Dysfunctional Elders

"Faithful is the saying, If a man seeketh the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work" (1 Tim. 3:1). Implied in the inspired statement is the fact that elders have work to do. More than being merely the "Chairmen of the Board" or congregational nickel counters, there are weighty obligations and responsibilities laid upon bishops. What if the job goes undone? The work neglected? What if the elders at any congregation are primarily known for having their names on the bulletin masthead or signing the preacher's paycheck? The consequences of having elders that do not do the work assigned them by God will be measured in souls.

In the wisdom of Almighty God, there are to be those men in the congregations who see to the work as shepherds, as overseers. God's elders are both qualified and vigilant. Paul wrote Titus,

"For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that were wanting, and appoint elders in every city, as I gave thee charge; 6 if any man is blameless, the husband of one wife, having children that believe, who are not accused of riot or unruly. 7 For the bishop must be blameless, as God's steward; not self-willed, not soon angry, no brawler, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; 8 but given to hospitality, as lover of good, sober-minded, just, holy, self-controlled; 9 holding to the faithful word which is according to the teaching, that he may be able to exhort in the sound doctrine, and to convict the gainsayers" (Titus 1:5-9).

You do not find "good ol' boy" listed as a qualification for elders in the New Testament, yet some men are chosen to be elders based on popularity. Choose men to serve as bishops based on man-made qualifications and you have a man-made eldership. Select a man to pastor the congregation who, by virtue of ignorance or timidity, cannot stop the mouths of false teachers and the congregation can expect to reap a bitter harvest. Once again, souls are at stake. When God wrote the qualifications for the elder, He really did not need or seek the input and advice of man. He knew what He wanted in those men who serve as shepherds, and it is non-negotiable!

But problems can also arise from men who otherwise are qualified for the work but simply do not get the job done. I would not for a moment suggest that elders must sleep in the church building and memorize the address and phone number of every sheep in the flock. On the other hand, realize that the work of an elder is more-much more-than a hobby or casual pursuit.

To be an effective, faithful elder will require time. Ah, there's a sensitive subject! Time may be the most precious commodity of a new millennium. Still, God has set priorities for the child of God (Matthew 6:33). Busy schedules are no excuse for neglecting the spiritual work God demands of elders. Every page of the calendar punctuates the brevity of life and urgency of elders' work.

Our Lord has given more than an adequate picture of the elder and his work:

"The elders among you I exhort, who am a fellow-elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, who am also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: 2 Tend (feed-KJV) the flock of God which is among you, exercising the oversight, not of constraint, but willingly, according to (the will of) God; nor yet for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; 3 neither as lording it over the charge allotted to you, but making yourselves ensamples to the flock. 4 And when the chief Shepherd shall be manifested, ye shall receive the crown of glory that fadeth not away" (1 Peter 5:1-4).

One reference tells us that the word "tend" in verse 2 "...denotes all that is included in the office of a shepherd-guiding, guarding, folding, no less than feeding..." (Vincent's Word Studies of the New Testament). Note that the elder is to do this willingly (verse 2). You do not have to twist the elders' arms to get them to perform their work. Then also, consider also this pertinent verse:

"Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they 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" (Heb. 13:17).

Vine's tells us that the word "watch" in Hebrews 13:17 means, "to be sleepless" and further, "the word expresses not mere wakefulness, but the "watchfulness" of those who are intent upon a thing" (Vine's Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words). Brother elder: are you sleepless in your care for the church, or just sleepy? Lethargy and laziness can afflict elders as well as any other member of the Lord's body.

It will not do for elders to put off visiting the wayward until a more convenient season. A blind eye cannot be turned toward pressing spiritual obligations. Hoping the sheep will find their own way home in a few months is not an option (James 5:19f; Gal. 6:1; Heb. 13:17). Fear of fallout cannot stifle church discipline at any stage, and faithful elders will not be intimidated by the weak or the rebellious. Faithful elders are men with more than good intentions-they do the work!

Lynn Parker

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