The Need for Eldership: As Seen in the Actions of Paul

The Eldership

In a recent survey done a preacher in the churches of Christ, he found that it was more and more common for churches to not have proper leadership. Although some churches still have elders and that there are some who are currently in the process of electing elders, the trend is for the men to govern the local church. One question comes to mind, why? What is causing this God given form of leadership to become a thing of the past among churches of Christ?

Know this, eldership is a major need of the church. Without it, the church suffers. This bulletin neither condemns, nor condones the status of the church here in Kennett, but rather serves as a admonition to do what is right.

The Need for Eldership: As Seen in the Actions of Paul

In Titus 1:5 we find Paul leaving Titus behind in Crete, an island in the Mediterranean Sea. Paul never voyaged back there and according to the Acts account had only been their once on his way to Rome. Paul knowing he would not return to Crete explained to Titus why he was left behind, “For this reason OI left you in Crete, that you might set in order what remains, and appoint elders in every city as I directed you.” The position of an elder in the church was so important Paul left one behind he knew could prepare the churches to do so. Paul also appointed elders in the churches in Cilicia and Pamphylia. As Paul retraced his steps in his first missionary journey he appointed elders in every church (Acts 14:23). There almost seems to be a sense of urgency in both these examples. Paul was doing his best to ensure the churches were governed by elders, not the apostles, not a preacher and not a committee of men.

Why the urgency? Even in the political world we can see that without a “leader” there is often a power vacuum and these power vacuums are often dangerous and leads to those who shouldn’t be in charge to fall into power. The church is no different. The world’s Pastoral system, that is Preacher leadership, is a result of that problem. The preacher should know the right things to do, therefore he is “put in charge.” This happens in churches of Christ today when there is no eldership. Men’s meetings often replace the church and turn the church into a business based on “sound” decisions by voting as opposed to the decisions made by an eldership. Instead of being led by the elders, the church leads themselves. And, sometimes men who have no business being in a position of power in the church fill the gap because there are no men capable of doing so. Continuing without eldership can often lead to disastrous consequences.

The Need for Eldership: As Seen in its Work

The work of the elders is threefold. Their work is identified by the descriptive words used to identify what the position should be called. There are three names used.

Elder. An elder is simply by definition, one who is older. The qualifications given for an elder help explain this further. “Having Believing Children,” informs us that he is old enough to have raised his children in the Lord. With physical maturity often comes wisdom. “Not a New Convert,” informs us the an elder must be one who is also spiritually mature. And with spiritual maturity comes knowledge and application of the scriptures. Another way to look at the “elder” title is to examine it as what an elder of a city was. The elder of the city were the leaders/advisors of the city. All others looked to them because they had experienced life and would no what to do.

Overseer. The overseer is much like the English word superintendent. He oversees the workings of that which he has been assigned. He task is to ensure all are doing their jobs, and that all that is to be done, is done right. When applied to the church, one can see how important this job is. When one who does not know the scriptures, or one who is self-willed is chosen as an elder, the church is often led astray. The overseer needs to be one who is submissive to God’s commandments and is willing to follow them exactly as God has given and one who not only leads by example, but also leads by instruction.

Pastor. The pastor, or more properly translated, shepherd, is to feed and protect the flock. The pastor is to give the flock spiritual food by either teaching himself (apt to teach) or by placing one who does the job rightly in the position to preach and teach. HE is also in charge of protecting the flock from false teachers. Paul gave this charge to the elders in Ephesus and warned them to take heed and watch (Acts 20:28-31).

The Need for Qualified Elders

Just because there is a need for elders today, does not mean that we should place men in the position who are not qualified. It can be just as disastrous to place unqualified men into the position as it is to have none at all.

The qualifications for an elder can be founding I Tim 3 and Titus 1. The writer will break the into three groups; the home, the church, and the world.

Home. There are two qualifications given for an elder that deal directly with the home. The husband of one wife, and believing children. Not only is an elder to be a man, but his marriage should be one that has withstood the tests of time. He is not to be divorced, but rather he and his wife have lived together and worked together. Without getting into the debate about the age of believing children, let it simply be stated, how a child behaves is a reflection on how the child was raised.

Church. He must not just be knowledgeable concerning the scriptures, but he must be able to teach the flock and refute the false teachers.

World. He must be above reproach. The world must see him as an honest man who walks not in the ways of the world, but sees him as a servant of God.

-WTK