THE NORTHERN KENTUCKY SEARCHER
"Search the scriptures: for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. " (John 5:39)

VOLUME 3, NUMBER 27, AUGUST 3, 2003

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE AN ELDER IN THE LORD’S CHURCH?

            I have been spending quite a bit of time lately writing about leadership in the Lord’s church.  The study has been beneficial for me, and I hope that it has been beneficial for you.  There is so much that can be written and said about being a leader in the church, and in this article, I want to address in a simple way, what it means to be an elder in the Lord’s church.

            First of all, to be an elder in the Lord’s church means that you desire the office from noble purpose.  In 1 Tim. 3:1, we read, “This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.”  A man will not perform well in this most important work if he does not desire to be involved in it. 

            To be an elder in the Lord’s church means love for the church and its work.  The basis for this love is a love for God that surpasses any other.  In Matthew 10:37, Jesus said, “He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.”    To be an elder in the Lord’s church nothing and no one can rival the Lord for the primary place of affection in the heart.

            To be an elder in the church means to follow Christ.   Peter set Him forth as the greatest of example in 1 Peter 2:21, and the Lord told us, “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.”

            To be an elder in a congregation of the Lord’s people demands responsibility.  Indeed, it is the task of the greatest responsibility.  The Hebrew writer tells us in Hebrews 13:17, “Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for thy watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.”

            To be an elder in the Lord’s church means to be out front.  A shepherd doesn’t drive his sheep, he leads.  An elder sets the pace, he shows the way.

            To be an elder in the Lord’s church means sacrifice.  He must be willing to give of his time, talent, and money to the work of the Lord.  For an elder, the work of the church comes first in his life.  It is a demanding work that puts pressure on nerves and patience.   

            To be an elder in the Lord’s church means that sooner or later, someone is going to be angry with you without just cause.  Those in front are the easiest targets and certainly the Lord knew this.  That is why members of the body are warned in 1 Timothy 5:19, “Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses.” 

            To be an elder in the Lord’s church means courage.  In 2 Timothy 1:7, we find, “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”  A coward, spiritually or otherwise, will not lead very far in the Lord’s work.

            To be an elder means cooperating with others.  An elder must get along well with other people, especially those within the congregation.  He must be able to differ without be disagreeable.  Someone who is obstinate or mean will have real difficulty getting people to follow him.

            To be an elder means making decisions.  A person who won’t make decisions will be a hindrance to the work of the Lord, not a help.  No decision is a decision to do nothing.  To be an elder means to get the facts, consult with the other elders and all who need to be consulted, pray, and then get on with it – make the decision.

            To be an elder in the Lord’s church will mean that sometimes you will feel like you are standing alone.  I am reminded of Paul’s exhortation in Ephesians 6:13, “Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.”  The faithful servant of the Lord, while he may feel alone, is never truly alone.  The Lord has said, “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” (Hebrews 13:5).

            Being an elder in the Lord’s church means hard, hard work. “And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unot men” (Col. 3:23). 

            Being an elder in a congregation of the Lord’s church means going the second mile.  It means wanting to do more than is required.  It means realizing that the joy of serving is found in that second mile.  In Matthew 5:39 – 41, Jesus said, “But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.  And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him lave thy cloke also.  And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.”

            Being an elder in the Lord’s church means self-control.  His speech and his lifestyle must demonstrate that he is not in bondage to any questionable habits, either in conduct of speech.

                                                            Greg Litmer, and more material gleaned from here, there, and yonder.

“MY  LITTLE CHILDREN, LET US NOT LOVE IN WORD OR, NEITHER IN TONGUE; BUT IN DEED AND IN TRUTH.”  (1 John 3:18)