“OVERCOMING ELDERSHIP PROBLEMS”—By Dr. John G. Young
“OVERCOMING ELDERSHIP PROBLEMS”---By Dr. John G. Young OVERCOMING ELDERSHIP PROBLEMS
Dr. John G. Young To approach this subject in a prayerful way with the sincere intention of aiding the church in solving some problems has caused some fear and trembling on my part. I am convinced that the future of the church is centered around the proper functioning of the elders. Had this not been true, then Our Father would have used some other method of leadership and government in the church. To be an elder is a great honor, perhaps the greatest that can be bestowed upon mortal man. At the beginning, I was fearful and almost afraid and I have maintained that viewpoint— ’tis an awe-filling position, full of awe and great responsibility. To accept it is to occupy a position, an office of great importance, shepherds of men’s souls, one that must give an account in the day of judgment. To strive honestly to be qualified to serve the house of the Lord as a faithful bishop—steward, elder, overseer of the glorious body of our Lord is a full time work, a mighty task, and a most glorious challenge. With this work comes many problems the eldership must overcome.
I am going to discuss these problems under four main divisions:
1. Problems of Qualifications, Duties, and Selection.
2. Problems within the Eldership.
3. Problems within the Congregation.
4. Problems without the Local Congregation.
#1--PROBLEMS OF QUALIFICATIONS, DUTIES, AND SLECTION
The first division gives the key to the whole for if entirely properly qualified God-fearing men full of humility are occupants of the office, then with God’s help, these instruments of his will overcome the problems they face. But there are often problems in their selection and qualifications that must be sought and evaluated.
There may not be men who meet the qualifications in the congregation. Not time or haste or desire, nor pushing or politicking should replace Biblical qualification nor cause compromise in selecting these officers. Not popularity or prominence, not riches or relations, not age alone or an intellectual novitiate, not courtliness nor countenance grave, not desire or debating ability can take the place of God’s qualifications. To know and understand these qualifications, we must know the functions of elders and these are entwined and learned when we know the meanings of the titles assigned to them.
First, they are called elders, meaning one of mature years or older man. This eliminates boys and young men from being elders. They were men who had reached an age that they had wisdom, experience, judgment and prudence to exercise good sense in church affairs. Also, there is included the idea of experience and age in spirituality, dedication, and devotion in the worship and labor of the Lord. These elders in age, experience, wisdom, judgment, and spirituality indicate that they have the ability to view with calmness and experience the problems presented. The second term used is that of Pastor or Shepherd. The pastor is the shepherd of God’s people. To be a good shepherd in the church would of itself solve problems, and when all elders qualify up to the meaning of “shepherd” then they know “the sheep under you” and problems are more simple and solvable.
Christ in John 10 gives the great example of what it means to be a shepherd and not a “hireling.” How can you be a good shepherd unless you know the sheep ?
Christ leads his sheep. He did not whip them nor drive them. He led them and he went before them. He set the examples they were to follow.
Christ “fed” his sheep for he said, “I am the door, by me if any man enter, he shall be saved and shall go in and out and find pasture.” This a good elder- shepherd will do in the church and prevent many problems and overcome many others.
Chrst also “tended” his flock. He nurtured them and said in John 10:10 : “I am come that they may have life, and that they may live it more abundantly.” He watched for them day and night and said “I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for his sheep. But he that is a hireling and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth, and the wolf catcheth them and scattereth the sheep.” This is what the Lord meant when he “gave some pastors, shepherds.” He intended for his flock to be cared for and not to be destroyed by wolves or left to starve. This gives us much to think and meditate over and all elders, shepherds, and pastors of God’s church should so do and this truly lived will aid in overcoming problems. The shepherd is the guide, protector and companion of the flock.
He protects the congregation against false teachers, he convicts the gainsayer. He “watches for your soul/’ guards carefully against trouble from within. He keeps watch both within and without. He must exercise the utmost care to prevent individual sheep from straying away from the flock; and when one, as it sometimes will, eludes all vigilance and strays away, he is to be prompt and energetic in going out to search for it and bring it back. Much more vigilance is needed to prevent such wandering. When the disposition to wander is discovered, he will be prompt to counteract it. Truly, exhortation and edifying is a duty and these will prevent eldership problems. The elders must watch against ravenous wolves who would come in among them not sparing the flocl^ and watch that schismatics not spring up within, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. This makes the elders the proper guardians of the church against false teachers without or within. In order to discharge this duty faithfully, they must scrupulously avoid any action on their own part which would unnecessarily excite faction in the church. In this, elders sometimes fail. They may be and do otherwise and by lack of proper control or proper thought become a rallying center of disunion. God forbid!
