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The New Testament Pattern Includes Elders

Over this issue of the CHRISTIAN WORKER, and the next, we have articles dealing with the eldership and with concerns, such as discipline, that immediately demand the attention of elders. We are not at all suggesting that congregations must have elders prior to carrying out disciplinary action or doing any other work that God expects of his people. Rather, with the assumption that most congregations have elders, and recognizing that the eldership is in God’s plan for the church, the matter of discipline and every other matter must be of concern to the elders.

But one brother lamented, “We are running out of elders,” and another said, “We have elders, but the men give some attention to church finances, and no attention to matters of watchcare of souls.” The first brother may well be stating the truth, as congregations are finding fewer men willing to thus serve. This, no doubt, can be attributed to (1) The unscriptural teaching over these last years to the effect that elders have no authority, (2) The lack of respect now given to those serving as elders, and (3) General ignorance of God’s plan in this regard, and the true work that elders are to do.

We know that the second brother speaks truth. With New Testament emphasis on elders feeding the flock (Acts 20:28), overseeing the flock (Acts 20:28), having watchcare of souls (Hebrews 13:17), etc., we certainly have let things get out-of-balance in seeing elders as business and financial managers and, over time, both the elders and the people then embrace that as the total work of elders.

Now, how is it all to be corrected, that we once more, in this area, seek God after “the due order” (1 Chronicles 15:13)? We narrow this down with a few points:

(1) The problem will not be corrected by those who already hold views of the eldership in violation of the New Testament truth. These have deviated from truth, and are hardly in a position to lead the saints to truth.

(2) The problem will not be corrected, we’re sure, by those now serving as elders, and who enjoy the role of business managers, but who have little interest in the spiritual welfare of God’s children. These either never knew the correct functions of elders, or else they gladly gave up spiritual responsibilities in order to major in church finances.

(3) Perhaps other points could be made in this regard, but we may as well get to it: The problem will be corrected by a knowledge of God’s Word on the part of the brethren, and by their insistence on following God’s plan in the congregations. We have no governing body to decree concerning corrections of this sort, but must, of course, rely on that one stated authority over us, furnishing us completely, the Scriptures (2 Timothy 3:16, 17). As long as brethren are in ignorance as to God’s teaching on the eldership, they will care little about the men appointed, and even less about how they apply themselves in their work.

Preachers and teachers can thus see their responsibilities just here. Wayward brethren will not be speaking truth in this or any other area. Those with unscriptural views of the eldership will not be calling for a return to God’s order. Those who see the eldership as something other than personal involvement in the feeding, overseeing and watchcare of souls will hardly be expected to stress the very things they’re guilty of neglecting. And, what forces within a congregation will be thus calling men to study the New Testament, and the eldership, to see just what God expects?

Very clearly, it will be the teachers and preachers who sound forth that call. The charge is, “Preach the word!” (2 Timothy 4:2). And in approaching that charge, we immediately know that the items being presented may well be, and should be, the truth, but that will not keep them from being resisted. On the basis of ignorance, much truth is resisted. Men can be so long in ignorance and error that the truth seems to them to be a new and strange thing, to be resisted. Things can be terribly perverted, as in Isaiah’s time (Isaiah 5:20), but God’s man will still speak truth! Truth, being of God, is a powerful force, and it must be spread abroad.

All who teach and preach have their work cut out for them. We’ll have godly, spiritual, and functioning elders when the brethren in the congregations want them. And they’ll not want them until they see the need for them, and see that God has spoken in this area. And they’ll not see things until those who teach and preach point to them, over and over again, until proper convictions are developed.

Christian Worker, May 1989