This is the second in a series of blogs on church leadership. In the last post I wrote about the qualifications for elders serving in the local church. Today’s blog is about the function or task of an Elder.
The word “elder” means to be an “overseer”. In our context we generally think of someone in this position as “the boss”. But what does it mean really mean to be an overseer” In a broad sense an “overseer” is someone who has been entrusted with the master’s estate. To be an “overseer” in the church means that the elders (Church Council) have been entrusted to steward the care of the spiritual community.
Paul's first letter to Timothy is referred to as a "pastoral epistle". This is because the purpose of the letter is to give instruction concerning the ministry for the church. Paul writes extensively about issues of doctrine and teaching (1:3, 10; 3:2; 4:6, 13, 14, 16; 5:17; etc.). His second letter to Timothy emphasizes much of the same (1:6, 8, 13; 2:2; etc.), as does his letter to Titus (1:9; 2:1; etc.)
One of the things that Elders are suppose to do is oversee the teaching component within a church. They are, in essence, responsible for discipleship.
According to Acts 20:20 elders are responsible for both public and private teaching. While our Church Council may not be the primary teachers, they are responsible to make sure that the sound biblical teaching occurs within the church. Further, this refers to the spiritual maturity to teach, not the spiritual GIFT of teaching. Simply put, elders are to have the spiritual depth to be a teacher, but are not necessarily called to be teachers within the church.
In very practical terms, the Church Council for Next is responsible for:
*defending our faith by refuting and rebuking false teachers (I Timothy 1:18; Jude 3; Titus 1:9-16). When someone in the church is promoting an errant doctrine within our community and leading others astray the elders are to protect the congregation.
*guarding people from errors and sins and dangers of all kinds, both from within and without (Acts 20:28-31; Hebrews 13:7; I Timothy 4:16). Since the Church Council are overseers they are to ensure that the congregation is well protected from things such as gossip, malicious talk, favouritism, divisiveness, impurity and other sins that would harm the health of the church.
*exhortation (Titus 1:9; II Timothy 4:2), which combines all the ideas of encouragement, comfort, persuasion, counselling, teaching, rebuking, etc. Our Church Council are to come alongside people and bring words of strong encouragement. To exhort actually means to “spur each other on”. That means that elders are to call people into spiritual growth and urge them on as they do so.
*governance (I Peter 5:1-2; I Timothy 5:17). Elders are called to lead the church. The Church Council is responsible and accountable to make decisions on behalf of the congregation. They are to lead with the best interest of the whole body in mind.
*be spiritual pace setters. The Church Council is to lead both by precept and example (I Timothy 4:12; I Peter 5:3). Elders live out the gospel and call people to follow Christ in the same pattern in which they live.
While all elders do not have identical duties, it is the responsibility of our Church Council to lead, exhort, govern and teach. Within this basic guideline are many other responsibilities (such as prayer, guarding, etc.). It is the inescapable duty of the Church Council to serve our church in this way. This is God's prescribed method of leadership for the church.
The role of elder is not to be taken lightly. It is a challenging role that requires great diligence, patience, wisdom and humility. It is a role so large that no one can do it in our own abilities and strength. Our Church Council needs God’s enabling, as well as the prayer support of the whole congregation! It is a massive responsibility, but it is also can be an enriching one.
Blessings,
Pastor Dean
No comments:
Post a Comment