They must also know every man whom they invite or allow to address the church. They must have courage to deny this privilege to every stranger who comes among them unrecommended and unknown and every man whom they know to be a promoter of dis-sension and a teacher of false doctrine. Brother McGarvey said “A very small wolf in sheep’s clothing can scatter a large flock of sheep and a man who teaches nothing false, but aims at strife and division can often do more harm than a false teacher. With firmness then, that knows no yielding, but with a caution and prudence which guards against unjust judgment, must the shepherd watch the door which opens into their folds.” The third term used to designate the elders is “Overseer-Bishop.” The essential thought in over- seership, that of ruling, is frequently enjoyed. Paul says to Timothy, “Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honor.” Also to the Hebrews 'is said “Obey them that have the rule over you and submit yourselves; for they watch for your souls as they that must give account.” The overseers are over the church and all are under their direction. The deacons are under this oversight and they have no power, no authority only as is delegated to them by the elders of the church, just as the elders have no authority, only that which is delegated to them by the Holy Spirit. They need to have the courage to do their own “overseeing” and straightening out the troubles of the church. This is the elders’ responsibility—not the duty of the wives of the elders.
They are “stewards” of God, Paul says in Titus 1:7 “For a bishop must be blameless, as a steward of God.” A steward is one entrusted with the care and oversight of another’s property. This is a very grave responsibility—this being a steward of God.
These stewards must carry out the injunction “Let all things be done decently and in order,” must superintend this, assign, arrange, and carry out assignments decently and in order. Also “Let all things be done to edifying” is enjoined and bishops must see to it that what is done in the house of worship, including the singing, the teaching, and the preaching shall be so executed as to edify the body. This re* quires the utmost good judgment on their part as to what will edify, and the utmost delicacy in advising participants, in the various acts of worship, so as to secure the desired compliance.
Properly qualified and functioning overseers prevent problems coming before elderships and with devoted, qualified, functioning, sincere overseers, the problems that do arise can be overcome. An eldership so equipped will by its faith, example, strength and leadership be the leaders of the flock and will thus have sheep that follow and do not develop many problems but that can be overcome.
. The first prerequisite of teaching is the possession of knowledge. Unless a man knows something that his pupils do not, he cannot be their teacher. The work of teaching the practical duties of the Christian life necessarily implies the exposure and rebuke of such practices and teaching as are inconsistent with these duties. So elders, Paul says, should be able both to exhort and convict the gainsayers. In some instances—the eldership make no attempt at public teaching and very little at private teaching. This is a neglect of duty, to which the delinquents must eventually be called to account. If this neglect is from indifference, it is a great sin; if from incapacity, then the incapacity should with study be removed or the office vacated. This capacity in function will eliminate some elder-ship problems in their incipiency and be a mighty force in overcoming some eldership problems that may exist.
All I have said in general and specific terms relate to the duties of the office and when sincerely considered will point out the solution of many problems. Let me now inquire as to the manner in which these duties are performed and paramount here is the requirement that elders be examples to those over whom they are called to be elders-bishops-overseers- stewards. “It is not only required of them that they be examples but being examples is an essential element in the manner of executing their official duties,” says J. W. McGarvey. Peter exhorts elders, “Be shepherds to 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 examples to the flock.” “Being examples to the flock” is one of the specifications of the manner of taking the oversight. “Take heed to yourselves” is made to precede the charge, “Take heed to the flock.” These admonitions are expressed in general terms and cover all the duties of a Christian life. To be examples to the flock is a model not of one, but of every virtue. To teach by example is all important. They must teach the brethren practical liberality in giving, keep free from appearance of sordid motives in their official action and secular business.
He must not be “self-willed,” maintain a “blameless reputation/’ must not be “soon angry” for the moment he becomes angry he loses moral power over those he is seeking to influence. He must be a “lover of good men,” “sober” lest his levity deprive him of weight. Sober: This is not limited to just its relation to being drunk; it comprehends the entire scope of man’s action as a leader in the church. It comes from two words “sound” and “mind”—hence of a sound mind, having a good understanding and complete government of his passions. Webster says: “Capable of conducting one’s self wisely and judicially ; morally and intellectually disciplined, courteous, circumspect and discreet. Not rash or ill ad-vised.” This eliminates the man who can’t make up his own mind, who is influenced by others, and who may mis-understand the meeting after consultation with his wife. This eliminates men who vote for a measure today and after talking to a group or to his wife has to “vote” or reconsider matters settled at a previous meeting. No braivler—not a stnlcer—not contentious —these three terms are very much alike and overlap and I shall talk of them together under title of “Brawler.”
