Continued from Elders - Part I
IV. Job
Description of an Elder.
From a variety of passages, primarily I Peter 5:1-4, we learn that Peter, an elder addressing other elders, submits minimal motivations for an elder to serve in the church as an overseer:
a. not because you must, but willingly, as God wants you to be, and
b. not greedy for money, but eager to serve; not "lording" it over those "entrusted" to you, but being examples to "the flock."
Then Peter says a curious thing, "So that when the Chief Shepherd appears, you may receive the crown of glory that will never fade away."
It is from this specific wording that we learn that an elder is an "under shepherd" of the Lord. Therefore, if we want to understand what the job description of an "under shepherd" is, we would do well to look at what the Chief Shepherd, or Good Shepherd does perfectly in Psalm 23.
In other words, whatever the Good or Chief Shepherd is revealed as doing perfectly in the Psalm 23, any God made Elder should be capable of doing substantially, meaning truly, though not perfectly.
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V. Briefly
then, an Elder (Under Shepherd) will:
1. Lead, tenderly, and attempt to provide members of the local flock of God's "sheep" in such a manner that their spiritual appetites are whetted and met, and
2. he will so uplift the Good Shepherd, that the flock, or the individual, will perceive that they have been "lead to and beside the green pastures and still waters" of the Lord's presence. As opposed to the "preacher" who leaves you feeling like you've been bludgeoned by the "club of the Spirit!"
3. An elder will guide the Lord's people in paths of righteousness for Christ's sake. He will, by example and precept, provide insights into how to live lives honoring Christ, or worthy of the gospel (Philippians 1:27). It won't be for the purpose of advancing his own career.
4. When going through the "valley of the shadow of death," it is true that if we're called upon to go through it alone, Christ, through His Spirit, will comfort us. Having gone through that valley alone, and having gone through it with a real live elder on whose shoulder I could cry, the latter is better, and I believe that the Lord as our Good Shepherd is desirous that we all have "under shepherds" to assist us, and model for us, and comfort us with their arm of flesh which we can touch. - Jeremiah 3:15
5. The rod and staff of the Good Shepherd may be used by an under shepherd in much the same way as a shepherd uses those instruments in third world countries today -- to ward off enemies of the flock, as well as retrieve strays that have wandered out of safety. It does not denote some sort of club which is used to strike the sheep, thereby "prodding them" into action. Sheep follow a loving shepherd who tenderly provides for them. We learned in Switzerland that the one who drives the sheep . . . is the butcher!
6. The balance of Psalm 23, speaks to the provision of the needs of the sheep, even in enemy territory; the anointing of the head with oil, further addresses a shepherd's careful attention to the detail care of the sheep. Much like Proverbs 27:23, which states, "Be sure that you know the condition of your flocks, and give careful attention to your herds."
7. The benediction in verse 6 is an acknowledgment that we are so truly loved that we are confident of our eternal destiny and eagerly anticipate it, due to the loving leadership we have received and been trained by, for most of our lives on this earth.
VI. What
are elders to do, and under what authority?
They are to lovingly lead by example,
and precept. They are to oversee the spiritual welfare and well-being
of the congregation. They are to set the pace for living as redeemed
ones in a fallen world. They are to set the example of being teachable,
servant-leaders. They are to prayerfully help design programs which
will assist the congregation in growing in grace and the knowledge of our
Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. They are to so equip themselves with
a growing knowledge of the Word of God, as to be able to guide others into
the discovery of the truths of God's Word. They are to model submission
to Christ, by voluntarily submitting, for Christ's sake, to each other.
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In closing, I want to state a position I have been lead to as a result
of studying these qualifications for several years. Based on the
above criteria, I have chosen, as an elder, to accept the following position
regarding the ordination of various classes of people:
I will not participate in the ordination of women to the eldership.
I hasten to add . . . nor will I participate in the ordination to the eldership of a single man, or a divorced man who is single again.
Nor will I participate in the ordination of a married man who has no children, or whose children are so young, that we, the observing church, cannot determine how that man will govern in his own home, i.e., will it be in a dictatorial fashion? Will it be so passively that he's really not in charge at all? Will little Johnny and Sally totally rule the place? You see, we don't know yet, do we? It may develop that he will actually lead his family lovingly and gracefully. Let's not rush it. Time is on our side.
And finally, this paper was initially prepared in Colorado, at the request of a church where I had been invited to help resolve some problems dealing with these issues. It is not offered as the last or final word on the subject, but rather as my current understanding.
Soli Deo Gloria!
ELDERS, THEIR BIBLICAL QUALIFICATIONS & JOB DESCRIPTION, © 1993, was written by Rev. Tim Arensmeier, currently serving as Pastor of the Sonoma Valley Community Church, Sonoma, California, a Reformed Church in America congregation. E-Mail: Tim@svccrca.org. Tim and his wife Jan celebrate their 39th wedding anniversary this year, and enjoy living in Sonoma. They have four grown daughters, three of whom are married. They also enjoy their three sons-in-law, five grand sons, and a grand daughter.
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Last Updated on May 24, 2002