
Eldership is the way the church entrusts the deposit of the church to new converts. The best form of eldership is having the understanding of a “first among equals” in eldership. There ought to be the idea of a leader, one who has equal power but is recognized as the eldest elder.
Having a “first among equals” among the elders is crucial for when the church begins to grow. This will help ensure that churches can grow with just one elder at the start, but converts must be encouraged to strive for eldership once the congregation realizes they meet the biblical standards and would be helpful for the church.