Barnes says, “He must be a peaceable man, not a quarrelsome man.” Clark says he is “one who is abusive, insolent.” Webster says it means: “Noisy quarrel; loud, angry, contentious; wrangle, quarrel.” No man like this is fit for an elder in the church, in fact is unfit for even a member in the family of the Lord unless he changes. Of “striker” Lipscomb says: “Ungoverned in temper, ready to fight.” Clark says he should be “not quarrelsome; not ready to strike one who may displease him; no persecutor of those who may differ with him.” Brother Lipscomb comments on this: “This does not mean that one is not to stand up and contend for the truth, but many are ready to contend over unimportant matters. Such always live 'in torment and strife.” Even truth and right should not be maintained in a contentious spirit. Certainly no man who is known to be “high tempered,” “a brawler or striker” or “contentious” should be entrusted with the affairs of so sacred an institution as the body of our blessed Lord. If he is he should be removed after all means have failed to secure his qualification and to bring him to his senses. This brings up another problem:
#2--PROBLEMS WITHIN THE ELDERS.
Can a man who is an elder ever cease to function as or be asked to resign as an elder. I believe he certainly can. If not then he might cease to attend the services, he might become immoral, might get drunk, might be an adulterer, might become a backslider in many ways and still run the affairs of the church. This thing of “once an elder always an elder” is as foreign to the truth as “once saved, always saved.” When he ceases to have the qualifications of an elder; when he ceases to function as an elder, he may be corrected and disciplined the same as any other member. Being an elder does not make him immune from the discipline of the church. Paul says in 1 Timothy 5:19 “Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses.”
It is a fearful thing to be placed in a position the very nature of which proclaims one an example to the church of God, if the example actually exhibited is not a good one.
Dearly beloved, I sincerely believe that an eldership composed of men who are true Christ-like examples can solve and can overcome eldership problems. I believe qualified men who function as qualified and live as examples before the congregation as scripturally outlined will by their life, their love, their work, their service, their leadership, their oversight, and their teaching, prevent eldership problems much of the time; thus solving them beforehand, and be able to overcome problems that exist. To have the right men in office precludes problems and by its nature aids solution.
Let us now consider some more or less specific problems. First, those 'problems within the eldership.
There are scriptural reasons for a plurality of elders, but the number is not stated. Too few elders can present problems in our congregations. There, may not actually be enough manpower to carry out the functions that must be done, not enough to know the church members, visit them, supervise or oversee them, and do the actual work that needs doing. This fewness in number of elders exists in some of our churches and has been many times demonstrated as a shortcoming. The problem can be solved by having more qualified men selected to work with those in office and the work can be carried on in a complete way. This selection should of course be carefully done and those chosen should meet the qualifications as recorded—no compromise for the sake of numbers should take place.
Regular and frequent meetings of the eldership of the church is necessary in order to efficiently discharge their duties. It is impossible that a work, requiring the united wisdom, watchfulness, and activity of a plurality of men can be successfully accomplished without frequent and often protracted consultations. The members of a business firm find such meetings necessary. How then can it be expected that the elders of a church, who have the interest of many souls under their oversight, will be able to dispense with such meetings. In many churches, it is advisable to meet once a week and to often spend sev-eral hours in consultation. Reports and questions in reference to all the details of the church’s work will be settled and the details of labor distributed according to the ability and adaptness of each elder. By this means, the elders will be contantly reminded of duties which might be overlooked and constantly stimulated to the discharge of duties that might be neglected. Such meetings definitely aid in overcoming Eldership problems. They should be held with free discussion and as a deliberative assembly that subjects may be thoroughly explored, pro and con, to the end that decisions and conclusions reached may express the will of the group.
Other problems within the elders and that may cause some lack of confidence to be engendered are the lack of teaching, little work done by elders, pressures exerted, dogmatism, lack of humbleness and others. Sufficient here to say that these should be solved by further teaching, better preparation, prayer, and a dedication to the work guided by a knowledge of the true qualifications and
Many sincere men freely acknowledge a serious neglect of duty in the eldership, and perhaps the most common excuse for this neglect is lack of time. The elder has no time to study and prepare himself, to meet, discuss and carry out, to visit, admonish and exhort. Upon careful calculation, it may be found out that the excuse of a want of time is more imaginary than real. The elders should remember that they are divinely constituted examples to the flock and that one of the methods by which they should make their example felt is to sacrifice some of their time to the service of the Lord. By thus doing, they will obey Paul to the Ephesian elders, “I have coveted no man’s silver or gold or apparel. Yea, ye yourselves know that these hands have ministered unto my necessities and to them that were with me. I have showed you all things, how that so laboring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than receive.”
