Devoted to the Propagation and Defense of New Testament Christianity
VOLUME 9
November 28, 1957
NUMBER 30, PAGE 6-7b

Elders And Evangelists

Robert C. Welch, Louisville, Kentucky

Somewhere along the line of departure and apostasy in church organization and evangelism the idea of "evangelistic authority" has intruded. Its first development was in the formation of Catholicism, where the priests became the rulers of the congregations. This was handed down to Protestantism as the preacher was called the "pastor," and he became the ruler of the congregation. In both instances they have no need for elders (also called bishops, pastors and overseers) of the congregation and in nearly all instances they have eliminated the office. Even where they exist, they are only figureheads, and the preacher is the actual ruler of the congregation.

When men of the past century sought to restore New Testament Christianity this was one of the points of attack. They sought to eliminate the rule of the clergy. Once again the office of bishop had real significance in the congregation. But this pristine feature soon began to made. As preachers gradually ceased the work of establishing congregations and began preaching more and more to established congregations, their training and education began to eclipse that of the bishops; and once again they came to be pastors as now found ruling in the digressive churches called "Christian Church," or "Disciples of Christ."

Then, from those remaining faithful from this digression, a new development sprang. Evangelists established congregations and, before elders were appointed, felt that these congregations needed some authoritative voice; so they became the rulers of those congregations and in many instances deterred and prevented the appointment of true overseers of the congregations. From this has come the common appellation, "evangelistic authority." One of its ramifications is the idea that preachers are not under the rule and oversight of the elders. Some may have decided that the preacher is under their rule and oversight when preaching to the congregation, but not when preaching to aliens; at least, some have been charged with holding such a view.

Congregational And Individual Oversight

Elders have the oversight of the flock (1 Pet. 5:2); hence they oversee the congregational or group functions as well as tending the individuals of the flock. A failure to recognize this analysis may have led some to think that others do not believe in elders' oversight of the evangelist in some cases. For example, a Christian might use certain literature such as the Gospel Guardian in his individual, private teaching and the elders have no right to interfere; but for the teaching of the congregation they would have the right to interfere, or even prevent his teaching. In like manner, because he is just a member of the flock too. if no question of error in teaching and life be involved, the elders could prevent an evangelist from preaching to the congregation but could not stop his individual, private teaching. If they attempted the latter they would be interfering with his personal duty to God. If such a man wanted to preach to aliens and Christians elsewhere they would have no right in the sight of God to prevent it; they would not be obligated to support him, but they would have no right to disfellowship him.

Work such as this last mentioned might be planned with him and be directly overseen by the elders. But if they should plan such a schedule of work for the evangelist and he not desire to engage in it, could they make it obligatory? The fact that they have no right to do so is evidenced in the programs of personal work and evangelism which are planned by the elders for the members but are not made obligatory. At least, the majority of the members do not engage in such programs, yet they are held in good standing as members. The evangelist would have the same personal right of demurring as any other member of the congregation.

Oversight Of "Mission Work"

When a preacher goes to a community where there is no congregation, as a result of the choice, counsel and support of another congregation, how long does he remain under the oversight of the elders of that congregation? Does he continue to remain under the oversight of the elders of that congregation after a church has been established in the community to which he has gone? Can the evangelist maintain organic connection or membership in another congregation while working and worshipping with the new one? When the new congregation is established, which one of the two congregations then determines what shall be done in his work of teaching in this congregation? It is at this point that many digress, either to the "evangelistic authority" theory, or to the Romish "Church and Missions" theory. They want to make a mission of this new congregation until elders are appointed, either under the authority of the evangelist or under the authority of the elders of the church which has supported the evangelist. Neither is scriptural.

Elders have the responsibility of tending and overseeing the flock which is among them (1 Pet. 5:2). They have no office in or connection with any other congregation. If the evangelist is assembling, worshipping and working with another congregation, the elders of the other congregation have no oversight of him in his work, he is organically connected with the new congregation in every essential feature of church membership. Until that new congregation is established it may be said that the elders have the oversight, though he may be preaching in another community where they do not have any direct or personal contact; that is, he would be amenable to them as would any other member of the flock.

The false idea seems to prevail that if a congregation supports a preacher who does some work with a weak congregation, the preacher is under the oversight of the elders of the supporting congregation while he is working with the other church. If so, there is no such thing as congregational autonomy. In such an instance the supporting congregation has the right to cease support of the evangelist when conditions warrant, and she certainly can refuse endorsement of the preacher if his conduct in the other church is wrong, and under such conditions can refuse him fellowship when he returns. But she has no right to direct his work and activity as he labors with the other congregation. The other congregation where he works has that responsibility.

Where Conflict Arises

Evangelists sustain the same relation to God and to elders as any other saint. 'When a preacher or any other Christian teaches error, in public or private, to Christians or aliens, it is the elders' responsibility to exercise correction and discipline. When any member, preacher included is sinful in conduct it is the elders' responsibility to exercise correction and discipline. In such circumstances the Christian in the wrong and especially if it is the preacher will sometimes resist such efforts of correction and discipline and will agitate a rebellion of the congregation against the elders. When such reaction is manifested there is all the more urgency for disciplinary action.

On the other hand elders are also human beings and subject to error in teaching and conduct. What happens when this unfortunately occurs? Can nothing be done to correct the matter? When a Christian including the evangelist knows of such a condition he must stand for the right trying to correct the elder and seeking for whatever disciplinary action is essential to the purity of the congregation. As in the other instance described sometimes the elder resists such efforts and retaliates by trying to remove the Christian or the evangelist. When such reaction is manifested there is all the more urgency for disciplinary am-ion from the congregation. "We must obey God rather than men." (Acts 5:29). Yet, it is at this very point that many are lulled to sleep with the theory that this would be rebellion against the elders; and that the evangelist is seeking to establish evangelistic authority over the elders. To fail to take action would he rebellion against God in such a case; and for the evangelist to stand for the right in such an instance would be to stand for the right authority, the authority of Christ.

When both elders and evangelists learn that all authority belongs unto Christ (Matt. 28:18); and that they have duties and responsibilities rather than authority; the church will be better able to go forward in peace, purity, growth and grace,