I think it would be best to retain the focus here on what the Bible actually says about "elders" instead of just giving our own thoughts and interpretations about all these other things.
We are, at least, I am, attempting to reexamine preconceived notions, not merely repeat them again.
I wish to know what the Bible says about it.
For instance, the word "eldership" is not in the Bible although clearly many people feel it is so natural to think and act as if it is something prescribed or described by the scriptures.
http://cf.blueletterbible.org/search...ldership&t=KJV
The Bible speaks of "elders" but not "eldership" so I think this is meaningful.
(The term as appears in some translations of 1 Tim 4:14 refers to a group of elders, not an office of elder.)
I would rather stick to what we can learn from the actual scriptures.