#3-Elders must be able to teach-PROBLEMS WITHIN THE LOCAL CHURCH
Problems within the church-local bring many things to mind. Elders should know the teaching being done, should not only have the oversight of the evangelist and preacher and know of his scriptural position and teaching, but also of the Bible classes and other teaching periods. Problems can arise of serious nature here and to overcome them may be difficult, but the elimination of them by proper oversight is the proper function. The problem of knowing the members, their prob-lems, consulting with them and admonishing them can be worked out by divisions of the church members among the several elders with the duty assigned to especially and personally take that responsibility for the smaller group. This requires time, effort, and capacity, but I am assuming this in a qualified eldership. It might be wise to rotate these lists and so over the year each elder could be of aid to each of the flock.
Also new members should know the elders and the elders should know the new members. A frequent meeting or get-together of the two groups for an evening can and has solved this problem in some congregations and is heartily recommended.
Elders have a problem in the selection of the evangelist to work with the local church, and this has not always been efficiently solved. For proper teaching, proper growth, harmony, unity, and for the good of the church of Christ, this problem should be diligently, prayerfully and deliberately considered a major one. We know that the preacher, because of the very nature of his work, appears publicly before the congregation much of the time. His manner of life, his reputation, his teaching, his very appearance should be known and evaluated. His methods of work, his past work, his position on various hobbies, his position on the qualifications and duties of elders should be known.
All this puts the burden on the eldership to make this selection with care, not in haste. I know of no way to overcome this, except to deliberately and prayerfully do it. No eldership of wisdom will be pushed or hurried in this selection. Not panic, politics, or persuasive tongue should cause them to make unwise haste. Better to do without an evangelist for a time than to secure one not suitable or a trouble maker, a strong-willed man or a hobbiest. Much trouble in the church comes from neglecting this problem. The solution lies in making haste slowly with deliberation and study and a freedom from pressure from members or individual elders. It may be not difficult to fill the office, but it may be hard to fill it full. It may be difficult and full of sorrow to empty the office if a mistake is made. The problems of overseeing the various activities of the church I will mention to say that they are usually not difficult of solution if personalities can be left out and devotion to the cause only maintained.
Bible school instruction and oversight, the church singing, the vacation Bible school, the week day Bible classes and others are successful depending on the wis-dom, devotion, and activity of the elders and those assigned this work. The young people's work of recent years has devel-oped into a good work in many churches and in some is a major problem. A warning may be needed right here. I believe this work needs the close overseeing of elders. The activities of these groups must be supervised that good be done and no harm at all. The ages may be difficult, the awakening awareness of instinctive urges must be reckoned with. The teaching given must be controlled and may, at times, even need to be censored. Watchfulness here is needed and will bear fruit. The overcoming of these problems lies in an understanding, sympathetic, tolerant, yet scriptural oversight by elders conversant with the aims and ambitions of the work and of the young people.
#4--THE DUTY OF THE CHURCH WITH RESPECT TO PROBLEMS OUTSIDE THE LOCAL CHURCH.
Lastly, under the problems of the elders in the local church is that of the duty of the church. This implies something else, that the “flock,” the church, is to follow their instructions that it may be well with the church as with the elders. Congregations need to learn they must respect the elders and their leadership and overseeing or they, too, will be condemned. Each has a responsibility to the other. Members should not forget this on their part. Lack of cooperation or a rebellious attitude against the elders just because they do not like something that is being done or because they want it done another way is contrary to Bible teaching. So long as they lead scrip-turally, the members are to follow and the deacons to serve. “Obey them that have the rule over you and submit yourselves; for they watch for your souls as they that must give an account.”
