Elder Care(Part 1)
Yes, I know, most people will think of an older person being cared for, maybe in a nursing home, when they read the title. What I mean is almost the opposite of that. I’m talking about Elders (shepherds, pastors), as in the church officials, who help care for the congregation. As mature Christian men take on this role, what is expected of them? More specific, what does the Bible say is expected of them?
Unfortunately, for many people, the “elder” is an elected representative of the people, someone who attends meetings to make decisions related to the church, and in far too many cases allows emotions to rule, with arguments and split votes dominating the church board landscape. I’ve seen that up close, and many Sr Minister’s (preachers) can tell you their horror stories. That hasn’t been what I’ve experienced in the years serving myself as an elder at Southern Heights Christian Church. For years the elders at SHCC have operated on a consensus basis for decisions and have been a mature group who work together without allowing small differences to create roadblocks and hard feelings.
But I don’t desire to have the SHCC elders serve as the model, we need to allow the Bible to create this mold, one that has some flexibility, but with a sort of job description provided by the apostles.
First, let’s look at some history. Did you know there were elders in the Old Testament? Most people think of the priests and the Levites who served at the temple, but in each area, within the towns established throughout Israel, there were elders. How they were chosen I’m not sure, but logic would say they looked for older mature men who had the respect of the people. We see them first mentioned in Numbers and Deuteronomy. In Numbers 11 God tells Moses to gather the elders “and let them take their stand with you” (11:16). As you review various references, you’ll find their role included: encouraging people to obey God’s commands (Deut. 27:1), reading God’s Word to the people (Deut. 31:9-12), providing counsel (Ezek. 7:26), helping discharge justice (Deut. 19:11, 12), and making judgments about disobedient children (Deut. 21:18-21). The elders are mentioned setting at the city gate, a place where they could be found to be consulted on the issues that arose.
As we move into the New Testament era, we see the role of elder is not new, it just transfers to the men who work at overseeing things for a local church. As this role is defined for the church, we find Paul and Peter giving qualifications for the person. The list I’m about to provide comes from I Timothy 3, Titus 1, and I Peter 5. When you look at each set, there is overlap, but you’ll notice the lists are not the same. What does this tell us? I believe it tells us that any one list is not absolute. We are just being provided guidelines to ensure the person is a mature responsible Christian who has the qualities needed to fulfill this role. No one will be perfect in every aspect, but generally we want such qualities. They are:
Above reproach, the husband of one wife, having children who believe, temperate (self-controlled), prudent (sensible), not self-willed, not quick tempered, respectable, not addicted to wine, hospitable, not fond of sordid gain (questionable ways of making money), able to teach, not pugnacious (belligerent), lover of what is good, gentle, peaceable, just (law abiding), free from the love of money, devout (loyal to God’s Word), manages his household well, has a good reputation outside the church, is not a new convert, isn’t shepherding under compulsion (has volunteered), not lording over the flock. Next week we’ll look at how the man with these qualities fulfills the duties of elder. What is his role?
Unfortunately, for many people, the “elder” is an elected representative of the people, someone who attends meetings to make decisions related to the church, and in far too many cases allows emotions to rule, with arguments and split votes dominating the church board landscape. I’ve seen that up close, and many Sr Minister’s (preachers) can tell you their horror stories. That hasn’t been what I’ve experienced in the years serving myself as an elder at Southern Heights Christian Church. For years the elders at SHCC have operated on a consensus basis for decisions and have been a mature group who work together without allowing small differences to create roadblocks and hard feelings.
But I don’t desire to have the SHCC elders serve as the model, we need to allow the Bible to create this mold, one that has some flexibility, but with a sort of job description provided by the apostles.
First, let’s look at some history. Did you know there were elders in the Old Testament? Most people think of the priests and the Levites who served at the temple, but in each area, within the towns established throughout Israel, there were elders. How they were chosen I’m not sure, but logic would say they looked for older mature men who had the respect of the people. We see them first mentioned in Numbers and Deuteronomy. In Numbers 11 God tells Moses to gather the elders “and let them take their stand with you” (11:16). As you review various references, you’ll find their role included: encouraging people to obey God’s commands (Deut. 27:1), reading God’s Word to the people (Deut. 31:9-12), providing counsel (Ezek. 7:26), helping discharge justice (Deut. 19:11, 12), and making judgments about disobedient children (Deut. 21:18-21). The elders are mentioned setting at the city gate, a place where they could be found to be consulted on the issues that arose.
As we move into the New Testament era, we see the role of elder is not new, it just transfers to the men who work at overseeing things for a local church. As this role is defined for the church, we find Paul and Peter giving qualifications for the person. The list I’m about to provide comes from I Timothy 3, Titus 1, and I Peter 5. When you look at each set, there is overlap, but you’ll notice the lists are not the same. What does this tell us? I believe it tells us that any one list is not absolute. We are just being provided guidelines to ensure the person is a mature responsible Christian who has the qualities needed to fulfill this role. No one will be perfect in every aspect, but generally we want such qualities. They are:
Above reproach, the husband of one wife, having children who believe, temperate (self-controlled), prudent (sensible), not self-willed, not quick tempered, respectable, not addicted to wine, hospitable, not fond of sordid gain (questionable ways of making money), able to teach, not pugnacious (belligerent), lover of what is good, gentle, peaceable, just (law abiding), free from the love of money, devout (loyal to God’s Word), manages his household well, has a good reputation outside the church, is not a new convert, isn’t shepherding under compulsion (has volunteered), not lording over the flock. Next week we’ll look at how the man with these qualities fulfills the duties of elder. What is his role?