Leadership Authority

Words Have Meaning

Words have meaning and are used to portray certain images. What images arise when you hear the word “set”? If you are a tennis enthusiast you might see a tennis match. If you are into numbers you might see a collection of numbers. If you are a collector of teapots you might see a tea group. If you are very literal you might see a person placing an item down. If you are a hairstylist you might see a hair style being developed. If you are a runner you might see a record being made. If you are a jeweler you will see a diamond collection in a ring. There are more definitions of “set” than any other word in the English language. Depending on the context the definition may be easier to understand. My point is we can’t assume that a particular word will convey the meaning we intend.

Think about the word “authority.” What images come to mind with that word? The images which come to mind will impact our understanding of “elders.” How does Jesus use the word authority in Matthew 20:20-28? Look at verse 25-26. The word “not” is positioned in the Greek sentence so that it receives the emphasis. It is almost as if Jesus were pounding his hand on a pulpit—“not” so with you.

Whatever we may want to say about the authority of elders, it must not be in the role of dictating or demanding action. Let’s now list the passages that speak of an elder’s authority. There are none. When we realize that the word “authority” is not used in connection with the word elders, overseer, or shepherd, that should affect our image of elders. Other words would capture the proper image: responsibility, duty, function.

Discarding False Images

There are some other ideas that we need to discard. Turn to 1 Timothy 3:1. Look at the difference between the KJV and NIV. The translators of the King James Version had a particular reason to add the word “office.” The King James translation took place a few years before the Puritans came to America aboard the Mayflower. The Anglican church was under attack. These translators were bishops in the Anglican church. Thus they translated the word “overseer” as “bishop” and added the word “office” to protect their position. As you can see the Greek sentence does not include the word “office.” And yet, many of us have grown up hearing the word “office” used in connection with an elder. This word does not foster the image of servant or protector or one who cares for another. The word itself carries an image which is neither accurate nor aligns with Jesus’s words in Matthew 20.

Understanding Hebrews 13:7 and 17

Let’s turn to another passage, Hebrews 13:7 and 17. While this passage mentions leaders, the word leaders should not be taken as exclusively elders nor that it eliminates elders. I think elders would certainly be included but the writer was thinking in broader terms; otherwise, why use another word besides the words for elders or overseers?

Let’s dissect the first part of verse 17. The word translated “obey” in the NIV and KJV comes from the Greek word which means “persuade.” This form of the word is used in a variety of texts to mean persuade. In Acts 13:43; 17:4; 18:4; 19:8, 26; 26:28; 28:23, 24 it is used to describe Paul’s attempts to persuade people about the gospel. The exact same word is found in Galatians 5:7 and 8. In verse 7, the NIV translators put “obey” and in verse 8 “persuasion.” Verse 8 captures the sense of verse 7.

The point is that the word “obey” in Hebrews 13:17 is best understood as “be persuaded by.” Leaders, including elders, are to persuade people to go in certain directions.

The word “authority” in verse 17 as you can see from the transparency is an addition made by the NIV translators. Why they added it, I do not know. The King James translators did not add it. The sense of the verse is found in verse 7 and following.

The leaders are those who taught the readers about the gospel. The readers are to imitate the conduct of their leaders. The readers are to submit to the leaders as they are persuaded by their conduct and teaching for the leaders are accountable to God for their conduct and how well they care for the readers. The word “watch over” implies shepherding. It would be to the readers’ advantage to make the leaders’ job easy.

”Direct the Affairs” in 1 Timothy 5:17

Let’s quickly look at one more text that will tie several together. 1 Timothy 5:17. What does Paul mean when he uses the phrase “direct the affairs of the church”? The word Paul uses here is found only 8 times in the New Testament and all 8 times are in Paul’s writings: Romans 12:8 (leadership); 1 Thessalonians 5:12 (who are over you); 1 Timothy 3:4 (manage); 1 Timothy 3:5 (manage); 1 Timothy 3:12 (manage); 1 Timothy 5:17 (direct the affairs); Titus 3:8 (devote); Titus 3:14 (devote). In all the occurrences a different translation is given. When we look in a Greek dictionary there are two definitions given but they are not exclusive of each other. It means to lead but it means to lead with great care and concern. The author of the Theological Dictionary of the New Testament (Vol. VI, pp.700-702) says that the word means “to protect, to represent, to care for, to help.”

What Paul seems to be saying in 1 Timothy 5 is that elders who care for the congregation especially through teaching and preaching are to be paid.

In 1 Thessalonians 5:12, the word is in the middle of three word sequence. It is a verb not a noun. Paul encourages the readers to respect those who work, care for, and admonish you. In this passage the idea of leading is an action not an office or position of authority.

In 1 Timothy 3:4 and 5, the word “manage” is in a parallel construction with the idea of “care for the church.” Paul says managing one’s family is equal to caring for the church. With the same intent Paul uses the word again in 3:12.

In Romans 12:8, the NIV adds the word “govern.” Literally the passage says “if leadership, let him zealously or diligently.” The context of this text is in using one’s gift to serve the others. Thus, the idea of authority is ruled out.

Elders Have a Shepherding Role

Am I implying then that elders have no authority? NO! What I am trying to emphasize is that words have certain meanings and if we continue to use words which suggest an image which is not found in scripture then we need to abandon one word and use another which might bring a more biblically defined image. Can elders make decisions? Sure. Can elders make those decision and by virtue of having made the decision assume everyone will follow? To do so violates Jesus’s words and intent in Matthew 20.

Elders have an important role in God’s church. Through shepherding they guide, protect, and care for people. They wrap themselves in the lives of people because all that really matters is that people maintain their faith in God. They hurt with people, they pray with people, they love people, they touch people, they correct people, they honor people, they surround themselves with people. Why in the world would we want to take them away from that? Why in the world would we ask them to worry themselves with administrative things? Why in the world would we want them to take on any role but that of helping each one of us stay close to God?

Elders’ work, service, function, responsibility, or shepherding is too important to take them away from it. One writer put it this way: “At White Station, we devoted a good hour or more to discussing how much was to be charged for the use of the facilities for a wedding and a reception. One of the issues was whether members and non-members paid the same rate, and whether the members’ rate could be extended to relatives of members. I might add that I thought the whole thing should be free. Another hour went to discussion of whether janitorial help should be started at minimum wage or twenty-five cents above minimum wage. When men talk about the authority of elders and of having a voice, if this is the sort of authority and the sort of voice they have in mind, as far as I’m concerned, they can have it!” (Jack Lewis, “Authority of Elders,” Image, p. 23.)

Let’s rediscover the biblical view of elders and with that rediscovery let’s set aside some images which have diminished the importance of an elder’s work. Let’s no longer hinder elders from being shepherds. Let’s no longer demand that they serve as an administrative board over us. Let us instead come to expect men who will love us, protect us, care for us, pray for us, correct us, and guide us into the fold of Jesus in heaven.

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