They Want Me to Be An Elder! What Do They Do? by Winslade Brian

Author:Winslade, Brian [Winslade, Brian]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Oikos Books
Published: 2018-06-26T16:00:00+00:00

THREE

OUR RELATIONSHIP TOWARD ELDERS

As noted in Chapter One, according to Acts 14:23 whenever Paul and Barnabas planted a church in their missionary journeys they appointed elders. It was the responsibility of those elders to watch over their church’s operation and development. They operated in a role of spiritual leadership and pastoral oversight. We’ve turned the spotlight onto some of the specific functions of elders that are mentioned in the Scriptures, and also the necessary qualifications for eldership, most of which have to do with character and maturity rather than spiritual “gifting”.

In this Chapter we shift the spotlight off those called to eldership and shine it onto the congregation as a whole: those people in the church whom elders are called to lead. We need to consider the way we are called of God to relate towards those people charged with eldership responsibilities. The New Testament has some specific advice regarding the manner in which we view the office of an elder, and there are many lessons that the modern-day church needs to learn in this regard.

Consider, for instance, the following four passages that speak of our relationship towards those in eldership:

1 Timothy 5:17-20

The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honour, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says, “Do not muzzle the ox while it is treading out the grain,” and “The worker deserves his wages.” Do not entertain an accusation against an elder unless it is brought by two or three witnesses. Those who sin are to be rebuked publicly, so that the others may take warning.

1 Thessalonians 5:12,13

Now we ask you, brothers, to respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you.Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other.

Hebrews 13:7

Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith .

Hebrews 13:17

Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you.

From these passages four principles emerge concerning the relationship on the part of church members toward those appointed to the office of elder in the local church.

1. Eldership is a God-ordained office in the church that we are to respect

We need to acknowledge a healthy tension between two theological principles that appear paradoxical. On the one hand the New Testament teaches emphatically the doctrine of the “priesthood of all believers.” All Christians are priests before God in the sense that they are able to enter into personal relationship and communication with Almighty God, and to be his representative before others. There is no need for an intermediary “priest” to tell us what God wants for us or from us; each of us is able to hear and discern the will of God for ourselves.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.