CHAPTER XIV — Work of Elders
CHAPTER XIV --- Work of Elders XIV. WORK OF ELDERS
By J. H. RICHARDS
Introduction. I like the subject because it expresses action. Concerning action, James has said, “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves” (James 1:22). Hence, every member of the church who fails to work is guilty of self-deception. The office of a bishop is not an honorary office, but is an office of work. This is clearly stated by the apostle Paul: “This is a true saying, if a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work” (1 Timothy 3:1). In Paul’s famous speech to the eiders of the church at Ephesus he gave these instructions: first, take heed unto yourselves; second, take heed unto all the flock; third, the Holy Spirit hath made you overseers; fourth, feed the church of God; fifth, remember and watch, because grievous wolves will enter in among you and men of your own selves will apostatize; and sixth, support the weak (Acts 20:28-35). And Paul has further said, “Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers” (Titus 1:9). And in 1 Thessalonians 5:14 we read, “Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.” Now, turn with me, please, to 1 Peter 5:2-3 and we shall read: “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.” In Ileb. 13:17 Paul has said to watch in behalf of the souls of the members. The aforementioned scriptures which are so plain and specific relative to the work of elders surely weigh heavily upon the hearts of all who attempt to perform this great service in the church of God. The success of the Lord’s work rests greatly upon the elders. If they succeed, the church will succeed. If they fail to perform their duties, the work of the church is hindered. This is true because no business, organization, or institution can rise above its leadership. This being true, it is easy to understand why God has specified that the men who serve in this capacity should have certain qualifications. Now, I am not unmindful of the importance of the work of our local evangelists; but the success of the church still rests largely upon the elders, because it is they who select the local evangelist. An elder is an overseer. An overseer is one who gets the job done. The word implies supervision. The duties of a supervisor are to lead and show others how to perform the duties; to keep in close touch with the work; to have a sufficient knowledge of it and see that it is done properly and efficiently. The elder, as a pastor or shepherd of the flock, must lead the flock into greater and more acceptable service. THE WORSHIP
One of the duties of the elders is to lead the congregation into the truest and most reverential worship possible for men to render to Jehovah God. May I make a few suggestions with reference to the items of worship without attempting to specify their order.
1. Singing. We are not to sing to get ourselves ready for worship, because singing is a part of the worship. “I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also” (1 Corinthians 14:15). For a congregation to sing in this manner, it is necessary for it to receive much teaching and instruction. Too often this part of the worship is grossly neglected. A definite program should be arranged and carried out to train and develop members of the congregation that they might better engage in this item of worship. The eldership should never be content to use inexperienced and untrained song leaders when it is possible to secure a trained leader. I am glad to note that our congregations are beginning to see the need of having more efficient song leaders. The elders should insist that the song leader train and develop the young people and all other groups within the congregation. When this is done, we shall always in the future have men to lead God’s people in hymns of praise.
2. The Lord’s supper. Jesus instituted the Lord’s supper in memory of himself. He said, "This do in remembrance of me.” Care should be given to every detail connected with this solemn duty and sacred privilege. Orderly arrangement should be made both for the one presiding and for those assisting. Too often the observance of the Lord’s supper is handled in a slipshod manner, and the result is that its purpose is defeated. Oftentimes men, without coats, approach the table from various parts of the auditorium and the one presiding makes a prolonged talk at an inopportune time. Also, the prayers at the Lord’s table should be prayers in which we give thanks, rather than lengthy petitions unto God.
3. The offering. Paul stated that it is more blessed to give than to receive (Acts 20:35). This item of worship is surely a test of our faith. Paul stated that the Macedonians gave liberally and scripturally because they had first of all given themselves to the Lord (2 Corinthians 8:5). The elders should be good examples in this respect. One of the qualifications is that they be not lovers of money. They should look forward to this grace with as much pleasure as to any other part of the worship. The congregation should be taught to give (1) weekly, (2) willingly, (3) purposely, (4) proportionately, (5) liberally, and (6) sacrificially. If we would enjoy this part of the service when the preacher is preaching on stewardship and giving as much as we do when he is preaching on faith, repentance, confession, and baptism, the church would have much larger contributions with which to do the Lord’s work. It is gratifying to note the progress that is being made in this phase of the work.
