The Church – The
Elders
While the church
serves under the ultimate headship of Christ, He through His Word has provided
for local leadership in order to organize and facilitate His work. This group of leaders, chosen by
the local congregation according to scriptural qualifications (1 Timothy
3: 1-7, Titus 1:5-9), is charged with the spiritual health and direction of
the congregation. These leaders are always described in the plural and
male.
Several
different descriptive names are used for these men in the
scriptures. They are called
in elders, bishops or overseers, and shepherds or pastors. Each of these designations
speaks to an important role that contributes to the quality of the
leadership. These qualities
and responsibilities include spiritual maturity and the supervisory care
and spiritual feeding of the flock.
(1 Timothy
3:1-9) “This is a faithful
saying: If a man desires the position of a bishop, he desires a good
work. {2} A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife,
temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach; {3}
not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, but gentle, not
quarrelsome, not covetous; {4} one who rules his own house well, having
his children in submission with all reverence {5} (for if a man does not
know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the church of
God?); {6} not a novice, lest being puffed up with pride he fall into the
same condemnation as the devil. {7} Moreover he must have a good
testimony among those who are outside, lest he fall into reproach and the
snare of the devil. {8} Likewise deacons must be reverent, not
double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy for money, {9} holding
the mystery of the faith with a pure conscience.”
During the first
century, the apostle Paul was diligent in seeing that qualified men were
appointed to this important role (Titus 1:5). To follow this example,
each church should have its own elders with no responsibility beyond the
individual congregation. It
is important that the church be organized on earth as the headquarters in
heaven instructs.
(Titus
1:5-9) “For this reason I
left you in Crete, that you should set in order the things that are
lacking, and appoint elders in every city as I commanded you; {6} if a
man is blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not
accused of dissipation or insubordination. {7} For a bishop must be
blameless, as a steward of God, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not
given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, {8} but hospitable, a
lover of what is good, sober-minded, just, holy, self-controlled, {9}
holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be
able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who
contradict.”
It is
interesting to note that the only time the word “pastors” is used in the
scriptures (Ephesians 4:11), it is in reference to this group of
leaders. While the minister
does have an important role in the life of the congregation, the elders
are most correctly designated with the description of “pastors”.
(Acts
20:28-30) "Therefore
take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit
has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased
with His own blood.” {29} "For I know this, that after my departure
savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock.” {30} "Also
from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw
away the disciples after themselves.”
(1 Peter
5:1-4) “The elders who are
among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the
sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be
revealed: {2} Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as
overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but
eagerly; {3} nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being
examples to the flock; {4} and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will
receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.”
(Hebrews
13:17) “Obey those who rule
over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those
who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for
that would be unprofitable for you.”
Church Office:
803-548-7762 Update Line: 803-548-5521
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