The Need For Strong Leadership
Robert Meredith
The Church of our Lord is the most precious organization ever known to man. Isaiah proclaimed that it would be “exalted above the hills” (Isaiah 2:2). The church is indeed the greatest institution ever known. One reason for her greatness is that she is composed of the ones who have been sanctified and cleansed when they obeyed the gospel (Ephesians 5:26). Our Savior, as the Head of the church of Christ, has given to man His instructions on how it is to be organized and all other areas of her work.
The Holy Spirit guided the Apostle Paul to warn the elders of the Ephesian congregation about the need for strong leadership and the possibility of the flock being led astray. He warned, “Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which He hath purchased with His own blood. For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Therefore watch,
and remember that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears” (Acts 20:28-31). Elders indeed have a great responsibility and should be remembered often in our prayers. They have the awesome task of not only watching out for their own souls, but also the souls of those entrusted to their care. The Hebrew writer exhorted, “Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you” (Hebrews 13:17).
God in His infinite wisdom decreed that His church was to be overseen by a plurality of men who met certain qualifications (1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1). Without elders, a spiritual infant or a doctrinal extremist would have just as much say as a loyal, seasoned saint. Elders have the responsibility of overseeing the flock (Acts 20:28), watching for souls (Hebrews 13:17), feeding and guarding spiritually (Acts 20:28-31), and being knowledgeable in the Word and stopping false teaching (Titus 1:9). When the eldership is not what it should be we are inviting crisis. Each one should be striving to live the type of life set forth for an elder. The church of today and of tomorrow needs qualified godly men who love God, His Word, and the souls of mankind. Many congregations have departed from the “old paths” (Jeremiah 6:16) because there were not sound men (Titus 2:1) in leadership positions. This lack of leadership will effect that congregation for generations.
Former President James Garfield, who was an elder at one time, made a statement to the effect that he was stepping down from the highest office to assume the presidency. Truly the office and work of an elder is the greatest in the world. Let us remember our elders in our prayers, tell them how much we appreciate their devotion and strive to continue to develop ourselves so that this congregation can be all that it can be today and in the future.