It is my sincere prayer that the elders may be living examples of sacrificial giving that we may lead the entire congregation into a full and complete realization of the need to lay by in store as it has prospered. Remember, true conversion embraces the pocketbook along with the heart. An observation of the manner in which members give should never lead us to suspect that they laid aside their purses when they were
4. Preaching. I am not going to discuss the need of preaching every Lord’s day. I think we understand the necessity of it. Congregations which do not have regular preaching just do not grow. That alone proves the essentiality of it.
Great care should be exercised in selecting a man to fill the pulpit. The man in the pulpit has the opportunity to wield the greatest influence in the congregation. If the elders put up the wrong man, the accomplishments are sure to fall short of their desires. Here is one rule which is especially good to follow in selecting a preacher—I can state it in four words: get a successful man. If a preacher has succeeded in one work, he is apt to succeed in another work, and vice versa. When you are thinking of calling a minister, you usually have quite a discussion of ages. But, I would suggest that you get a capable preacher, whether young or old. I would not call a man because he did or did not have some gray hair; but I would be sure that I called a man who had some grey matter. Now, this is my idea about the ages. The elders should feel a responsibility in counseling with the evangelist concerning the subject matter to be discussed when they see the need for it. This would often save the congregation from many perplexing problems. The best way to cure trouble is never to let it happen. The elders should watch for the flock and should be quick to detect any and all danger signals. There should be two great designs in planning the subject matter: one, indoctrinate the congregation; two, instruct the congregation in Christian living. We learn 1 Timothy 4:16 that all growth not founded upon these two fundamental and basic principles is all in vain: "Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.” We ourselves want to be saved and we want the ones who hear us to be saved; therefore, we must take heed unto ourselves and unto the doctrine or teaching.
I am thinking now of an instance in which a minister in a congregation preached sermons of truth, but they missed the mark. During this time, jealousy, enmity, malice, and strife developed. Also, long periods lapsed without the presentation of doctrinal sermons. This also weakened the congregation. Sermons which hit the mark could have prevented this weakening effect upon the church. I am sure you could cite many similar examples.
There should be a warm and congenial feeling existing between the elders and the evangelist. This makes for a more pleasant and a more successful work. The elders are not to lord it over the church (1 Peter 5:3); this includes the evangelist, too, because he is a part of the church. I feel that if the preacher has sense enough to preach, he has sense enough to be worth something to the church in the field of counseling and advising as well as in the field of preaching and teaching.
Great care should be shown at the time a minister leaves a congregation, especially if he is asked to move. Too often elderships have failed to exercise good judgment in this matter, and both the congregation and the minister have been hurt. It is my conviction that the elders should assist a good man in locating in another work which is as good or better than the one he is leaving. The reputation of both the con-gregation and the minister has often suffered because the preacher was “railroaded” out. I am sure if statistics were available, this statement would be substantiated.
5. Prayer. “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much” (James 5:16). May I offer some suggestions with reference to selecting a man to lead the congregation in prayer? Select a man whose character is unquestionable and whose life is an inspiration. Choose a man who will speak distinctly and loudly enough that all may hear and follow. Call on a man who will not pray extremely long prayers. I do not mean by this that the prayer should be limited, timed and stopped by a stop watch, but I think you will agree with me that there is room for education and inw provement along this line. Next, select a man who will use prayer to address God rather than the congregation, one who will humbly talk to God rather than one who will use prayer to parade and display his oratory before the congregation.
