THE BIBLICAL ROLE OF ELDERS

INTRODUCTION:

1. Today, I want to present a lesson that marks a historical point in our congregation.
2. The title of the lesson is "The Biblical Role of Elders."
3. Of course, we have had elders in the Boston church for almost all of its history.
4. However, in our ongoing process of repentance and restoration, we believe that we have one significant step to make at this time regarding the biblical role of elders: to view them as those who direct the affairs of the church, in keeping with 1 Timothy 5:17 and other passages.
5. Prior to this time, lead evangelists of churches or ministry groups have usually functioned in this leadership capacity, and certainly this can be a normal situation in a church where there are not yet men who are qualified to be elders.
6. As for why we have not operated this way in churches that do have Biblically qualified elders, a little history will help us understand how we got where we are and why this important change is needed.
   • Many of the evangelists who helped shape our movement came out of campus ministry backgrounds in what we now call the mainline Church of Christ.
   • One of the real challenges some of these younger campus ministers faced was trying to work with elders who were not all biblically qualified or biblically functioning, and thus were a hindrance to the ministry.
   • This is not to say that some campus ministers did not make many mistakes themselves, through zeal without experience, that sometimes contributed to overreactions when developing ministries of their own later on.
   • Additionally, when our movement became separate from this mainline group, most disciples were young and few were qualified to serve as elders.
   • This combination of bad experiences by some with mainline elders, together with the youth of the movement in its earlier days, allowed a pattern to become established in which there were few elders appointed, and those who were appointed usually had a more limited role than the NT teaches.
   • While progress has certainly been made in recent years in the Boston church regarding the elder's role, the elders, evangelists and teachers of our congregation have agreed to take an important step that we pray will help to achieve the fullness of the role of the elders in our congregation.
7. The purpose of this lesson today is to help lead us to a biblical understanding of the importance of this step by looking at what the NT says about the elder's qualifications and function.
8. We will look at the biblical role of elders from four vantage points:
   a. As Seen In The Biblical Terms Describing Elders
   b. As Seen In The Biblical Qualifications For Elders
   c. As Seen In The Biblical Mentions of Elders
   d. As Seen In The Biblical Directives To and About Elders
9. You are also invited to take a copy of today's Boston bulletin devoted to this topic. So that you can read more about the role of elders on your own, all of the passages referred to in today's lesson are listed in a blue box at the end of the article on page four.

BODY:

