Elders In The Church
August, 1998
----- The Question -----
CAN YOU PLEASE EXPLAIN TO ME THE EXACT ROLE THAT ELDERS PLAY IN THE CHURCH
----- Andy's Answer -----
This is a two sided question. The role that they ARE playing or the role they SHOULD play?
(The ROLE they ARE playing) Many (I say "many" because this is not the case with ALL) elders in the church are similar to bosses in businesses. They are especially concerned about the finances of the church, where the money goes, how much comes in, etc. They tell everyone what to do and see to it that they are getting it done. They resolve problems or make decisions on what to do with the problem, then let the congregation know what is to be done about the problem. In many cases, they are simply referees. In this case, the elders play a very defensive role.
(The ROLE they SHOULD play) It should be an "offensive" role in the saving and keeping saved the souls of those they shepherd. When you look to the scriptures and see the description of the elders, you find them actively working in the congregation.
Acts 20:28-32--28--Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears. So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.
From this you can see they are to watch out for, not financial or physical, but spiritual problems. Further, the more important part is to "shepherd the church of God." Feed the church, nurture the church. The ONLY way that can be done is for the elders to study and know the "word of His grace" and be built by it so they can be able to build others and see to it others have the inheritance as well. Some would tell me they must also have a handle on the money, but as you can see, the emphasis is not the money. As a matter of fact, those who are interested in "spiritual" matters have very little concern for "money" matters. However, if a member is stealing money, that is not a money matter, it is spiritual. If the church is wasting the Lord's money, that is a spiritual matter. The problem is many elders see the money of the church as most important and forget about the souls of the people.
Another passage is found in 1 Peter 5:1-4--The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed: Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.
Again you can see how God's word describes the elders as a service, not as a boss. The congregation is "entrusted" to them. Therefore, they suffer for them, they nuture them, they lead them instead of drive. Elders are examples of all that is good and holy. That does not mean arrogant, on the contrary, it would mean humble and caring. That's why the qualifications of an elder include--temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach; not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not covetous;--1 Timothy 3:2-3
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