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Lesson 4

The Work of an Elder

Part 1: Attitudes and Manner

Introduction

1. Text: 1 Tim. 5:17.

2. If the "what" of an elder's work is important, so is the "how."

3. In most worthwhile endeavors, theoretical knowledge needs to be coupled with practical wisdom.

4. The elder's understanding of his work needs to be implemented within the framework of his experience, maturity, and spirituality.

5. In this part of the lesson, we will consider some of the attitudes conducive to an elder's work, and also look at the manner in which the work ought to be done.

I. ATTITUDES

1. Sincere and fervent love for the Lord and His church - 1 Pt. 1:22; 1 Jn. 5:1.

   1. There is a vast difference between the self-sacrificial love of a real shepherd and the self-centeredness of a hireling - Jn. 10:11-15.

   2. Congregational shepherds would do well to heed the Lord's admonition to Peter: "'Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?' . . . 'Tend My sheep'" (Jn. 21:15-17).

2. Humility - Rom. 12:3-5. Cf. Mt. 23:1-12; Gal. 6:1-5.

3. Self-heed - Ac. 20:28. Cf. Gal. 6:1; 1 Tim. 4:16.

   1. The elder must give constant attention to keeping his own house in order. Cf. 1 Cor. 9:27;
      2 Cor. 13:5.

      1. The man who cannot govern himself can hardly govern others. "Whoever has no rule over his own spirit is like a city broken down, without walls" (Prov. 25:28).

      2. Introspection must precede supervision. Cf. Mt. 15:14.

   2. The elder must acknowledge his own faults - 1 Jn. 1:8. Honesty and objectivity are needed.

   3. The elder must apply to himself the same standard he hopes others will follow - Mt. 7:1-5.

   4. The elder must ever be alert to the possibility of failure in the future - 1 Cor. 10:12.

4. Readiness to serve - 1 Pt. 5:2. Cf. Isa. 6:8. The Lord intends for the elder's work to be done "with joy and not with grief" (Hb. 13:17).

5. Honorable motives - 1 Pt. 5:2. Cf. 3 Jn. 9.

   1. The elder is to serve the interests of the flock, not just his own interests. Cf. Phil. 2:4.

   2. The elder is to serve for what he can give, and not just for what he can get - Ac. 20:33-35.
      Cf. Jn. 13:12-17.

6. Positiveness. Cf. Rom. 8:37. The nature of the elder's work demands that he rise above negativism
   and defeatism.

II. MANNER

1. Scripturally. Cf. Ac. 20:32.

2. As a steward of that which belongs to God - Tit. 1:7.

3. In unity - e.g. Ac. 15:6-29. Divisiveness and rivalry among elders destroy the local church.

4. With dignity, honor, and respect - 1 Tim. 3:1. Cf. 1 Thess. 5:12,13.

   1. An elder's bearing and demeanor ought to engender the confidence of his brethren.

   2. Christians can be led effectively only if they trust and admire those who lead them.

5. Not "lording it over" the church - 1 Pt. 5:3. Cf. Lk. 22:25,26.

6. With gentleness, patience, and courtesy - 1 Tim. 3:4. Cf. Eph. 6:4; Col. 3:21. Cf. Ezek. 34:4.

7. With knowledge of the flock and the needs of its individual members. Cf. Jn. 10:14.

8. Showing the way, leading rather than driving. Cf. Mt. 23:1-4.

9. Cooperatively, with consultation and feedback.

10. Without partiality or favoritism.

11. With alertness and a vigilant eye for danger.

12. With good judgment, common sense, and wisdom.

13. With diligence, hard work, and energy. "He who leads" is to do so "with diligence" (Rom. 12:8).

Conclusion

1. There is a need for elders not only to understand what their work is, but to carry out that work in ways that are suggested by wisdom and spiritual-mindedness.

2. The overall goal of elders should be to pattern their shepherding after that of the "Chief Shepherd," knowing that by doing so they will "receive the crown of glory that does not fade away" (1 Pt. 5:4).

 

Part 2: Methods

Introduction

1. Text: Ac. 20:28.

2. When we study the eldership in the NT, we often spend most of our time on the qualifications
   -- we probably do not spend enough time on the work of elders.

3. The work of an elder is a difficult undertaking, but one that is greatly rewarding.

4. In this part of the lesson, we will concern ourselves with the things that a conscientious elder actually does as he carries out his responsibility to the local congregation.

I. THE WORK OF AN ELDER INVOLVES WORK

1. The activities in which elders engage are wide-ranging and call for the expenditure of time and energy. Unfortunately, some do not recognize this.

   1. "Announcement" elders.

      1. These do little more than make announcements and preside over the services of the church.

      2. Such do not understand that most of the elder's work is done outside of the assembly.

   2. "Business manager" elders.