1. As Seen In The Biblical Terms Describing Elders
   1. Elder (Greek - presbuteros)
      1. An older person. (See 1 Timothy 5:1 and 1 Peter 5:5 where the word is used simply to denote a person of greater age.)
      2. Who is older?
         • While the answer would be somewhat relative based on life expectancy in a given culture and on the make-up of the group in which the person was found, it is interesting to note that Timothy was considered youthful by Paul (1 Timothy 4:12).
         • Assuming that he was at least 20 when Paul first met him (Acts 16:1ff), he would likely have been in his mid-30's when Paul wrote 1 Timothy.
      3. Therefore, the Elder was an older person who could use his wisdom gained by experience to provide security and direction to the flock of God.
   2. Shepherd (Greek - poimen)
      1. Translated "Pastors" in Ephesians 4:11.
      2. The shepherd had two primary functions: to lead the flock in the way it should go; and, to watch over the flock to keep any from straying, getting lost or being attacked.
   3. Overseer (Greek - episcopos)
      1. Translated "Bishop" in the older versions.
      2. The verb form of the word is seen in Matthew 25:36 ("I was sick and you looked after me"), and in James 1:27 ("to look after orphans and widows in their distress").
      3. To be an "overseer" involves an examination of, and a providing for, a person's needs.
2. As Seen In The Biblical Qualifications For Elders
   1. Primary passages:
      • 1 Timothy 3:1-7
        Here is a trustworthy saying: If anyone sets his heart on being an overseer, he desires a noble task. [2] Now the overseer must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, [3] not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. [4] He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him with proper respect. [5] (If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God's church?) [6] He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil. [7] He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil's trap.
      • Titus 1:5-9
        The reason I left you in Crete was that you might straighten out what was left unfinished and appoint elders in every town, as I directed you. [6] An elder must be blameless, the husband of but one wife, a man whose children believe and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient. [7] Since an overseer is entrusted with God's work, he must be blameless--not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain. [8] Rather he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined. [9] He must hold firmly to the
        trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.
   2. General categories: (allowing for some obvious overlapping)
      • Personality and character qualities:
        a. Temperate
        b. Self-controlled
        c. Hospitable
        d. Disciplined
        e. Not violent, but gentle
        f. Not quarrelsome
        g. Not overbearing
        h. Not quick-tempered
      • Spiritual qualities:
        a. Not a recent convert
        b. Loves what is good
        c. Holy
        d. Upright
      • Reputation:
        a. Good reputation with outsiders (or may fall into disgrace)
        b. Respectable
        c. Above reproach
        d. Blameless
        e. Not given to drunkenness
        f. Not a lover of money
        g. Not pursuing dishonest gain
      • Teaching skills:
        a. Able to teach
        b. Holds firmly to the trustworthy message (thus able to encourage others by sound doctrine and to refute those who oppose it)
      • Leadership skills: (as demonstrated by his family - he must be able to manage his own family well if he is to take care of God's family - 1 Timothy 3:5)
        a. Husband of but one wife
        b. Manages his own family well
        c. Sees that his children obey him with proper respect
        d. His children believe, and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient
   3. Therefore, the Biblical qualifications dictate that the elder be an older, experienced, spiritual brother with children who are disciples. Further, he must be a reputable man even among outsiders, and one who clearly possesses an ability to lead the way and to effectively teach others to do the same.
3. As Seen In The Biblical Mentions of Elders
   1. Acts 11:29-30
      The disciples, each according to his ability, decided to provide help for the brothers living in Judea. [30] This they did, sending their gift to the elders by Barnabas and Saul.
      • This is the first mention in Acts of elders - the details of their appointments are not given.
      • Although the apostles will be involved later with these elders in dealing with doctrinal matters, the elders here were those overseeing the needs of the flock.
   2. Acts 14:23
      Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting, committed them to the Lord, in whom they had put their trust.
   3. Acts 15:1-2
      Some men came down from Judea to Antioch and were teaching the brothers: "Unless you are circumcised, according to the custom taught by Moses, you cannot be saved." [2] This brought Paul and Barnabas into sharp dispute and debate with them. So Paul and Barnabas were appointed, along with some other believers, to go up to Jerusalem to see the apostles and elders about this question.
   4. Acts 15:4-6
      When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and elders, to whom they reported everything God had done through them. [5] Then some of the believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees stood up and said, "The Gentiles must be circumcised and required to obey the law of Moses." [6] The apostles and elders met to consider this question.
   5. Acts 15:22-23
      Then the apostles and elders, with the whole church, decided to choose some of their own men and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They chose Judas (called Barsabbas) and Silas, two men who were leaders among the brothers. [23] With them they sent the following letter: The apostles and elders, your brothers, To the Gentile believers in Antioch, Syria and Cilicia: Greetings.
   6. Acts 16:4
      As they traveled from town to town, they delivered the decisions reached by the apostles and elders in Jerusalem for the people to obey.
   7. Acts 20:17
      From Miletus, Paul sent to Ephesus for the elders of the church.
   8. Acts 21:18
      The next day Paul and the rest of us went to see James, and all the elders were present.
   9. Philippians 1:1
      Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, to all the saints in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons:
   10. 1 Timothy 4:14
       Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through a prophetic message when the
       body of elders laid their hands on you.
4. As Seen In The Biblical Directives To and About Elders
   1. Acts 20:28
      Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you
      overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood.
   2. Ephesians 4:11-13
      It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, [12] to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up [13] until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
      • Based upon the grammatical structure of verse 11, it is possible that the pastors and teachers mentioned here refer to the same office or role; hence, the pastor/teacher.
      • Along with the other offices mentioned, the pastor or pastor/teacher is to be involved in training and equipping the church.
   3. 1 Timothy 5:17-20
      The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching. [18] For the Scripture says, "Do not muzzle the ox while it is treading out the grain," and "The worker deserves his wages." [19] Do not entertain an accusation against an elder unless it is brought by two or three witnesses. [20] Those who sin are to be rebuked publicly, so that the others may take warning.
      • Elders are to direct the affairs of the church - how they do this in relationship to other biblical roles must be determined.
      • Those whose work included preaching and teaching might refer to men who are recognized as evangelists as well, but in any case all elders are to some degree involved in teaching the church.
      • The double honor, in context, seems clearly to refer to financial support.
      • The evangelist Timothy is here given the responsibility to consider charges against an elder and to rebuke those who sin. (How the evangelist and other elders work together on this one is not herein specified.)
   4. James 5:14
      Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord.
   5. 1 Peter 5:1-4
      To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder, a witness of Christ's sufferings and one who also will share in the glory to be revealed: [2] Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, serving as overseers--not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; [3] not lording it 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 will never fade away.
      • The flock is under the care of the elders, since they serve as overseers.
      • Their leadership role focuses on their example to the flock and not on simply positional authority (Matthew 20:25-28).
   6. Two Special Passages (in that they do not mention elders specifically, but clearly include them because of the content)
      • 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13
        Now we ask you, brothers, to respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you. [13] Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other.
      • Hebrews 13:17
        Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you

