A Message for the Elders

Introduction

Our view of leadership is tainted by a business model. We understand very well the idea of having someone over us who tell us what to do and who define our job for us and we are to respond appropriately. Break room talk inevitably turns to poor decisions which the “boss” has made. Even boasts about what might be different if another person was the boss. This hierarchy is well attested and maintained in our world. And the truth is such a view permeates our ideas about elders in a local congregation. We have come to expect elders to be the board of a church. They are the men who are to make decisions for us. We expect them to tell us what to do and we are expected to respond appropriately. Such a view leads to “parking lot” talk—a handful of people grumbling about the latest poor decision made by the eldership and how things would be different if another set of elders were running things.

Sadly, such a view of elders continues to exist. So many times elders have been chosen for their business ability. The assumption was that if a man did well in the business world—a boss, a supervisor, a board member—then such a man would know more about what it meant to “run a church.” Such a view was never God’s view. This is an area where our traditions have dictated to us rather than following the word of God. All one must do is look carefully at the texts which speak of elders and you will be struck with the lack of “authority” that elders have. In fact, the word “authority” is never used in connection with elders, but the word “servant” is often used in sections discussing elders or leaders. And in our culture there is a world of difference between the concepts of authority and servant.

We must remain constantly vigilant in preserving the biblical view of elders and shunning traditional views which are by far easier to accept. To accept the traditional view in regards to elders is to make God’s will and purpose invalid. In Acts 20, Paul calls the elders of Ephesus together for one last visit. Paul knows that he will never see them again. He loves these men and they love him. But God’s will is for him to speak at Rome and in Rome things will not go well. So Paul speaks to these elders knowing the finality of his words. What Paul has to say to the elders tells us something about the work of elders. Our purpose this morning is to speak to all of us about the work of elders and to encourage our elders and future elders in their service among us.

Definitions

It is from Acts 20 that we learn about the work of elders. The texts from Timothy and Titus tell us something about the qualities of the men who will serve as elders. There is even a section in 1 Timothy about how to confront an elder with his sin. But there is little said about the actual function of elders. Or to put it another way, there isn’t a text that we can turn to and read about the function of elders. However, Acts 20 comes close. But Paul’s words are not intended to be an exhaustive treatment of the service of elders. They are warnings for elders. But the warnings ring true for us as well.

Notice in verse 17 that Paul calls for the elders from Ephesus. The term elder speaks of age, experience, and wisdom. While this doesn’t define their service, it does say something about their qualities. Then in verse 28, two other words are used. The first is “overseer” and the second is “shepherds.” The word overseer is sometimes translated bishop. But this may be more of a designation rather than the actual meaning of the word. Paul is warning these elders to keep watch over the flock. The word overseer is two words brought together. It literally means to “watch over.” And isn’t that what Paul is warning the elders to do? But to add emphasis, he adds that the elders are to “shepherd” or as the KJV renders it “to feed.” They are to act as a shepherd to the flock. Shepherds do more than feed, but the idea is that they are to do what is best for the flock so that the flock may be preserved.

Why is this important? Because wolves (v. 29) or false teachers are a constant threat to God’s church. In other words, the warning is that those who are noted for their age, experience, and wisdom are to watch over the flock so that the flock will remain spiritually focused. These elders are to make sure false teachers are not given an opportunity to lead the flock astray. While this is not the only thing an elder will do, this function is certainly significant. Elders are to protect us from false teachers. Because they are shepherds to us, they know us and they see when we are giving ear to dangerous and treacherous teachings. So they will lead us back to God’s path. They may do that with gentle persuasion or with a rod of discipline. But their concern is that not one of God’s sheep is lost.

Application

This vital aspect of an elder’s work must not be diminished. So I want to make application by speaking to us as a congregation, then I want to speak to our four elders directly. To us as a congregation, we should expect and want our elders to fulfill this desire from God. We should welcome their interest in our lives; we should welcome their questions, comments, care, and compassion. As Americans we are independent. Our culture encourages an attitude of separateness and personal space. But such is not the will of God. There is to be interdependence. Our elders serve to protect, guide, and watch us. They are to make sure that false teachers do not invade nor that we lose our focus as we walk with God. They will be men that we trust, respect, admire, and love. And because of our respect for them, we want them to be a part of our lives. So we do whatever we can to make their service among us as one of joy not drudgery. We welcome their touch, words, correction, and love as they walk with us to the throne of God. May God help us to have attitudes of openness with our elders.

Now to our elders: Dwight, Barney, Paul, and Bob. By the will of God and the power of his Spirit, God has chosen you to be our elders. You have received your call not from our voices, but from the voice of God. Believing that God will lead us, we prayed seeking for his direction. You are God’s men. We look to you to lead us. We trust your wisdom. We have seen God at work in your lives. While you are not perfect men, your love for God and his will is obvious to us. So as God’s sheep, we charge you and expect you to lead us.

We want you to know us by name. Know us so that when we hear you call, we will know your voice and listen. Don’t worry about getting too close. No matter how we may act, we want you to know us intimately. We trust you not to be invasive for its own sake but desiring to help us walk with God.

We want you to correct us. Willful as we are, we at times will walk away from the path of safety. Do not let us walk too far away without the rod of correction. Do not hesitate to use the rod, not for the sense of power but with the love of a shepherd who does not want one of God’s sheep to be lost.

We want you to lead us. Like little children we are in need of strong hands to hold us and to walk with us through times of doubt and darkness. Do not fear that you may hold us too tightly because we know that your desire is for us all to walk through difficulties without losing a single one.

We want you to stay in God’s word. We know of your spiritual wisdom, but we long to know God’s will even more. We are not satisfied with our current place. We want to know more, love more, and long to be nearer to God each day. Your study will lead us closer to the Chief Shepherd as you lead us.

Finally, we want you to show us Jesus. Show us his protection, his love, and his sacrifice. We know this is a lot to ask, but we believe that you are capable of demonstrating Jesus to us. Show us how you know Jesus. Show us how you are open to God’s leading. Show us that you are willing to change when you hear God’s voice. Show us that the only thing that truly matters is pleasing God. As you show us Jesus, we will follow.

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