CHAPTER XV — The Elders and Their Work

CHAPTER XV --- The Elders and Their Work XV. THE ELDERS AND THEIR WORK
By ELDON A. SANDERS

One of the most important problems of the church of Christ concerns the elders and their work. The social nature of man is such that someone must lead. Lest someone assume the role of a dictator, the proper man must be placed in a position of authority according to established law. As leadership is essential in every form of organized society, it is essential in the church of Christ. Thus God has provided for the appointment of elders in this divine institution. The success of each church is dependent upon leadership and the attitude of the members as expressed in their cooperative spirit which should be manifested by the members and the elders. As the destiny of many souls is involved, each church should strive to accomplish the two fold mission of the church which Jesus included in the commission: “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations. . . . Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you” (Matthew 20:19-20). In the teaching of the gospel to the lost and to the members of the church, Paul included certain types of teachers including pastors or elders: “And he gave some, apostles, and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, the cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ” (Ephesians 4:11-15). As we are living in an age in which the church must yield an influence for righteousness as the salt of the earth and the light of the world, every church should strive for efficiency in the worship and the various activities in which the members may engage as a group and as individuals. As the efficiency of a congregation depends upon the leadership, we must have leaders who are scripturally qualified and who have a good understanding of the great work which they have assumed the responsibility to do.

QUALIFICATIONS OF ELDERS
The qualifications which an elder should possess are important as problems will arise in the course of their admin-istration which can be settled only by a wise, prudent, and judicious application of general principles. Hence elders should be men of rare and superior qualifications, which are the qualifications specified for leadership in the church of the Lord. The qualifications which have been set forth by Paul may be classified as positive and negative:

POSITIVE QUALIFICATIONS (1 Timothy 3:2-7)
1. Blameless, a man against whom no evil charge can be sustained.
2. Husband of one wife, according to divine law.
3. Vigilant, watchful with regard both to himself and the congregation (Ezekiel 3:17-21).
4. Sober-minded, of sound and well balanced mind.
5. Of good behaviour, of good manners, chaste, courteous and polite in his whole demeanor.
6. Given to hospitality, a lover of strangers. 
7. Apt to teach, an accurate understanding of God’s will to man and the ability to communicate to others:
“Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to
exhort and to convince the gain- sayers” (Titus 1:9).
8. Patient, steadfast in righteousness.
9. One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity.
10. Good report of them who are not Christians.

NEGATIVE QUALIFICATIONS
1. Not given to wine, should not indulge in drinking wine or any intoxicating liquors.
2. No striker, not quarrelsome, but a peaceable man.
3. Not greedy of filthy lucre, not a person who gains money by base or dishonorable means.
4. Not a brawler, not given to strife, but quiet and peaceable.
5. Not covetous, not a lover of money, “For the love of money is the root of all evil” (1 Timothy 6:10).

DUTIES OF ELDERS
The duties of elders have been implied by the titles which have been given to them:
1. Elder, which refers to “a person occupying any office appropriate to such as have experience and dignity
which age confers; as, the elders of Israel; the elders of the Apostolic church.”
2. Shepherd and pastor, which have the meaning of one who tends or feeds.
3. Bishop and overseer, which have the meaning of one who oversees, superintends or supervises.
4. Ruler, one who exercises authority.
5. Steward, one who is in charge of and at once responsible for things of value which belong to another.
6. Leader, one who has the authority to precede and direct.
7. Ensample, one who serves as a pattern or model to be imitated. As we study the history of the church in Jerusalem, we find that the elders advised concerning the problem of circumcision: “And the apostles and elders came together for to consider this matter” (Acts 15:6). “And as they went through the city, they delivered them the decrees for to keep, that were ordained of the apostles and elders which were at Jerusalem” (Acts 16:4). Thus the elders should serve the church by considering the various problems of the church as a whole or of the individual members thereof. The elders as shepherds should tend and feed the flock. David described the work of the shepherd: “He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness” (Psalms 23:2-3). The bishops or overseers should oversee, superintend or supervise the activities of the flock and all things which pertain to the spiritual welfare of the members. Paul said unto the elders of the church at Ephesus: “Take heed unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers to feed the church of God, which he purchased with his own blood” (Acts 20:28). Unto his brethren Peter said: “Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind” (1 Peter 5:2). Hence the bishops should supervise the selection of deacons and their activities. They should direct the worship in order that everything may be done decently and in order. They should superintend the Bible school, select the teachers, organize the Bible classes according to the interests and needs of the various groups of members, decide upon the time for revival meetings, select the evangelist and missionaries and outline their program of work. As rulers the elders should exercise authority even as Paul said: “One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity: for if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?” (1 Timothy 3:4-5). Paul admonished the brethren at Thessalonica to have the right attitude toward them who had rule over them in the Lord: “And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labor among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; ... Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, support the weak, be patient toward all men” (1 Thessalonians 5:12-14). Also to Timothy he said: “Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honor” (1 Timothy 5:17). Unto the Hebrews: “Obey them that rule over you, and submit yourselves” (Hebrews 13:17). The elders as stewards must be responsible for the de-velopment and proper use of the talents of the membership of the church. “For a bishop must be blameless as the steward of God” (Titus 1:7). He must be faithful for “It is required in stewards that a man be found faithful” (1 Corinthians 4:2). The elders should inspire the congregation to give themselves unto the Lord and to be liberal in the contribution of their means for the advancement of the Kingdom of God on earth. The church needs leaders who lead and show the way of righteousness by their deeds rather than merely tell of the way. Perhaps too many who serve as bishops are like the parent who commands his child to do as he says and not as he does. The elders must be ensamples to the flock: “Not as being lords over God’s heritage, but ensamples to the flock” (1 Peter 5:3). As Paul admonished the brethren at Philippi to imitate him, so should an elder be able to exhort his brethren: “Brethren, be imitators together of me, and observe carefully those thus walking, as ye have us for an ensample” (Php_3:17) Paul gave an admonition which may be applied by elders today: “But be thou an example of the believers in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity” (1 Timothy 4:12). Therefore elders should be examples to the flock in manner of life, attendance of services, loyalty and devotion to truth, and in manifesting a cooperative spirit for the advancement of the cause of Christ.

ATTITUDE OF MEMBERS
The importance of the work of the elders has been em-phasized by the Holy Spirit in the teaching of the members to have the proper attitude toward the leaders of the church: “Obey them that 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). “And we beseech you, brethren, to know them that labor among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; And to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake” (1 Thessalonians 5:12-13). “Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially they who labor in word and doctrine” (1 Timothy 5:17). A capable elder is indeed a ruler who serveth: “For whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant” (Matthew 20:26-27).

CONCLUSION
Surely, “This is a true saying, If a man desireth the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work” (1 Timothy 3:1). As the office of a bishop indicates a position in which men may serve as an elder, shepherd, ruler, steward, leader, and en- sample, they who serve should heed the admonition of Paul to the elders of the church at Ephesus: “Take heed unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood” (Acts 20:28). For “When the chief shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away” (1 Peter 5:4).