What An Elder Owes The Eldership
Robert Meredith
In last weeks article we studied “What the Eldership Owes the Congregation.” This week let us look at the elder as an individual and notice what he owes the other elders. The work of an elder is an awesome responsibility. The authority does not rest in the elder, but the eldership as a whole. The Bible does not teach a one man rule. In the New Testament church there is always a plurality of men serving in the eldership. The decisions and the oversight are the work and responsibility of the group as a whole, not of just one of the men. In 3 John there was a man who loved to have the preeminence and he ran the congregation (3 John 9-10); for this Diotrephes was condemned. Since God’s plan is for a plurality of faithful men who have met certain qualifications (1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-11) to lead His congregation, let us notice a few things that are needful for these men to work together.
As just noted, in order for the work of the eldership to be done properly, the elders must work together as co-laborers. Whenever there is a group of people working together, there most likely will be problems from time to time. Sometimes there will be a man with a dominate personality who demands his way in everything. There is a congregation is another state which, because of this situation, added more elders,
because when the vote had been two to one, the dominate elder still got his way. They believed if it were four to one they could control him. There are going to be times that the decision will not be unanimous. When it is not, and as long as it does not involve a matter of doctrine, the majority should rule. Once a decision has been reached, there should be a united front from the elders. Schisms will form within an eldership and within a church if one or more elders talk about decisions and say, “Well, I was opposed to that decision, but they out voted me.” When an eldership decides on a particular item, there needs to be a united front. Too, when one thinks of co-laboring together in the Lord’s kingdom as elders, one must realize that there is no seniority in the eldership. Each elder has as much say as the next. The Bible knows nothing about junior elders or an apprentice elder. The moment a man is installed as an elder, he is on equal footing with all of them. He should not be discounted because he is new. Another aspect of working together involves the general unity of the elders. Some elders will be closer to others. Friendships will form and there is nothing wrong in this. However, all elders should be made to feel as if they were part of the team. When an elder feels like he is an outsider, there are problems within the leadership. Also, it should go without saying, that an elder can not make a decision without conferring with the rest of the elders. God has given authority to the eldership, not to a one man rule. The elders are co-laborers together.
Another thing that an elder owes the eldership is commitment. The first qualification of an elder is a man who desires the work of a bishop (1 Timothy 3:1). Desire should make one committed to his responsibility. When a man is not committed to his work, all his co-workers suffer. The congregation will not grow and thrive if the leadership is not committed to doing the best job it can. If a man no longer desires the work and responsibility that comes with being an elder, he should graciously step down.
Communication is another thing that an elder owes his fellow elders. Being able to calmly and in a Christian manner discuss the items on the agenda will make the eldership run more smoothly. Regular meeting times will help the individual elders to organize their plans for the congregation. There will certainly be times when matters will come up that will need to be handled right away, before the next elders’ meeting, but regular meetings will help keep the business of the church in the forefront of the leader’s thoughts. This would also allow members of the congregation to address concerns to the elders as a group. Too, an open discussion with all the elders is needed. Once again, things may arise that require making phone calls to talk about something, this is to be expected; but whenever possible the topics should be discussed in the presence of all the elders, so that the pro’s and con’s of the matter can be heard by everyone. An open discussion may sway an elder’s “vote” who had not fully considered all areas of a situation.
Courage is also something an elder owes the eldership. There will be difficult decisions that must be made. An elder must have the courage to take a stand. God once told Jeremiah, “Run ye to and fro through the streets of Jerusalem, and see now, and know, and seek in the broad places thereof, if ye can find a man, if there be any that executeth judgment, that seeketh the truth…” (Jeremiah 5:1). God was not simply looking for a male, but a male who had the courage and determination to do what was right. This is the type of man the Lord’s church needs today. Many hard decisions will have to be made, and an elder should not “test the winds” in matters of doctrine. It takes courage to stand against sin and error. Sometimes standing for truth might cause some to get upset and leave. This is sad for those who would leave truth, but my friends, salvation is not tied to numbers, but faithfulness.
An elder should have vision, high standards and both an understanding of God’s word and an understanding of his fellow elders. Problems do sometimes exist in an eldership. Men have different personalities, educational backgrounds, temperaments and administrative skills. Jealousy will sometimes rear its ugly head or there will be problems as to how to lead as a group or delegating authority. Just remember that Christians will look to Christ their Chief Shepherd. When one faithfully performs his role as a shepherd of God’s people, there is a great reward promised. The Apostle Peter, who was also an elder (1 Peter 5:1), wrote, “And when the Chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away” (1 Peter 5:4).