The Divine Organization Of The Church -- No. X
To the elders of the church at Ephesus, Paul said "Take heed . . . unto yourselves" (Acts 28:28). Pete: admonished elders to be "ensamples to the flock." (I Pet 5:3). The importance of this duty is further emphasized in Heb. 13:7, "Remember them which have the rule over you ... whose faith follow ..." In this passage we have two ideas expressed: the elders are to rule over the congregation and the congregation is to "follow" (imitate) the faith of the elders. These two ideas are by no mean: incongruous, but rather they complement each other. It is not only the duty of elders to rule the flock, but it is their duty to set the proper example before them. It is unreasonable for one to expect others to submit to his word or will unless his own life is in conformity there with. "The former treatise have I made . . . of all that Jesus began both to DO and TEACH." Acts 1:1). The life of our Lord was wholly consistent with that which He taught, and so it should be with His followers. Of the Pharisees He said, "Do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not." (Matt. 23:3). And Paul asks "Thou therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself ? thou that preachest a man should not steal dost thou steal ? Thou that sayest a man should no commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery? . . . For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you . . ." (John. 2:21-24). The obligation to "practice what you preach" does not confine itself to the evangelist, but embraces all Christians including the elders of the church. The work of an elder is to lead not drive, the flock of God into a more consecrated, godly service. If the elders so lead, and the flock so follows the example, we can be assured of a stronger church, and one more fortified and secure against error. An elder should so walk as to always be able to say conscientiously and without "tongue in check," "Be ye followers of me.' (I Cor. 11:1).
As a husband, the elder should always be a good example. Through the exercise of patience, kindness and love, wisdom and judgment he should hold the proper respect and devotion of a good and faithful wife, one who obeys rather than rules him and the church through him. The church is safe in following a man who meets this divine requirement. He should also be a good example of fatherhood; his children should reverence, respect and obey him. We should be able to see in him the ability to govern his own house, to teach and guide his children in the way of righteousness, a pattern or example of how a Christian father should conduct himself toward his children.
As a neighbor, he should be a good example, showing to the church the art of loving and doing good to those around us. With a presbytery composed of men who are living examples of the good husband, good father and good neighbor, the church can be led in the right way and will ever enjoy the respect and esteem it should haw in the community.
The elders should be good examples as teachers situations sometimes arise which demand a teacher who not only knows the truth, but who has the skillful ability to wisely teach it; one who knows how to meet any situation. Paul said, "Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man." Col. 4:6). Even words should be carefully selected and thoughtfully phrased.
An elder should be a good example in faithfulness to the church. There are elders (?) who seldom attend the Sunday morning Bible classes, are never present on Sunday night or at the midweek service, and rarely attend the regular worship on Lord's day. They, no doubt, go somewhere for worship, but their influence for good is completely lost to the congregation over which they have been appointed to serve, and their example becomes a hindrance to the cause and a stumbling-block before the world. With such an example among the elders it is next to impossible to persuade some of the members to be faithful in all their duties and responsibilities as they relate to the public worship. It is lamentable indeed that occasion or circumstance should justify calling in question the sincerity or faithfulness of an elder, either by the church or the world. This sad condition will not obtain, if, and when the teachings of the scriptures are observed both in the selection of elders, and the performance of duty by those who are selected.
It has already been pointed out, and emphasized, that one of the great duties of an elder is to set the proper example before the flock. This applies not only to what he is, or should be; but to what he does, or should do. He ought to lead the congregation into all good works. Because of his age, wisdom and experience he can see much to be done. Because of his goodness and sobriety he can command the confidence and cooperation of the flock in the accomplishment of this work. He can see opportunities that many of lesser wisdom and experience cannot see. He can see the opportunity of carrying the gospel into neighboring fields and establishing churches where none have before existed. However, this is true only if he is of such a disposition as to set the proper example of work before the congregation and is willing to lead them in the work.
An elder should be devoted to his task and willing to devote time and serious thought to his office. He should be unselfish, and ready at all times to labor and anxious to be used. He should want to spend and be spent in the service of his Lord. An elder who is selfish of time or lazy of mind or body will fail to perform his obligations. The church should be a busy workshop for the Lord and to make it so the elders must be willing to give of their time and thought and planning.
Planning is necessary to the successful operation of any work and especially is this true in the work of the church. There can be no work without planning and there can be no worthwhile plans without vision. "Where there is no vision, the people perish," (Prov. 29:18) is never more true than when spoken concerning the church. Vision is an essential element of all true success. The elders of the church today need to get a vision of the work before them and then with true and genuine devotion begin planning and working for a great future. The church today is confronted with problems grave and vexing and THE CHURCH MUST MOVE ON. Opportunities abound to spread the gospel of Christ, not only from the pulpits but from the efforts put forth by the individual members of the congregation and from the consecrated, Godly lives they live. And so the crying need everywhere is for elders with vision; elders who by their example of interest and devotion can inspire the congregations to pray and work until the utmost success has been attained.
It is the duty of the elders to stimulate and encourage the congregation as a whole, so as to cause them to feel that they are a necessary part in the affairs of the church. Christians grow by work and it is the duty of the elders to see that they have work to do. Devoted members often ask to be given work. I have known of many members leaving congregations because, they say, "There was no work for me to do," or "They are not working and I want to be where work is being done."
An elder should know the membership; their strength, abilities and capabilities; their weaknesses and temptations, that they may be used to the utmost in church activities and that they may be strengthened in living. The Lord, of course, has work for every Christian to do, but the elders can specify and encourage.
Being a shepherd to the congregation, planning for ever increasing activity, encouraging the saints, converting others to work in the vineyard, are all a part of the duty of elders, and in it all, work on their part is required.
It is the duty of the elder to exhort and convince the gainsayer. Usually we think of this duty as belonging to the preacher and when the brethren need help along such lines they usually appeal to him. But the apostle Paul says the elders must be able to do this. (Titus 1:9). If a brother is not able, he certainly should not aspire to the eldership until such time as he is.
There are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers whose mouths must be stopped. The only way on earth to stop their mouths is to confront them with the word of God. The elders of church must be able to do this.
Elders are to supervise the benevolent work of the church. In Acts 11:29,30 we read, "Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judea; Which also they did and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul." The very fact that it was sent to the elders indicates that they were to have charge of its distribution.