The Christian comml.!

nity is
inundated with books about
relationships. But there is one
relationship about which
Christian authors are silent.
And tragically, this relationship
-is one of the most important in
the Christian life. I am
speaking of the Christian's
relationship with his elders.
This is an important subj ect _
about which the New
Testament has an enormous
amount to say. Few
Christians, however,
understand the
importance of
developing a biblical
relationship with their
elders, and even less
lmow how to do so. It is
no exaggeration to say
that the failure of
Christians to involve
their elders regularly and
joyfully in their lives has led to
inconsistent Christian living,
the breakdown of the Church's
piety, influence, and worship,
and in congregations of
Christians aro\lnd the world
who have no biblical concept of
the role the elders are to play in
the life of a Christ-centered
Church. Often a family sees its
elder only when a crisis arises,
they want to baptize a baby, or
they seek to leave one
congregation in favor of
another:
God views the elder/member
relationship in a much different
light, As shepherds
to the flock, elders are to
sustain a close, loving,
lmowledgeable relationship
with each family under their
care. He is to do this in order
to provide oversight,
counseling, and biblical
instruction. Relationships must
be developed so that the
families feel comfortable, loved,
and confident under their elder.
Such relationships will provide
protection and accountability
for our familie.s, and a
knowledge of each family's
needs, gifts, and weaknesses
that will enable the elders to
perform the shepherding tasks
to which God has called them.
Sounds wonderful, doesn't it?
Such a relationship will never
develop in yout life unless you
immediately devote youtself to
the elder and his work.
When we tum to Scriptute,
we find copious instructions
concerning the Christian's
responsibilities toward his
elder.
Because ruling elders are
called and commissioned by
Jesus Christ, you must highly
honor them. (1 Timothy 5: 17)
honor is to those
who faithfully fulfill their
(d. 1 Thess. 5:13)
Paul has been instructing
Timothy concerning the honor
that is due to widows. He then
18 THE COUNSELor Chalcedon August,1995
proceeds to the honor due to
"those who rule well" in the
Church of Jesus Christ. They
are worthy of "double honor."
In 1 Thessalonians 5:13, Paul
says that the flock should
"highly esteem" those who are
laboring among them. The
word he chooses means
"overflowing all bounds,
exceeding, abundantly,
supremely." Men who
diligently work as ruling elders,
must be supremely
respected by the
congregation.
While this seems
like a simple
admonition, we see
that "overflowing
esteem" is greatly
lacking in many of out
congregations today.
There are two reasons
for this. The first is obvious. A
spirit of democracy has so
raped the Church ofJesus
Christ that the average
Christians resents and resists
the idea of another man
watching over him. Autonomy
grips the lives of many in the
Church of J esus Christ today.
And secondly, the ruling elder
has not functioned in a manner
worthy of respect. He has not
provided faithful, consistent,
loving oversight of the sheep.
As a result, the congregation's
confidence in him and respect
for him have dwindled. This
situation must be remedied
immediately! Christian, you
must respect, give reverence: to,
greatly honor those who
faithfully rule among you.
Express your respect for them
by consulting them frequently,
listening to their opinions, and
teaching your family to value
their work highly. Ruling
elders, you must immediately
recommit yourselves to ruling
as Christ has instructed in
Scripture, and living blameless
before the watching eyes of our
congregations.
Such honor will be a
Double honor is due to those
who work hard at preaching and
teaching God's Word.
Honor is due especially to
those who "labor in the word
and doctrine." Preaching and
teaching is difficult work that
reqUires diligent study,
meditation, and prayer. Those
who labor faithfully in this
How should Churches
honor them? By providing for
their physical needs at such a
level that they may pursue their
ministry without fear of
financial crisis. This is Paul's
conclusion in verse 18: "the
laborer is worthy of his hire."
Some pastors are paid barely
enough to keep food on the
great motivation for the
elder to fulfill his office.
