Elder Care(Part 2)
In the previous Cross Point about elders, I talked about the history of elders and the listed qualifications of elders in the New Testament provided by the apostles Paul and Peter. As you look at the qualities, you may note a couple of things. First, they are primarily providing a list of personal characteristics, which define a mature, seasoned, experienced, biblically educated man. Again, no one person has all of these qualities in abundance, but the elder should have some reasonable degree of them. Enough to say, indeed, this person has adequate knowledge of the Bible and is mature and caring in character, able to deal biblically and cooperatively with issues.
So, the primary thrust of what Paul and Peter say is about personal qualities. In terms of ability, you may note a second thing. The only ability mentioned is the ability to teach. This would seem to be key. Anyone desiring to be an elder of the church should be willing and able to teach the Bible. This will involve both personal instruction through a class or small group, or maybe one-to-one as a person is mentored, even a ministry of writing is a form of teaching and needs such attention. It also involves making sure in cooperation with the other elders that any “preacher” hired for the congregation is sufficiently educated and mature in presenting biblical teaching. Along with this is ensuring that other “teachers” within the church also teach sound doctrine.
So, with that in mind, to round out the duties of an elder, what are they?
The hired preaching minister can be one of the elders and is at SHCC. But far too often we depend on this one person to do what the group of elders should be doing. The elder who preaches and teaches is due “double honor” we are told in I Timothy 5. But such duties take time and point to the need for the other elders among the plurality to pick up the slack in other areas. How that looks depends on the set of skills elders bring to the table.
Much more could be said, but this provides an overview. May God bless our efforts at SHCC to have such elders.
So, the primary thrust of what Paul and Peter say is about personal qualities. In terms of ability, you may note a second thing. The only ability mentioned is the ability to teach. This would seem to be key. Anyone desiring to be an elder of the church should be willing and able to teach the Bible. This will involve both personal instruction through a class or small group, or maybe one-to-one as a person is mentored, even a ministry of writing is a form of teaching and needs such attention. It also involves making sure in cooperation with the other elders that any “preacher” hired for the congregation is sufficiently educated and mature in presenting biblical teaching. Along with this is ensuring that other “teachers” within the church also teach sound doctrine.
So, with that in mind, to round out the duties of an elder, what are they?
- Devoted to prayer and the ministry of the Word (Acts 6:4). This is noted in the context of Acts 6 regarding the apostles, but as the church continues and the apostles leave the scene, it certainly applies to elders who work with the local church. Praying for boldness, for God’s will, and teaching.
- Protecting the flock from false teachers (Acts 20:28-31). This is related to the first but goes beyond teaching truth and involves discerning false teaching and helping the congregation not to be influenced by it. In a secondary but important way, this can also involve guarding against tradition becoming too important, overshadowing biblical doctrine (insisting on things because “we’ve always done it that way” even though there is no biblical mandate).
- To shepherd (care for) the flock (I Peter 5:1, 2). Jesus said people tend to be like sheep, wandering away from the care they need, needing a shepherd to keep the flock together, to be sure they are fed, to protect them from harm, etc. Elders stay in touch with those in the local church and help when they are in the hospital, have a death in the family, have questions or spiritual struggles. They provide mature influence to help counter the many hurtful ones.
- To provide oversight for the local church (Acts 20:28). As deacons do their tasks, as volunteers help with various ministries, as worship services are organized, as finances are managed, part of the job of the elders is to provide oversight of such things. This is one reason we find the elder role always described as a plurality in the New Testament. We need various blended skills to provide effective oversight.
The hired preaching minister can be one of the elders and is at SHCC. But far too often we depend on this one person to do what the group of elders should be doing. The elder who preaches and teaches is due “double honor” we are told in I Timothy 5. But such duties take time and point to the need for the other elders among the plurality to pick up the slack in other areas. How that looks depends on the set of skills elders bring to the table.
Much more could be said, but this provides an overview. May God bless our efforts at SHCC to have such elders.