Overcoming this problem includes most I have said up to this time. The respect for qualified men who fulfill the duties of the office of elder-overseer-bishop- steward in the Lord’s church will be merited from Christians who are converted and are taught the true teaching and have true Christian examples. I believe herein lies the most potent solution. To talk or teach one way and be an example of another way is to court distrust and lack of confidence and disunity. To secure proper and loyal followers, all rule must be both firm and gentle, both consistent and dependable. It must respect the flock and strive for their love and devotion without compromise, favoritism, or cliques. The picture brought to mind by the elder’s title of shepherd carries forth the thought desired. He is kind, loving, confidence begetting, feeder, protector of the flock, seeker after the lost, consistent, dependable, leader, and he “tends” his sheep in all ways. When elders do these things, the members will give support. They will neither be barren nor unfruitful. The Lord’s cause in that place will prosper.
Some problems of the eldership ivithout the local congregation do also exist. The first duty of the church is to preach the word—it is “the pillar and ground of the truth.” How much should the elders plan on doing this outside the local church? This is a problem and the solution is this: Do all that can be done not neglecting the local church. This so called “mission work” is a great opportunity and should be entered into. The problem of financing and planning such work is the work of the elders, and with an eldership with vision and practical application, will make this a major work. Paradoxical as it may seem, this is a most effective way of building up the local congregation.
I have often told others upon inquiry that the way to build up a local congregation in the Lord and toward devoted and sacrificial work is to do more work outside the church. This doing causes new devotion and sacrificial desire to do, to go beyond ourselves, to do for others and this, when carried out, leads to a more dedicated, alert and alive church. The giving into the Lord’s treasury increases with each new mission work taken on by the church. I am convinced and very sincerely so that the church of Christ will meet almost any good Biblical founded challenge presented to it that is within reasonable reach. This, to me, is very, very true. It may take courage and vision of the elders to see and plan, but when once planned with reason and inspiration, I believe the members of the church will meet the challenge. Our fault has often been that we did not present the challenge, were of insufficient vision or fearful of failure or afraid to plan so great an advance for the Lord’s work. The leaders can solve and over-come the problem of lack of mission effort usually by prayer, preparation, and planning, and then presenting the planned work to the taught congregation. An example: Skillman Avenue Church of Christ in Dallas, where I am one of thirteen elders, about ten years ago had a budget of about eight thousand dollars and not any regular mission activity (giving here and there upon appeal) and a membership of approximately half its present membership. During these past years, we have increased that budget to ione-hundred and forty-three thousand dollars, and regularly support wholly or a good portion of nine in the mission field in this country and abroad, have been the means of building two houses of worship outside of our own and have aided in others. Our total mission budget this year is forty-three thousand dollars. This problem is being solved daily and yearly by business-like planning, vision, and a loyal membership, many of whom give sacrifieially and many of whom give beyond the vision they had several years ago. “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” During this period we have also built our present house of worship, a wonderful plant for the Lord’s work, and instead of cutting the mission work, we have increased it each year. To overcome this problem of mission effort, or lack of it 'in the congregation, again let me repeat, the eldership should have vision of great work for the Lord, a willingness to devote time and energy to planning and a taught membership to present with the challenge. This pays great dividends to the church at home and enlarges the borders of his kingdom. The problem of starting new work in the same community or city of the local church may be faced by an eldership. This problem may be a serious one and cause enmity, confusion and undue competition unless it is planned and some unselfish thought and magnanimous attitude developed. We must remember that our sole aim is to spread the Gospel and make and keep people Christians. If energy and financial aid will be more productive in a portion of our city unoccupied by a congregation, and we can aid in beginning that work, we should plan on doing it. Study of locations, populations, accessibility, and many other things should go into the planning. It is much better “to swarm” with the aid, comfort, and cooperation of another congregation, and often times the moral and financial support, than to in any way begin the work as a disgruntled competitive group. It might also be the part of wisdom to confer with other established congregations in the same city or community that no ill will, strife, or feeling of too severe competition develop. This problem of the eldership can be worked out. In conclusion, I would sum up my thesis with but a few statements. “Overcoming Eldership Problems" will be approximated when the elders are true and qualified elders, pastors, shepherds, bishops, overseers, rulers, and stewards of God. God’s plan is perfection. Our working of that plan may leave unsolved problems, but if the elders in every congregation approach the qualifications enumerated in the inspired word of God, there will be less and less, for the duties are set forth in the qualifications and titles given.
Perhaps there will always be unsolved problems, “the poor ye have with you always." Also, there is the sinner, even though immersed, the trouble maker, and sometimes the hobbiest.
Let us strive on toward perfection, learning more, praying more, planning better and more, doing more, and with heaven as our goal and God as our guide, forgetting self, but living for him, we shall finally overcome and by his grace be with the redeemed flock of our Lord over there.
Dallas, Texas