One who is despised
and resisted by the
people will eventually
grow weary in well
doing. He who is never
thanked, invited over
for dinner, or consulted
will inevitably feel that
"Ruling elders, you must
immediately recommit yourselves
to ruling as Christ has in-
structed in Scripture, and living
blameless before the watching
eyes of our congregations,"
table .. One old deacon,
when speaking of the
pastor's salary, prayed, '
"Lord, you keep the
preacher humble, and
we'll keep him poor."
This is unbiblical.
Those who labor
diligently in bringing
God's Word to the
people are worthy of a
the people take him for
granted, have rejected his
oversight, and will probably
grow weary of watching out
over their souls. While such an
elder is certainly accountable
for the neglect of his office, the
people are getting the quality of
oversight they deserve. If the
people's attitude toward their
elders exudes genuine respect
and honor, elders will be
motivated to be faithful to
Christ's charge, and labor day
and night to be the watchful
overseers and loving shepherds
that Christ's Church needs.
May God bless us with ruling
elders who are worthy of our
highest respect, and
congregations who highly
esteem their work. When both
of these occur, we will see our
Churches the bastions of
godliness, evangelism, and
influence that Christ has called
them to be.
ministry should be highly
esteemed. You must never
forget how much you owe such
men. Teaching elders are
Christ's love gifts to the Church
who contribute a great deal to
your knowledge of Scripture,
your ability to apply it to your
life, and your success at living
the Christian life. You must
appreciate and highly honor
them in the Lord. ' "Now, this
work is the edification of the
Church, the everlasting
salvation of souls, the
restoration of tlle world, and, in
fine, me kingdom of God and
Christ. The excellence and
dignity of this work are
inestimable: hence those whom
God makes ministers in
connection witll so great a
matter, ought to be held by us
in great esteem." (John Calvin
292)
sufficient income that
they may provide for their
family'S needs. Each Church
must determine what that level
can and should be. Agnr gives
good advice when he says
requests to be free from
excessive poverty or wealth.
(Prov. 30:8-9)
Because ruling elders are a
great help to successful
Christian living, you must
know your elder and involve
him in your life. (1 Thess.
5:12)
The ruling elders "labor
among the flock." They have
been chosen from the flock in
order to provide the loving
oversight and shepherding
commanded in Scripture and
essential to Christian living.
Therefore, the elders and
congregation must frequently
interact. In Acts 20:20; Paul
speaks of going "from house to
August, 1995 ~ THE COUNSEL of Chalcedon 19
, '
house." It has been the practice
of Reformed Churches for over
400 years to encourage elder
visitation in the homes of their
families. Why? Because the
elders cannot possibly
understand, sympathize, or
watch over those with whom
they have no intimate
acquaintance. Sunday morning
"hellos" are insufficient. Elders
are to labor "among the flock,"
being among the families,
aware of their weaknesses and
.' struggles, rejoicing with them
in their victories.
This simple truth has all but
been abandoned in many
churches today. Our lives fire
simply too busy to have
frequent elder/family
interaction. I am afraid that
this is an excuse to cover up a
serious spiritual problem:
Christian families resent elder
intrusion, and the elders have
allowed their office to be
confined to the four walls of the
church building. As a result,
elders are consulted only in
times of great crisis, or called in
to exercise discipline in the
lives of those with whom they
have little familiarity.
Management by crisis in the
ChurCh of Jesus Christ will
always have disastrous results:
hurt feelings, elder/family
alienation, and migration away
from churches that mishandle
this important relationship.
Moreover, Christian families
must remember that ruling
elders are their elders. They
Chose them, thereby expressing
confidence that these men have
the necessary piety, wisdom,
and sympathy to provide the
sort of oversight the family
needs. Let me, therefore,
encourage all of our families
here (1) to know your elders,
(2) to consider elders not as
unwelcome intruders but men
who come in Christ's name to
aid in Christian living and
discipline, and (3) to begin to
involve them in your lives.
Have your elders over for
dinner periodically. Get to
know them, close
relationships with them, and
seek their counsel in the maj or
decisions that God brings into
your life. A close, biblical
relationship with your elders
will introduce a powerful
incentive for Christian living in
your life, endear your heart to
the. government of Christ's
Church, make an impact in
your children as they see
leac\ers who are involved in the
lives of God's people, love the
sheep, and help them in any
way they can, and provide
direction and protection for
your family as you willingly,
gladly place yourself under the
oversight of Christ's
commissioned representatives.
