THE NEED FOR AN ELDERSHIP IN EVERY CHURCH Garland M. Robinson What is the most pressing need of any congregation? A better meeting place? Better trained Bible teachers? A faithful Gospel preacher? Perhaps more money to support more work for the Lord. What if you were able to supply one or all of these. If you could do one thing for the church where you worship, what would it be? Though most of these are pressing needs, there is a need far greater than any and all of them, that is, a qualified, faithful, godly eldership in every congregation! With a faithful eldership, the needs of the church will be taken care of. [Men who are not scripturally qualified cannot be faithful elders until they become qualified (1 Tim. 3:1:7; Titus 1:5-11)]. Jesus did not intend to leave His church to be a formless, leaderless group of unguided people. God intended the church to be the ekklesia — the “called out.” His church is to be a thoroughly ordered body of people, not a chaotic, self-willed sect. The church of Christ is made up of people who are obedient to God’s will — the Faith, the Gospel. Elders are the “key” men in the church. Their function is to oversee/superintend. That is, they have been given the charge to see to it that what is done, is done correctly/rightly. They will integrate and harmonize the work of evangelists, deacons, teachers, members — the entire membership. A strong, faithful eldership in every congregation is one of the surest ways to stand before the Lord one day and hear him say, “well done thou good and faithful servant” (cf. Matt. 25:21,23). On the other hand, an unqualified eldership is a sure way to fail in God’s work. Such a congregation cannot be what it’s supposed to be with an unqualified eldership. Why do not more churches have qualified overseers? Several questions much first be answered. How many churches really want godly elders? How many Christians really want elders? Would the average church’s membership tolerate real New Testament shepherds? It is sad, but many Christians are in such a state that it is doubtful they would tolerate someone scripturally watching for their souls. How many are willing to submit their spiritual welfare to the care and keeping of the elders (pastors, shepherds, overseers) of the church? ELDERS ARE NOT OPTIONAL Congregations must realize that elderships are not optional. We do not have the liberty to have elders or not have elders. We do not have the option of forming another system to oversee the flock on a permanent basis (such as the general men’s business meeting). The men’s business meetings are attended by the faithful and unfaithful, the novice and experienced, the learned and the unlearned. Such meetings are sometimes characterized by friction, strife and division. They are many times dominated by a small minority or sometimes a single individual who can maneuver and manipulate others to vote the way he desires. The work of the Lord is not carried on by popular (majority) vote! Nor is it carried on by minority vote! Nothing will ever work successfully when everyone is in charge, yet no one is in charge! However, in the absense of qualified men to be elders, the word of God compells each congregation to carry on the business of the church. Decisions have to be made and things have to be done in the work of the Lord. Therefore, it is obvious that the mature, faithful male members carry on the work of the Lord. Concentration must be given to obtaining a qualified eldership as quickly as possible. The only alternative would be to disband as the Lord’s church. We must not let the devil have his way. Let’s march on in following our Master to our heavenly reward. Every congregation should want and desire elders because it is the will of God! Paul said to Titus, “For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee” (Titus 1:5). It is obvious the congregations in Crete did not have elders. As Paul and Barnabas appointed elders in every church (Acts 14:23), Titus was to do the same. No other individuals have the obligation or responsibility of those who are elders. A congregation will never be fully organized until the will of God is carried out in this area. The number one reason why every congregation should have elders is that it is the will of God. ELDERS HAVE THE OVERSIGHT Elders have the responsibility of seeing to it that God’s will is obeyed. They do not make laws where God made none. Neither do they ignore the laws He did make. They simply carry out the laws God has commanded! God has given them authority to see that it’s done. Elders are to “TAKE HEED” to themselves and to the flock. “Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood” (Acts 20:28). The word “heed” means to “hold to, turn one’s attention to.” The Holy Spirit made them overseers and they have the right to turn their attention to every member and see to it that what they are doing is pleasing unto the Lord. They are to “TEND” the flock. In 1 Peter 5:1-3 we read, “The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.” The word “tend” or “feed” means “to shepherd, to nourish, promote the interest of, direct, superintend, to rule.” Elders have the “RULE” over the congregation. “Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief” (Heb. 13:17). “Rule” means “to go before, to be a leader, to rule, command, to have authority over, leading in respect to influence, controlling in counsel.” They must give the congregation organization and direction. They must communicate with them, evaluate the work, always be alert for ways to use every member to the fullest of their ability. Elders have the duty of keeping the church “PURE.” In doing so, they teach the word (1 Tim. 3:2) They are able by sound doctrine to “convict the gainsayers” (Titus 1:5). “Convict” means to “bring to light, expose, demonstrate, convince, reprove and correct those who speak against or contradict the truth.” They are to “warn the unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all” (1 Thess. 5:14). They take the lead in church discipline (2 Thess. 3:6). Though they are responsible for each of the souls entrusted to their care and have authority from God in carrying out their task, they are not to be lord’s over God’s heritage (1 Peter 5:3). This means they must not rule with an iron hand or dictatorial spirit. They are not to love the pre-eminence as Diotrephes (3 John 9). Instead, they are to be gentle and not self-willed. WHAT FAITHFUL ELDERS WILL DO They will be diligent students of the Bible. It’s hard to be a coach if you don’t know the rules of the game. Therefore, elders will keep themselves informed of false doctrines and take seriously their responsibility to guard the church. They will know the needs of the membership and strive to meet those needs according to the Word. They will know the Bible teachers and be assured of their soundness and faithfulness. This will also involve making sure the literature used is true to the Bible. They are men who will hold fast the faithful word and be able “by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince [convict] the gainsayers” (Titus 1:5). They are men who have the courage and willingness to meet error head-on. They will inoculate the members against the errors that run rampant. They will close the pulpit and classroom to false teachers. When there are no elders, it’s more difficult to stop false teachers. Some will have objections of one sort or another. People will become upset and division occurs. With elders, they can put a stop to it and the faithful will stand behind them. Some may voice objection, but they will learn they cannot have their way. They will uphold the hands of those who preach the word. This is extremely important! They will let the congregation know what was preached is the will of God and if anyone has any objection, see them about it, not the preacher. They will take the church out of the secular education, entertainment and recreation business. Youth activities often siphon funds from the church treasury to support fun and games and other non-spiritual matters. There is no Bible authority for the church support of such things. “And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus” (Col. 3:17). It is the work of the home to supply these needs, not the church. They will make every effort to restore the church to her ancient simplicity and purity as authorized by the scriptures. An appeal to the “old paths” is always foremost in their minds. They will see to it that God’s word is obeyed in all things. They will show the way by example. CONCLUSION If you work under good elders, be thankful and hold up their hands. Never be a worry to them. Pray for them. Work with them. If you do not have elders where you worship, let it be foremost in your mind that as soon as there are qualified men, they will be appointed. Working under faithful men will stir your soul unto a greater zeal for the Lord. Work for the day there will be such godly, sound, faithful, qualified men among you!
Posted on: Fri, 07 Jun 2013 09:23:40 +0000
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