6. Congregational deportment. Jesus has said, “But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshipers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth” (John 4:23-24). For worship to be acceptable to God, it must come from the worshiper’s inner and unseen man and be according to truth. For this to be done, there is no place for talking, whispering, writing of notes, shuffling of feet, etc. Quietude should prevail. All persons should be at the worship on time! those who are late should be seated in such a manner as not to disrupt the worship. Song books should be handled noiselessly. Parents with little children should be encouraged to come and bring their children to the worship; but they should also be taught and encouraged to keep them quiet rather than let them disturb the worship. THE Teaching Program
1. The importance of it. It is impossible to overestimate the importance of teaching in the Lord’s plan. The religion of Christ is a religion of teaching. Jesus commanded the apostles to teach all nations and then teach the. baptized to observe all things he had taught them (Matthew 28:19-20). Paul said to Timothy, “And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also” (1 Timothy 2:1). The elders should see to it that the church has an adequate system of teaching.
2. Pulpit teaching. I have discussed this phase of the teaching, so it is not necessary to go into this matter again.
3. Bible classes. I have read the statement that statistics reveal that eighty-five per cent of Christendom has come through the Sunday morning Bible classes. This alone shows that anything short of a well planned program in this field of service [will result in a very ineffective work.
Three things are essential for a successful Bible school, and I shall briefly name them: First, it must be administered efficiently. The elders must do this either directly or indirectly ; at least, they must .see that it is done. Second, there must be adequate equipment such as rooms that are. well lighted and ventilated, blackboards, maps, commentaries, helps and courses of study. Third, we must have capable and godly teachers to do the teaching. Prayerful care must be taken in selecting the teachers. The teachers should have more qualifications than a willingness to teach. It is better to have no class than to have a teacher who does more harm than good. The teacher should be pure in character and sound in the faith. To ihe hurt of the Cause in Fort Worth, we have learned the need of teachers being sound in the faith. The first church ever established in Fort Worth was the New Testament church. This congregation grew and prospered But innovations worked their wa) in through the Bible classes. The result was that the church apostatized. Eight members walked out and had to start all over again. If elders had been faithful to the Lord and had done their duty, this would not have happened. The church is strong in Fort Worth, and this fact is recognized by brethren throughout the nation, but think how much stronger it would be if this apostasy had not occurred. A. denominational friend of mine stated the other day that his little daughter went to a store and found her Sunday school teacher sitting in a car, smoking a cigarette and drinking a glass of beer. I trust that this can never be said of our teachers. As I see it, it is one of the works of the elders to keep it from happening. Our young people should, be given much attention; because the mind of youth is plastic and is easily influenced. H you will work with them, they will work with you. Some of the most loyal members of the Polytechnic congregation are among our young people. May I drop this hint to the preachers who wish to be diagnosticians of churches—if a church has no young people, the chances are it is either dead or is in the process of dying.
4. Personal evangelism. For the congregation to be apostolic, the members must be personal workers. The members of the Jerusalem church went everywhere preaching the word (Acts 8:4). We must have the same spirit today to win the world to Christ. We should do personal work among tne aliens. Jesus associated with sinners and publicans, but did so for the purpose of winning their souls. As I see it, brethren, every non-member is a prospect and is worthy of our time and attention; because he has a never- dying soul that will spend eternity somewhere.
There is a dire need in all churches to encourage the weak and to convert the fallen. “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such a one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted” (Galatians 6:1). “He which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins” (James 5:20). Many congregations are suffering today because the elders have failed to comply with these scriptures. There will always be some poor sheep who will falter and need the personal help of the shepherds. And blessed is the congregation which has shep herds who will render this service.
It is the duty of the eldership to put the church to work. Organized personal work is much more effective than the haphazard method. Records should be kept and assignments should be made. You will find a willingness on the part of many members to work, if somebody will tell them what to do. We have this system of organized personal work in the Polytechnic church. A few weeks ago approximately one hundred members signed up to do two hours of such work each week. You can visualize what this will mean to the church.
