Because elder-leadership is so critical to the life and health of the church, and in light of a recent sermon I preached on Titus 1:5-16, I would like to draw out a few implications and offer several exhortations to you as it relates to engaging with the elders of your church. These comments were originally intended for the congregation of Calvary Memorial Church, but they apply equally well, I would think, in other church contexts.
First, obey your elders for your own spiritual good. Listen to Hebrews 13:17: “Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.” What this passage reminds us all of is that God puts leaders into our lives for our own good. We are to obey our leaders and submit to them because they have been entrusted with the care of our souls; and indeed they, as this passage says – a most terrifying thought – will be judged by God as to how well they did in keeping watch. So, the logic of this verse goes, make every effort to help this be for them a joy and not a burden, because you only stand to gain from their work.
Second, pray for your elders that they would have discernment. I’ve been reading through the Bible, as some of you have, and just this week read the passage from 1 Kings, where Solomon, as the newly installed king of Israel, prays to the Lord: “Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern this your great people?” (1 Kings 3:9). The ministry of an elder within the life of the local church is a kingly ministry: a ministry of overseeing and governing and ruling and leading. There are weighty and difficult decisions to be made at every turn. There are complex issues for which there seems to be no easy answer. There are difficult circumstances that require careful navigation. All of this requires, therefore, “an understanding mind to govern,” as Solomon prayed; that is, the ability to discern between good and evil. So, as Solomon prayed for himself, would you pray for your elders: “Oh, God, would you give our elders understanding minds and discerning spirits that they would be able by your Holy Spirit to govern and lead and serve this church well.”
Third, take seriously the preparation and appointment of future elders. This is of course one of the main upshots of this passage in Titus: Paul is admonishing Titus to take seriously the preparation and appointment of future elders because the long-term health and vitality of the churches in Crete depend upon it. Similarly, he says to Timothy: “what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also” (2 Tim. 2:2). This is a call to be highly intentional about raising up and then deploying new elders-leaders within the church, faithful men who will be able to minister the word to others. This church, as with any other church, will only survive if there is a continual, fresh infusion of godly leadership. So it is incumbent upon us all – and especially upon me as the Pastor and the other elders – to be identifying, cultivating and training future elders. And it is incumbent upon you, the congregation, to encourage and support this work and then, when the time comes to nominate and appoint new elders, to engage the process both thoughtfully and prayerfully.
Fourth, honor your elders for their labor of love on your behalf. Paul says to the Thessalonians: “We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work” (1 Thess. 5:12-13). And to Timothy Paul writes: “Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor” (1 Tim. 5:17). We honor our elders in a variety of ways: with respect, by speaking well of them, by imitating their way of life, by heeding their instruction, by encouraging them in their work, by expressing words of thanks, and, most importantly, by praying for them.
2 comments ↓
I’m really glad you are addressing this topic, Pastor Todd. In my 9 years at Calvary, I’ve heard a number of people refer to the elders in a very disparaging way. This makes me very uncomfortable because in most cases, the critics are operating with a limited set of facts or have heard only one side of an argument/complaint that has multiple dimensions.
I also appreciate your important reminder that God holds leaders to a high standard and they will give an account for each decision they make. Some people struggle with people in authority because they have seen power abused and they imagine – incorrectly – that these abuses have gone unnoticed by God. But it ought to also remind us that God will also judge and discipline church members who gossip, tear down and play a divisive role in the body of Christ. There are two sides to this coin – a responsibility for those in leadership and also for those of us who have been commanded to obey, honor and respect the authority God has placed in our lives.
One question I have about the list of 4 ways to interact: If people have questions about decisions that have been made, isn’t there a 5th way to interact with the elders, where people can ask questions about decisions that have been made, or even to offer their input into pending decisions? I know this kind of communication can take more time out of an already busy schedule and limited resources, and I also realize that there are issues of confidentiality, but it does seem like there could be more communication than there is today (with the church members).
Thanks for the good words, Todd. Our culture today has been taught to distrust and challenge authority. While it is good to be discerning and aware of false teachers, a churchman should respect his elders unless the teachings of scripture are contradicted.
Brian Wildman
Visit my blog at http://www.solid-foundation.blogspot.com
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