Elders

Sunday Sermons

Mark Dunagan
05/27/07 - Sunday Morning

Elders

Extending the life of an Eldership

In this lesson I want to explore Scriptures that mention what our relationship should be to an eldership that we are under, and what practical things that we can do to extend the time that elders are able to serve.

James 5:14-16

“Is anyone among you sick? Then he must call for the elders of the church and they are to pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; and the prayer offered in faith will restore the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up, and if he has committed sins, they will be forgiven him. Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much”

This verse may be referring to either a time when miraculous gifts were operational (1 Corinthians 13:8ff), and elders possessed them and were able to heal physical ailments or the healing under consideration could be a restoration from sin. Staying out of a habitual sin is one of the best things we can do to not burn out an eldership.

· Observe that one reason why the man in this verse is restored is because he has called for the elders of the church. Elders are not discouraged when a member is struggling, rather they become discouraged when the member does not ask or resists help.

· Elders would prefer to be brought in when a problem is still workable, rather than being reluctantly informed after a member has lost the motivation to change.

· Elders are encouraged and honored when a member comes to them and says, “I need help and I am ready and willing to work on this issue in my life”. Elders are discouraged when they hear about an issue second or third hand and then have to investigate and pursue a member who is making themselves hard to contact.

1 Timothy 3:11

“Women must likewise be dignified, not malicious gossips, but temperate, faithful in all things”

· This verse is discussing not female elders or deacons (for both those offices require a man, 3:2,12), rather it is describing the character of the wife of an elder or deacon.

· We need to remember that unjust or unkind criticism against an elder (or deacon) will often be heard, and felt by his wife and children. Often such criticism is harder on his wife and kids than upon himself. It is very difficult for a wife to stand by and remain silent when her husband is being treated in a manner that violates Matthew 7:12.

· No godly husband is going to continue to serve as an elder if it starts impacting negatively upon the spiritual, emotional or even physical health of his loved ones. He made a commitment to his wife long before he made a commitment to the local congregation, and such a man is always mindful that his primarily directive as a husband is to protect his wife (Ephesians 5:23), see to it that she gets to heaven (5:26), and provide an atmosphere where she is “nourished” and “cherished” (5:29).

His children

“He must be one who manages his own household well, keeping his children under control with all dignity” (1Timothy 3:4); “Having children who believe” (Titus 1:6).

· A congregation has a golden opportunity with the children of an elder. The way a congregation encourages, supports, and works with their family can motivate the sons of any elder to seriously consider following in this father’s footsteps.

· Yet the opposite is equally true. An elder who serves in a congregation where life is not pleasant will often move the children of an elder, (especially the sons) to never want to serve in such a capacity. I have known a number of men, who because of what they saw their father experience as an elder, have no interest in serving in this capacity.

1 Thessalonians 5:12-13

“But we request of you, brethren, that you appreciate those who diligently labor among you, and have charge over you in the Lord and give you instruction, and that you esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Live in peace with one another”

John Stott entitles this section, “How to be a gospel church”.

· “That you appreciate”:

“Recognize them for what they are” (Vincent p. 47). “The idea of knowing fully, appreciating at their true worth. It indicates that they had not realized as they should the rightful position of the people in question, and they are called upon to learn the true situation” (Morris p. 165). “Knowing the worth of a person and hence showing them appropriate respect, 1 Corinthians 16:18” (Marshall pp. 146-147).

· “Who diligently labor among you”:

It means to 'toil, strive, struggle and to grow weary in doing so'” (Stott p. 119). The word "labor" is often applied to the work engaged by evangelists and elders (Philippians 1:22; Colossians 1:29). This should remind us that these fields of service are not for the lazy and unmotivated. Fulfilling the task of an evangelist or elder, and doing the job right, will involve hard work.

· “Have charge over you”:

“Lit., those who stand in front of you” (Robertson p. 36). “Lit., who are placed before you” (Vincent p. 47). “Originally to ‘put oneself at the head’ or ‘go first’. Then metaphorically it came to mean ‘protect’ or ‘care for’, the notions of ‘leading’ and ‘caring’ seem to be combined” (Stott p. 120). The phrase "in the Lord" informs us that elders have the right to admonish or encourage us anytime our attitude or conduct becomes inconsistent with the Lord's will, or when it prevents us from doing His will.

· “And admonish you”:

To put in mind, (by implication) to caution or reprove gently, admonish, warn. “Putting sense into the heads of people”(Robertson p. 36). This word is often associated with teaching (Colossians 1:28; 3:16). Morris notes, “While its tone is brotherly, it is big-brotherly” (p. 166). This admits that situations will arise in which the elders need to admonish various members, yet how we respond to this correction can go a long way toward encouraging them to keep on helping God’s people. It can be very discouraging to work with people and invest time and love into them only to see one’s instruction being ignored or rejected. Elders are motivated to help people when they see members successfully implementing the instruction that was offered to them from God’s word. Thus we need to be humble, inside and out when we are admonished.

· “Esteem them very highly in love”:

“Hold them in special esteem and affection” (Mof). “Inserted to show that this should be done without stint” (Morris p. 167). “Those who are recognized as leaders must be given appropriate respect. Paul emphasizes that such respect must be shown in full measure and it must not be grudging or partial” (Marshall p. 148). “He wants them to be loved, and not thought simply as the cold voice of authority. Love is the characteristic Christian attitude to man, and this should be shown within the church. Especially is this so in relationships like those between rulers and the ruled, which in other groups of men are apt to be formal and distant” (Morris p. 167). “What attitude should the local congregation adopt towards its elders? They are neither to despise them, as if they were dispensable, nor to flatter or fawn on them as if they were popes or princes, but rather to respect them” (Stott p. 121). “For their works sake”: “For the sake of their work” (Mof). The reason of the respect is the work they are doing. It is not a question of personal prestige” (Barclay p. 239). “It is not a matter of personalities. It is the good of the church that is the important thing” (Morris p. 167). Marshall notes, “Paul adds that such respect is to be shown in love. It does not spring from fear, from an unwilling submission but from love and gratitude for their service in the gospel” (p. 149). Erdman notes, “It is not enough to respect those who are leaders in the church, to refrain from criticizing them, or to honor them for the work they are called to do. All Christians must help them and share in their labors” (p. 67). See 1 Thessalonians 5:14). “It is a matter of fact that we are often slow to realize to this day that effective leadership in the church of Christ demands effective following. If we are continually critical of them that are set over us, small wonder if they are unable to perform the ‘miracles’ that we demand of them”(Morris p. 167). We must never downplay the importance of the work they perform (Hebrews 13:17). Such “esteem” also includes speaking respectfully about the elders in front of others, especially our children.

· “Be at peace among yourselves”:

This seems to be connected with what Paul has just previously stated. Stott notes, “This combination of appreciation and affection will enable elders and people to ‘live in peace with each other’” (p. 121).

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