It has been the experience of this writer that establishing an eldership in a local church is difficult if not impossible to accomplish. This leads me to ask “Why?!” Is it because God has not given us information on this subject? Is it because the character and caliber of Christians today is inferior to those of times past? Maybe it is because too many Christians have become satisfied with the status quo. In many instances, the problem is that a portion of the membership fears they will no longer have a say in what is done or not done in the local church. This article will proceed on the assumption that it is ignorance of the work of elders and not something more sinister, which has created the lack of elders in local churches.
At the foundation of establishing an eldership is an understanding of the office as to its authority, work and affect on the local work. In speaking to the elders at Ephesus Paul said, “Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them. Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish everyone with tears. And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.” (Acts 20:28-32).
Men who serve as elders must engage in personal evaluation if they are to serve acceptably. “The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task.” (1 Timothy 3:1). The office of overseer is not just a title to be worn but a work (noble task) to be preformed. Paul gave instructions to the Ephesian elders by pointing out that the local church faced coming dangers. Further more, he places the work of protecting the flock directly upon the shoulders of the elders (Acts 20:29-31).
Not only are elders to oversee the local church by protecting it from the evil one who would destroy it, but they are also to shepherd, i.e. pastor the flock (Acts 20:28). Like the shepherd who has charge over his flock must find grazing land, guide the flock to it and encourage them to eat; so it is with the eldership of a congregation. Local elders must seek out the truth taught in God’s word, lead the congregation to those truths and encourage them to ‘eat’ of the precious words of Christ (Romans 10:17; James 1:21).
The Scriptures have thus far instructed us as to the importance of the work of overseeing or shepherding a local church. This makes us to understand why Paul would tell Timothy that a man must desire (aspire) to do this great work. A man who is shy about being in a leadership position does not qualify to serve as an elder. Further more, if he does not show forth leadership qualities before being appointed, he will not begin to show this leadership after he is appointed. It is the conviction of this writer that a Christian man, or men, who would scripturally qualify for this great work, must, to some degree, be active in the work prior to their appointment. A local church cannot know to follow those who would desire the work of a bishop unless it observes men whose example manifests the life described by Paul in 1 Timothy chapter three and Titus chapter one.
No one should take what has been said as an indictment against comparing the lives of men who desire the office of bishop with the qualifications given to us by Paul. I have written the above as a means of emphasizing the need for leadership qualities in men who do this work. We must not get hung up on personal opinions about the several different characteristics mentioned in the first Timothy and Titus verses. The unrealistic expectations of some Christians regarding the qualifications of those who desire the work of a bishop has stopped any and all efforts to establish an eldership. It has also discouraged future efforts by causing men to think they could never qualify.
Do we have a dearth of qualified men today or is the problem found in the attitudes of men? Pray that our attitudes will always be to serve our Father to the best of our abilities.
Copied from The Pound Proclaimer, Vol. 5, March 2010, No. 1, Author: Glen Young.