5. Missions. A congregation without a missionary program is not, in my judgment, worthy to wear the name of Christ. Brethren, is this putting it too strong? I do not think so. Jesus said, “Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15). Jesus said it; so it is either “go” or “woe.” The time is fast approaching in which a church which has the ability to do missionary work and does not do it is going to be looked down upon by the brethren. I think it is already looked down upon by the Lord. The elders should create within the church a great missionary spirit.
CARING FOR THE PHYSICAL NEEDS
1. The sick. In the long ago the Holy Spirit said, “Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church” (James 5:14). Hence, the elders have a responsibility to the sick. Is it difficult for you to get members to sit up with, wait on and care for the sick? Do you say “yes”? Well, it should not be the case. Jesus will say at the judgment to those on the left hand, “I was sick and ye visited me not” and to those on the right hand, “I was sick and ye visited me.” One of the differences between the two groups will be: one group visited the sick while the other did not. The church should be taught this.
2. The poor. “As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith” (Galatians 6:10). Thus we should be glad to help all men—both aliens and saints—as we have opportunity, the members coming first. •
3. The orphans and widows. Both are mentioned in the same passage: “Pure religion and undefiled before our God and Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world” (James 1:27). Administering to the needs of widows and orphans is vital, because it is a part of pure religion. Our homes for orphans should receive our financial support. The money invested in the lives of these orphans is paying incalculable dividends. We have a splendid young man in the Polytechnic congregation who was reared in one of our orphan homes. He is an outstanding young man, takes an active part in the work of the church, and is seriously thinking of entering Abilene Christian College to prepare himself to publicly proclaim the saving word. OUR CHRISTIAN COLLEGES
You may think I have gotten away from my subject in briefly mentioning our Christian colleges, but I do not think so. It is my belief that everything which influences the church for good or for bad is something that needs the prayers and the attention of the men who are the overseers of the church. That our schools are influencing the church is a fact not to be disputed. In fact, the church is feeling more and more the influence of our schools; because more and more students are attending them. It is my opinion that the majority of the ministers in our pulpits are men who have attended Christian colleges. So, I still maintain that the influence of the schools s too great for the church to be indifferent toward them We have some living examples in the Polytechnic con-gregation of the Christian influence and efficient training afforded by Abilene Christian College.
We have as our local evangelist one of the most successful preachers in the church. He is a graduate, of Abilene Christian College. When he entered this school he did not plan to preach; but through the influence of the school he decided to preach. His name is Leroy Browniow.
We have in the Polytechnic church a young lady who serves as the preacher’s secretary, who is also a graduate of Abilene Christian College. She quit a government job to work for the church at a reduced salary. Her name is Lottie Beth Hobbs.
We also have another lady who is recognized as one of the best Bible teachers in this section of the country. She is also a graduate of Abilene Christian College. Her name is Epsa Wells. The elders should use their influence, to keep the schools loyal to the Lord and his word. They should do this, because of their influence upon the church. We should see to it that our schools continue to pull the church up by educating our boys and girls, and we should never allow them to pull the church down by encouraging loose living or by promoting false doctrine. The very school founded by Alexander Campbell is today a means of spreading evil. We must not allow such to happen to our present day colleges. The Christian colleges should have the cooperation and the moral and financial support of Christian people. I am not advocating that we take money from the church treasury to support them, but they can be supported individually by individual Christians. And we can also support them by en-couraging our boys and girls to attend them. This will be a means of mutually helping each other. We have also found that when our minister is away it is good to have some capable preacher on the faculty to fill the pulpit in his absence. This works to the advantage of both the church and the school, because it helps both.
Yes, the schools affect the church; so, we should encourage them and be for them when they do right, and we should be against them when they do wrong.
CONCLUSION
I have briefly called your attention to some of the works of elders. You see that it is a mighty, mighty big job. In conclusion, permit me to say that elders are not born; they are developed. Thus we should be more efficient as we have more time to develop. May God bless us to the end that we may always strive to be better servants of the Master.