TAKE IT TO THE ELDERS

Victor M. Eskew

 

          The term “elders” is just one of six English words that refers to the leaders of the local congregation.  The other five words that refer to the leaders are presbyters, pastors, shepherds, bishops, and overseers.  In the Greek language, however, there are only three words that refer to the rulers of the local congregation:  presbuteros (elders, presbytery); poimen (pastors, shepherds); and episkope (bishops, overseers).  We see all three of these Greek words in Luke’s account of Paul’s farewell address to the elders of Ephesus in Acts 20:17-38.  “And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders (prebuteros) of the church” (v. 17).  Verse 28 records the other two words.  “Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers (episkopos), to feed (poimaino) the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.”  These names or titles help us to understand the nature and part of the work of the leadership within the church.  They are older, spiritually mature men who oversee the work as superintendents.  They also shepherd the work, that is, they feed, they lead, and they protect the members of the local congregation.

          These men are the rulers.  Paul affirms this in 1 Timothy 5:17.  “Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in word and doctrine.”  In the list of qualifications, we find that they are to be able to rule their own house well (1 Tim. 3:4).  Then, Paul asks:  “(For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)”  A man’s ability to rule his own house is an evidence that he will be able to rule the house of God.  The Hebrew penman knew the local church had rulers therein.  As he closes his epistle, he exhorts his readers to obey them and submit to them.  “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).

          As we study the New Testament, we see the importance of these men.  When the church at Antioch took up a collection for the saints in Jerusalem, they sent it by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.  These two men were to deliver it to the elders of the church.  “Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judea:  which also they did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul” (Acts 11:30).  In Acts 15, the church had to confront a problem that had manifested itself, especially within the Gentile churches.  Paul and Barnabas went to Jerusalem along with “certain other of them” (Acts 15:2).  The text reveals that they were going to discuss this matter with the apostles and elders.  “And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church, and of the apostles and elders, and they declared all things that God had done with them” (Acts 15:4).  Again, when Paul arrived at Miletus while heading to Rome, “…he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church” (Acts 20:17).  When Paul wrote the church in Philippi, he addressed “all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons” (Phil. 1:1).  James also referred to the elders in his epistle.  He specifically notes their responsibilities to the sick.  “Is any sick among you?  let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over them, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:  and the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed any sins, they shall be forgiven him” (Jam. 5:14-15).  Peter, who was also an elder, addressed the elders of the church to whom he wrote in 1 Peter 5:1-3 and reminded them of their responsibilities.  “The elders which are among you I exhort, whom am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed:  feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; neither as being lords over God’s heritage but being ensamples to the flock.” 

          Elders were not just figure heads in the early church.  They were knowledgeable men of God who shepherded the flock that was under their oversight.  They were the individuals to whom the members of the church looked for guidance.  The flock eagerly listened to their voice and went to them for guidance, protection, and care.  These men watched for the souls of those placed in their charge.

Dear readers, this is how the church ought to function today!  The sheep of every congregation ought to have their eyes upon their shepherds.  They should constantly be listening to their voices.  Too, they should turn to them as their source of care.  In essence, when there are struggles, difficulties, questions, and needs in their lives, the members should  take it to the elders.  This, however, is not what is done.  Instead of the elders, the members take it to the preacher.  This appears to be the logical thing to do because the preacher is often more visible and more accessible than the elders.  The problem is that the preacher does not have oversight responsibilities within the church.  He is not the one who can make decisions about programs and benevolence and money that might need to be spent.  These are decisions that elders have to make. 

Every elder ought to be actively involved in the lives of every member of the local church in which they serve.  He should be able to call his sheep by name (John 10:3).  He should go before them and lead them out (John 10:3-4).  He should know the sheep (John 10:14).  The sheep should know their shepherds (John 10:14).  These holy men of God should be willing to give their lives for the sheep (John 10:11, 15).  These men should follow the example of God as a shepherd.  Psalm 23 should be imprinted in their minds at all times.  They should examine every phrase and find ways to carry out their duties as a shepherd in the lives of the sheep who are entrusted to them.  They should be examples (Heb. 13:7).  They should intently watch for the soul of every member of the local church (Heb 13:17). 

Yes, these men should be the “go to” men.  Every question, every criticism, every desire, and every action should be directed to these men first.  They are the overseers.  They are the shepherds.  They are the ones who will give an account to the Chief Shepherd regarding how well they tended the flock.  Take it to the elders.  If the elders need information or assistance, they will contact the preacher or a deacon or other members.  If the church could take it to the elders, elders would be restored to their rightful place in the church, standing before the congregation as the shepherds who are trusted, looked to, and honored by the sheep of their flock.