Because ruling'elders work
hard for the sheep, you must
love them (1 Thess. 5:13).
We have already seen that
you are to respect and honor
those ruling elders who rule
well, who faithfully fulfill their
high office. But the
relationship between ruling
elder and church member must
also be Characterized by love.
20 THE COUNSELor Chalcedon Angnst,199S
Remember, child of God, how
they watch over your soul as
they guard their own. They
have no greater joy than to see
you growing in grace and
enjoying a close walk with the
Lord Jesus Christ. They pray
for you night and day, are
available to you in times of
need, and 'endeavor to preserve
you from danger. These men
are worthy of deep love. And
yet how often they are shunned
by the very ones who ought to
display great affection toward
them. Church members
despise their intervention, grow
weary of their presence, and by
their obvious indifference
toward their ministry run them
off. No wonder the ruling elder
is often the most frustrated man
in the congregation. He works
hard but is never loved. Ruling
elders do 'not accept their office
for worldly gain or glory. All .
they want is you! They wanUo
see you growing up into Christ.
They would perform their office
with greater fervency and joy if
they sensed in the congregation
a spirit of love for them. Do
you love your ruling elders?
Does your heart rejoice when
they phone or visit? Or do you
think to yourself, "0 no! He's
trying to check up on me
again!"?
And you ruling elders in the .
congregation, as well as those
who to this office, aTe
you lovable? Does the flock see
you sacrificing yourself for their
wellbeing? Have you faithfully
prayed for those under your
charge? Have you visited or
phoned recently? When you
have interacted with them, has
it been with a harsh,
censorious, or unemotional
attitude that has driven them
away from you? While the
flock is commanded to love
their elders. elders must do
everything in their power to
make themselves lovable
through their demeanor, words.
and service.
Because ruling elders nde
by Christ's authority and
according to His Word, you
must obey them. (1 Thess.
5:12; Heb. 13:17)
The Nature of the Ruling
Elder's Authority
The ruling elder has been
commissioned by the Lord
Jesus Christ to oversee dle life
of the flock. His instruction.
counseling, and discipline is
not merely a recommendation.
It is authoritative. When he
speaks in accordance with
God's Word. his teaching and
discipline bear all the authOlity
of Christ's own words. Hence,
the New Testament commands
the flock to "obey those that
have the rule over you." You
must develop a submissive,
compliant spirit toward the
spiritual rulers that Christ has
commissioned and the Holy
Spirit raised up to watch over
you.
The Extent of the Ruling
Elder's Authority
This authority does have
limits. Ruling elders may never
command something that God's
Word does not command.
They cannot require less than
Scripture requires. Their
authority is ministerial, never
magisterial. Hence. when dleir
commands, admonitions, and
discipline are inconsistent with
Scripture. the individual
Christians has not only dle
right but the duty to resist.
Christ is the only Lord of the
conscience. Ruling elders carry
his authority only when they
adhere to his commands.
The Blessing of Submission to
the Ruling Elder's Allthority
The Christian's obedience to
his elders in no way infringes
upon his liberties as a
Christian. Notice the incentives
that the writer gives for
obedience. "They watch over
your souls as those who must
give an account." Your elders
have your best interests at
heart. Hence, Jar your own
benefit, submit to their
instlUctions, follow their
example. You must learn that
the authority Christ has placed
in their life is for your good,
and you will receive his
blessings as you gladly submit
to it.
Your willing obedience to
godly authority enables the
ruling elder to do his job "with
joy instead of grief." The
eider's job is difficult enough
when those he is seeking to
shepherd are willing. But when
his loving instruction and
discipline are rejected, when he
is required to be more firm
with you because you resist
him, then his office becomes
exceedingly burdensome. The
elder watches over your soul
because he loves you, and
wants to see you honor Chlist
in all areas of your life. When
his love is rejected, he is filled
with grief. and you rob yourself
of dle benefit that his loving
watchcare can bring in your
life.
