Preparing for the Eldership

Sunday Sermons

Mark Dunagan
02/18/07 - Sunday Morning

Desiring the Office

In this lesson we want to discuss what a man can do when young to prepare for the work of being an elder when he is older. There might be men who seem to desire to be an elder one day from almost their earliest memories, yet I believe this is rare. Never make the mistake of thinking, “Well I am young and do not have much interest in being an elder, so I don’t need to strive for the qualifications”. First, possessing the qualifications of an elder will make one a more effective and happier Christian even if one never serves in this capacity. Being skilled at teaching God’s word, having self-control, and having a happy marriage and faithful children are wonderful blessings and will only add to the richness of the Christian experience. Secondly, many men do not “desire the office” until later in life, for the simple reason that their own spiritual growth, maturity and life experience has enabled them to see the value and personal attraction of such a work.

The Shepherd

The men who serve in this office are called “elders”, “overseers”, and “bishops” (Acts 20:17,28; 1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:5-7), yet the term “pastor” or “shepherd” (Acts 20:28; 1 Peter 5:2; Ephesians 4:11) may reveal the most about this work. “Our images of shepherds have been framed by Christmastime, through the charming little figurines found on coffee-table crèche displays, or, closer to my point, the neighborhood kids in bathrobes, with towels on their heads. They are cute. Actual shepherds are rugged” (The Way of the Wild Heart, John Eldredge, p. 15). Compare with Genesis 31:40. If one is going to be a shepherd one needs to be presently working on:

· Being sacrificial with one’s time.

· Being willing to confront sin.

· Being willing to oppose false teaching and protect the souls in our family.

· Being willing to “care” and invest in the salvation of others.

· Allowing ones self to become emotionally involved in the problems among God’s people.

· Being willing to lose sleep for the sake of watching out of the spiritual welfare of others.

The Twenties

In the teens one should be developing the character to be an excellent spouse and parent and planning for financial stability. The Twenties is often the period of time in which one marries, thus:

· Marry the woman who has her own faith and she is not depending upon you to motivate her to worship (Proverbs 12:4). “A lover comes to offer his strength to a woman, not to get it from her” (Eldredge p. 13).

· Marry a woman who does not need to be motivated to read her Bible or be diligent in her prayer life.

· Marry a woman who is willing to serve others and put forth the effort and time necessary to share her home and culinary skills with others.

· Marry a woman who is optimistic about the work of spreading the gospel.

· Marry a woman who enjoys the company of Christians.

· Marry a woman who abstains from gossip.

· Marry a woman who wants to work by your side in God’s kingdom.

· Do not marry a woman who considers having others over, teaching classes, visiting, and so on, to be “the thing that he does”.

This is also the period in which one should become very familiar with the Scriptures (2 Timothy 2:15). At this stage in our lives we should be moving on from depending on parents, or the class teacher for our primarily sources of biblical information, and we should be actually studying the Scriptures ourselves. Thus, the period of the late teens and early twenties needs to be spend getting a solid biblical foundation (Colossians 1:23).

The Thirties

The twenties, as well as this decade, often include the early years of parental instruction.

· During this time a man is often trying to establish himself in his career and may then be tempted is to skimp on time with the wife and the kids. Men can also make the mistake of thinking that the time that they took a walk with the family, played catch with the kids, or played some board game, was time that they could have spent getting “something accomplished”. This is a serious miscalculation. The time a man spends with his kids talking about the big stuff, reading a book, or building a fort in the living room, takes on a new importance when one reads “He must be one who manages his own household well, keeping his children under control with all dignity” (1 Timothy 3:4); and “Having children who believe, not accused of dissipation or rebellion” (Titus 1:6). In light of these verses what might have seemed like an inconvenience or not the best use of my time, turns out to have been the best use, not only at that moment, but the best use for the future. Men need to realize during this period that having the future qualification of a good wife and faithful children (1 Timothy 3:11), will involve investing heavily in your marriage and in the lives and character of your children.

· This is also the period in which one is putting their Bible knowledge into use. Remember, the elder is one who is “apt to teach” (1 Timothy 3:2). Take advantage of opportunities to give invitations, sermons, and teach variousage groups, lead small group studies, and so on.

· The future elder must equally be able to detect false doctrine and successfully argue against it in his attempt to protect the flock, “Holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, that he may be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict” (Titus 1:9). This will involve getting a handle on the issues or controversies that have affected God’s people in the past, for these issues never go away, and will always resurface. “You must remember that divisive issues are never solved once and for all. Historically, the same subjects that divided brethren in the past, come back to divide them again. The problems may appear in a different garb, but the principles have not changed” (Preparing the Young Man to Preach, Berry Kercheville, pp. 108-109). The time to study controversial issues is before problems arise and emotions run high. Prevention is the best cure.

The Forties and Fifties

· Often this is the period when the children are now in their teens. The temptation that faces some men is to back away during this time and to get lost in the career or a hobby, yet the kids need your time, presence and wisdom in their teens more than ever.

· This may also the period in life when some men (unfortunately) start destroying the reputation or relationships that they have spent most of their lifetime building. This is not the time to lose focus. The devil has been successful in stopping some men right before they achieve the most important goals. On this note I think of David (2 Samuel 11:1ff). Hence, we cannot let the comfort, success, and routine of middle age lull us to sleep spiritually.

· This is also the period of time when some men are tempted to ridicule what is labeled “traditional” things. Rather, this is the time to understand the meaning, impact and importance of things that are viewed as traditional. For example, before one jumps on the desire to move away from suits, dress shirts and ties to a more casual attire, one needs to understand what role dress plays in attitude, and what impact this will have on the next generation. Is this a spiritual move or one motivated by desiring to conform to a casual culture? (Romans 12:1-2). Another temptation that faces men during this time in life is discouragement over conflicts and controversies among brethren throughout the nation, lack of growth in some congregations, people that fall away, and the apparent growth in religious groups that are compromising God’s standards. This is the time in life not to abandon what you believe, but rather to reevaluate one’s expectations and goals in the light of Scripture. It is an ideal time to understand the real reason one should be a Christian (1 Timothy 6:5), not popularity or trendiness, but because one loves God, and that one who love God have always been and will always be in the minority (Matthew 7:13-14).

· This is also the time in life to choose wisdom and what is right, over what seems to work or avoid friction at the moment. For example, some churches and elderships accept new members without asking any questions for fear of either offending someone or turning someone away, yet the wise man realizes that the unity and safety of the congregation is being gambled by not asking some questions (Acts 9:26). Part of the task of an elder is guarding the flock (Acts 20:29).

· John Eldredge observes that a man goes through various stages in life, and the stages he mentions are the Cowboy, the Warrior, the Lover, the King and the Sage. In one’s forties and fifties a man makes the decision between whether he wants to be viewed as hip or wise, popular or respected, possibly available, or dedicated to one woman, the cool parent, or the fair, loving and just parent, going with the cultural flow or anchored to God’s truth, a companion of youth, or a brave leader and instructor, “with it” or “with God”. Being the sage will mean telling people what they need to hear, not always what they want to hear (2 Timothy 4:2), giving them the real answer (which often involves hard work and self improvement) rather than an easy answer.

Mark Dunagan/Beaverton Church of Christ/503-644-9017