CONCLUSION:

1. As announced in the recent apology letter from the overseeing team, we will no longer use the designation of region elder and congregational elder.
2. Hence, all seven of our present elders will serve the church as a whole, although they will continue to focus on their roles in their home regions as well.
3. These men are Gordon Ferguson, Jack Frederick, Tom Jones, Tracy Larr, Ken Ostrowski, Wyndham Shaw and Clarence Webster. You can read something about each of these men and their families in today's bulletin.
4. All seven of these men have been appointed either in a congregational setting or a region setting, but no matter what that appointment setting, they will now function as elders for the congregation.
5. Since they are best known within their region ministry, it is understandable that this group was most involved in their selection process.
6. However, because they will now be serving the whole church, we wanted to give any disciple in the Boston church the opportunity to voice any scriptural reasons why any of these brothers should not serve in this capacity before they are commended as a group to the entire church.
7. If you believe for any reason that one of these men is not qualified to serve in this role, you are encouraged to meet with him to discuss your concerns. In the event that such a meeting is not concluded to your satisfaction, another elder or evangelist may be brought in to help assess whether a scriptural reason exists that would disqualify him from serving as an elder. (If for some reason you are not comfortable discussing your concern with the elder himself, all of these men want you to know that you have their encouragement to talk with any other elder or any of the evangelists in the congregation.) Any needed talks should be completed by April 30.
8. The plan is to then present them as a group in a congregational service at the Tsongas Arena in Lowell on May 4th.
9. We believe that God has led us to this step of restoring the role of elders to their biblically specified responsibilities and functions, and we believe that he will bless them and the church in a way that shows his approval of this step.
10. We do not claim to have now "arrived" at a definitive understanding and practice of church leadership; learning and appropriate application, is an ongoing process. In fact, various task forces and other individuals are currently doing a good deal of study about the function of other leadership roles in the church-such as evangelists, teachers and deacons-and how they will work together to help mature the church "to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ" (Ephesians 4:13). We welcome your thoughts and insights on these important topics as well.
11. As we move forward from this point, we now have a collective group of elders from varied backgrounds and experiences, some on the ministry staff and some not, all of which provides understanding and connections to our membership in ways not experienced in the past.
12. Surely the future is as bright as the promises of God!
13. May he use all of us like never before, and may we have the humility to give him all of the glory for it!

Andrew Lewis, Toronto COC