Because ruling elders lead
godly lives, YOIl must imitate
their good example. (Heb.
13:7; 1 Pet. 5:3)
The mling elder must be a
man of imitable character (l
Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:6-9).
That is, he must be a type (1
Pet. 5:3) of the godly life that
all Christians should pursue.
In Hebrews 13:7, the writer
commands the Christians in
J emsalem to remember the
faith of those who have already
passed (Heb. 11), and imitate
it. Did they embrace God's
promises? So must you. Did
they walk in obedience to God's
commands? Follow their
example. Did they tmst God in
the face of enormous obstacles?
You tmst God as well. Godly
living receives a power, an
impetus, if you will. as we call
to mind the men and women of
faith with whom we are
acquainted and endeavor to
walk as they do. We see the
blessings they obtained, and we
are motivated to strive for the
same.
Ruling elders provide a
living example for the flock of
godly living. Peter writes that
this is one of the primalY ways
in which they rule over the
flock: by providing a pattern of
godly living by which the flock
can pattern its own life. The
question for the congregation
is: do you follow their example?
August, 1995 t THE COUNSEL of Chalcedon 'l' 21
Are you around them enough allow for the tyranny of the
to know how they live, respond elders over the flock.
to problems, manage their Individual members may
homes? Every man is an island entreat the elders "like a father."
in the world today, setting his That is, when disagreements
own agenda, living his own arise, they can be appealed to in
way. Jesus Christ, however, a lOving fashion. If an elder
has provided living patterns of . deserves rebuke, then two or
three witnesses should confront
godliness for his sheep. He
him. If he is guilty, then he
wants you to know how to should be rebuked for his
handle crisis, pray, discipline ' infic:ielity to Chnst,and his .
your children, love your.Wl . 'fe, ' . ' . .
sheep in the' presence 'of .
And although elders are , everyone (l timothY5J9"20).
sinners, their godliness arid .... ' .'
mature Christian living Actsl? provides' us willi the
for the resolt.ition of
help you see how God W3.l1ts ' fainilyquarrels and dqctrinal ':
you to live. .
. differences irt Christ's Church:
Therefore, get to know your If the Session cannot resolve the
elders. In my opinion, tPisis problem, yoU to
one of the greatest weakrlesses. appeal to another Church
in our Reformed Churches Session, the elders of a local
today. We do not make church in their official capacity
opportunities to watch our as Christ's chosen leaders, and
elders live. Seeing them only then to Presbytery, which is the
on Sundays is not enough. We gathering of all of the Church
must see them at work, service, Sessions in your area. If that
with their families, on the does not resolve the conflict,
softball field, around the dinner the controversy can be taken to
table, at worship. A type of the General Assembly, which is
Christ, which the ruling elder the gathering of representatives,
is, is a powerful molder of teaching and ruling elders, from
Christian character in the every Presbytery of the
denomination. The Bible
Church ofjesus Christ. Let us commands a connectionalism
as elders set an example that is that will allow for a just
above reproach, Christ-like, resolution of disagreements.
and Spirit-controlled .. Let us as .
Christians follow their example. How does this apply to you?
The majority of Christians feel
Because ruling elders are today that the way to resolve a
men, and make mistakes, you problem in a church is to leave
have the right to appeal their it. This is especially true in
decisions/counsel to the whole churches that have elders who
Session, and to the Sessiotls of are seeking to fulfill their
other related congregations. God-given responsibilities of
(cf Acts 15) oversight. When you have a
The Presbyterian system of disagreement with your elder, if
church government does not he has abused or neglected his
22 r- THE COUNSELp{ Ch;tlcedon Augost,1995
high office, the Bible prOvides a
method by which that problem
may be resolved while your
vows of submission to the
authority of your church are
preserved. Both of these are
equally important. The elderS
are your representatives. You
believed they "{ere qualified for
the office, and YOl,l vowed to
submit tc) their government.
. Now you must hold them
. ll,ccountabh;totheir job, and.
when they fail, remedy the
situation in a loving manner 'as
Commanded in Scripture: go to
the cQurts of the Church to
. seek their wisdom, ap.d .
endeavor to resolve the conflict
between you and your elder.
