Brethren, churches throughout the world are in desperate need of Godly elderships and the leadership they are designed to provide. When churches fail to encourage younger men to aspire to become an elder one day, those churches will find it very difficult to face Satan in the future. And over time their membership, without proper leadership, will likely scatter or join some denomination. We need to remember that preachers/evangelists are not elders although in many cases they find themselves acting like one simply because no one else will address church problems and provide Biblical guidance. Some members actually expect their preacher to act like an elder if none exist in the congregation. We need men to be elders and men to be preachers and a membership that desires such for the church.
Aspiring to serve as an Elder in the Lord’s church.
How many men were ever asked when they were a young Christian to one day consider becoming an elder of the Lord’s church? If members fail to see the importance that elders can bring to their congregation then it’s unlikely they’ll try and encourage young men to one day become one.
Having Shepherds in the Church.
Have you ever wondered why societies require police officers? Just imagine the havoc and chaos that would occur without them. Their presence brings us an assurance that if things get out of hand, they would be there to restore law and order. How much more so is there a need for elders in the church today? They exist to keep things spiritually in order in the Lord’s church? If members reject God’s law and try to do things the way they want to, then elders will soon remind them that they have broken God’s law and, unless they repent, they will be punished. Like police officers, elders are designed to keep God’s society (church) on the right path. They need our respect!
Tendencies of Sheep.
Sheeptend to wander wherever the green grass leads them. In so doing they often get in trouble because they are too curious or inquisitive.
Isaiah admits this, when he says that, “All of us like sheep have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; but the Lord has caused the iniquity of us all to fall on Him” (Isaiah 53:6). I used to own a farm house that was surrounded on three sides by a sheep farm. The sheep were cute and fun to watch as they frolicked, but at times they were also kind of dumb. Finding a sheep with his head caught in the fence was not an uncommon. Unfortunately for them, their curiosity caused them to being ensnared and without a shepherd they were doomed.
God’s Design in Having an Eldership.
The scripture quoted below is the key to having/maintaining a Godly eldership in any congregation. It is imperative that we all follow God’s design for a healthy church. So let’s break down the content of this verse:
“Obey your leaders, and subject to them; for they keep watch over your souls, as those who will give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with grief, for this will be unprofitable for you.” (Hebrews 13:17)
Obey Your Leaders.
We live in a world that does not like to be told to do anything by anyone. Such thinking leads only to trouble and conflict and is especially dangerous when it creeps into the minds of Christians. As members of the Lord’s church we are told to obey the Godly instruction of the leaders of the church. In the text above, I believe it is referring to the Godly leadership of the elders. We are to obey their instruction and guidance. If we reject them we reject God who has qualified them to be in charge of His church since they’ve met the elder’s qualifications set out in I Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9.
Be Subject to Them.
This implies one’s willingness to be guided, controlled or ruled by something or someone. The head of the church is Christ, not me or you. Since it is His church then His design for leadership needs to be obeyed and followed. If one refuses to be subject to His leadership, they are, in fact, disobeying the Lord.
Elders Keep Watch Over Your Souls.
Shepherds protect the flock from things that will harm them. In the church they keep watch over every sheep in the flock. Their presence is to make sure the members are safe from danger and they will do anything to protect them from harm and from getting lost. They are watching you, for your own good.
They Will Give An Account About You to God.
God will enable elders to remember the details of their leadership and your response to their leadership. Their account will either be joyful or marked with grief and disappointment.
An Elder’s Account About You Will Either Be Profitable or Unprofitable For You.
No one will want to stand before God and learn that their life as a sheep has brought grief to the shepherds of their congregation. It will not be a good time for that individual.
Take Advantage of Being Under A Godly Eldership.
Do whatever you can to support the choices that the elders make for the church. For example, when they say it’s time to meet for Bible study then you need to be there if at all possible. By wilfully neglecting to be there reveals that you are unwilling to be subject to them and that would be unprofitable for you before God.
Aspire to serve as an Elder in the Future:
Young men, please consider becoming a leader of the Lord’s church one day. Timothy encourages you to do this when he writes, “It is a trustworthy statement: if any man aspires to the office of overseer (elder), it is a fine work he desires to do” (I Timothy 3:1). The Lord’s church in the future needs you to start desiring to be an elder today.
Owen Sound, ON