      1. These see their duty as little more than making financial decisions for the congregation.

      2. Such do not understand that the elder's work involves far more than managing money.

   3. "Parking lot" elders.

      1. These do little more than chat with one another about the work after services.

      2. Such do not understand that planning the church's oversight requires more than occasional, informal conversations.

2. What follows is a look at some of the activities of the elder: the means by which elders rule, watch, oversee, and shepherd.

II. THE WORK OF AN ELDER INVOLVES SEVERAL ENDEAVORS

1. Maintenance of exemplary character and conduct - Hb. 13:7; 1 Pt. 5:3.

   1. Like Paul, elders should be able to say, "Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ" (1 Cor. 11:1).

   2. Elders should be "patterns" worthy to be followed. Cf. Tit. 2:7,8.

   3. In regard to the elder's work, one implication of this is that elders need to do more than delegate work to others -- leadership involves showing others what to do, not just telling them what to do.

2. Planning, decision-making, and direction - 1 Tim. 3:5.

   1. In many respects, the way an elder "takes care of" the church is analogous to the way a husband and father "rules" his own house - 1 Tim. 3:5.

      1. "Oversight" implies supervision of congregational worship and teaching - 1 Pt. 5:2.

      2. Even the congregational benevolence comes under the oversight of the elders - Ac. 11:29,30.

   2. Decision-making is a means of "shepherding" the flock - Ac. 20:28; 1 Pt. 5:2.

   3. Much that elders do involves organizing and coordinating:

      1. Leading in the formulation of common goals.

      2. Assigning work.

      3. Seeing that each member is doing what he can do best.

      4. Seeing that individuals are working well together.

   4. Elders see that congregational activity is "done for edification" (1 Cor. 14:26) and "done decently and in order" (1 Cor. 14:40).

3. Prayer - Jas. 5:14-16.

   1. Nothing inherently miraculous is involved in Jas. 5:14-16. Oil was used medicinally - e.g. Lk. 10:34.

   2. If the elders are to pray for the physical needs of their brethren, how much more the spiritual?

   3. "The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much" (Jas. 5:16).

   4. Great good is accomplished by the prayers of godly elders!

   5. In addition to praying for the flock, wise elders will also spend significant time praying for themselves and their work.

4. Teaching - Eph. 4:11; 1 Tim. 3:2; 5:17; Tit. 1:9; Hb. 13:7.

   1. Teaching involves private teaching as well as public assemblies, classes, etc.

   2. Teaching involves not only positive teaching, but also the refutation of error - Tit. 1:9-11. Teaching
      is the principal means of "watching" for souls and guarding against the dangers of moral and
      doctrinal apostasy.

   3. Teaching involves personal teaching by the elders and also that which they provide by the use of other teachers, preachers, literature, etc.

   4. The teaching of elders should, among other things, help to develop additional elders.

   5. By teaching, the elder stimulates the spiritual growth of the congregation and develops the potential of each member.

5. Advice and constructive criticism - Hb. 13:7,17.

   1. An important part of the elder's work is the spiritual guidance of his brethren by means of wise counsel.
      As one who watches for the souls of others, the elder will often have occasion to be an advisor.

   2. This may include the arbitration of disputes between brethren.

      1. Paul wrote: "I say this to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you, not even one, who will be able to judge between his brethren?" (1 Cor. 6:5). Cf. 1 Cor. 6:1-8.

      2. It is a shame when there is no one among brethren capable of wisely settling disagreements. Who should be better qualified to do this than the elders of a congregation?

   3. Elders are required to be men of godliness and wisdom, so that their brethren will be inclined to seek their advice and help.

6. Admonition, warning, rebuke, correction - 1 Thess. 5:12-14. Cf. Ezek. 3:16-21.

   1. Elders who deal with problems in the church by "looking the other way" invite catastrophe.

   2. In the case of incorrigible individuals, elders will oversee the exercise of scriptural discipline. Cf. Rom. 16:17; 1 Cor. 5:1-13; 1 Thess. 3:6,14,15; Rev. 2:14-16,20-24.

7. Encouragement, motivation, stirring up. Cf. Hb. 10:23-25.

   1. One of the great responsibilities of any leader is the encouragement of those under his leadership.

   2. If all Christians are to do so, surely elders especially are to "consider" their brethren "in order to stir up love and good works" (Hb. 10:24).

Conclusion

1. Most elders work harder and spend more hours in their labor than their brethren know.

2. Our appreciation needs to be expressed to hardworking elders who take their stewardship seriously.

3. At the same time, we need to challenge our elders to continually upgrade and improve the quality of their work
   -- the congregation can hardly improve if its leadership does not!

4. Faithful shepherds have a glorious reward awaiting them - 1 Pt. 5:1-4.