. ruling elders are
weak, sinfUl men, who carry an
enormous responsibility upon
their shoulders, you must pray
for them. (1 Thess. 5:25;2
Thess. 3:1; 1 Tim. 2:1; Heb.
13:18)
Fin:my, let me ask you one
simple question. When "fas the
last time you prayed for your
elders? r don't mean a simple
sentence oTtwo. Have you
recently, ever, held thern up
before the Lord in a period of
intense, heartfelt, prayer? You
are commanded to in Scripture.
Their office is essential to the
wellbeing of the flock. Yet they
are so weak and sinful that the
only way they can possible have
the strength to success in their
high conunission is if God
intercedt;S on their. behalf and
provides the necessary strength.
Here are three SCriptural
principles that! trustwill,stir .
all Christians to pray on behalf
of their elders.
Consider their responsibilities
They have been called to be
overseers and shepherds of
God's flock. You are not easy
to oversee, dear brother in the
Lord. You are a sinner, often
hardened in sin, refusing to
listen to the loving, Scriptural
advise given you by your elder.
You do not call the elder in
until there is a crisis on
Holy Spirit equips him for the
office.
Consider their Judge
He will one day stand before
the Lord of glory and give an
account of his labors. Dear
Christian, you are not the only
one who will be examined with
respect to your life. Your elder
must give an account as well.
God's sheep. These sheep are
the apple of God's eye. He
holds them accountable. Will
you not pray for such men?
Will you not find ten minutes
half an hour, to pray that the;
might faithfully watch over
their own lives as well as your
own. Remember, as you pray
for them you are praying for
your hands. When the
elder does get involved,
you trea t him as an
intruder rather than as
a: loving shepherd
whose tender concern,
council, and rebuke
will bring health and
restoration to your life.
" How is your relationship with
your elder? It could probably
yourself. They are
your representatives
who serve your
interests. May God
stir up in each of us a
spirit of fervent prayer
for the elders who
guard the sheep that
God has purchased
with his own blood.
stand some attention. To ne-
glect your elder, child of God, is
to neglect a gracious gift that
Christ has given to his Church."
Consider their
weakness
He is weak. He scarcely has
the time to watch over his own
life adequately. He is
frequently cast down before the
Lord for his own sins. But he
must continue watching over
your life even when struggling
in his own. His wisdom often
fails. He is neglected, held in
contempt, and his office
disparaged by the world and
many professing brothers. In
the midst of tlns crooked and
perverse generation, in which
many of Christ's sheep are
scattered with no good
shepherds to guard over them,
he is called to wa tch tirelessly
over you and your family. His
heart is in the right place. He
loves you as if you were his
own child. He wants to do his
job faithfully, and he realizes
that the only way he can
possible do his job is if the
Didyou grow in grace? Did
you use your gifts and skills to
God's glory? Did you raise
your children to fear the Lord?
Were you faithful in church
attendance, tithing, etc.? You
will answer for these things,
child of God, but so will your
elder!
AI; we close this section on
the ruling elder, let me exhort
you to pray for those who rule
over you, who counsel rebuke , ,
and guide you with loving
counsel from God's Word. Let
me impress upon you that they
have been called to this office
by the Head of the Church, the
Lord Jesus Chlist, have been
chosen to this office from all
eternity by"God the Father, and
in time have been equipped for
it by the gifts of God's Spirit.
They are God's men bearing
God's authority who care for
Conclusion
How is your relationship
with your elder? It could
probably stand some attention.
To neglect your elder, child of
God, is to neglect a gracious gift
that Christ has given to his
Church. Give your elder a
telephone call today. Tell him
how much you value his labor
in the Lord. Ask his
forgiveness for not involving
him in your life. Commit
yourself to his loving oversight
and shepherding. May the
great Shepherd and Bishop of
our souls give us the wisdom to
build elder/member
relationships that will lead to a
resurgence of Christian piety in
our midst and make his Church
the salt and light she was
created to be. Q
August,1995 'I' THE COUNSEL of Chalcedon f 23