Elders in the Bible

God’s chosen people have always needed leaders.  Jewish synagogues were first established when the Jews were exiled to Babylon.  By the first century these synagogues were led by a group of elders and the early churches followed this model.

In the early church, elders were selected by an apostle, such as Paul, or more usually by an apostolic delegate such as Timothy in Ephesus and Titus in Crete.  These apostolic delegates were usually elders within their own churches who had a wider role.  In the generation after the apostles these regional overseers became known as ‘bishops’, a title that had originally been used of all local church elders.  The elders were commissioned or ordained either by an apostle or by an apostolic delegate or by a council of elders.  Thus Timothy was told,

“Do not neglect your gift, which was given to you through a prophetic message when the body of elders laid their hands upon you.” 1 Timothy 4:14

“Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands.” 1 Timothy 5:22

The involvement of the apostles and elders from other churches had the benefit of preventing isolated churches going their own way, out of harmony with other churches.  This lack of unity has been a major problem in many non-conformist denominations.  It also means that these elders can be recognised and serve in various churches.

Role of Elders

At the end of John’s gospel, Peter was commissioned by the Lord Jesus to shepherd God’s people.  He was charged,

“Feed my lambs” John 21:15

“Take care of my sheep” John 21:16

“Feed my sheep” John 21:17

The word ‘pastor’ is the same ‘shepherd’.

Many years later, at the end of his first letter he passes on this obligation,

“So I exhort the elders among you as a fellow elder . . . shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight . . . being examples to the flock.  And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.” 1 Peter 5:1-4

Paul used a similar analogy when speaking to the Ephesian church elders,

“ . . . pay careful attention to yourselves and all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers to care for the church of God which he obtained with his own blood.” Acts 20:28

This shepherding language clearly comes from the Old Testament.

Old Testament leaders

The ancient Greek author Homer once said,

“All kings are shepherds of the people.”

There are however good and bad shepherds.

Many of the heroes in the Old testament had been real shepherds before being called to lead God’s people.  Moses had spent many years as a shepherd, as had King David and the prophet Amos.  Many of the nations in the ancient Near East  used the idea of shepherding as a metaphor for leadership.  In Psalm 23 David describes the Lord God as his shepherd,

“The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.  He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters., he restores my soul.  He guides me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.” Psalm 23:1-3

Kenneth Bailey made a telling point about the way a good shepherd leads his flock.

“The good shepherd “leads me”; he does not “drive me.” There is a marked difference. In Egypt where there is little open pasture land I have often seen shepherds driving their sheep from behind with sticks. But in the open wilderness of the Holy Land the shepherd walks slowly ahead of his sheep and either plays his own ten-second tune on a pipe or (more often) sings his own unique “call.”

The sheep appear to be attracted primarily by the voice of the shepherd, which they know and are eager to follow. It is common practice for a number of shepherds to gather at midday around a spring or well, where the sheep mingle, drink and rest. At any time one of the shepherds can decide to leave, and on giving his call all his sheep will immediately separate themselves from the mixed flocks and follow their shepherd wherever he leads them.”

Ezekiel had some strong words to say about the leaders of the remnant of Israel who had failed to lead God’s people as God required.  They had failed to teach people the word of God, that is always how God’s people are fed.  They used their status for their own benefit but failed to care for the people for whom they were responsible.  They had not cared for the less fortunate or brought those who were lost back into their family, instead they had ruled selfishly.

“This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Woe to the shepherds of Israel who only take care of themselves!  Should not shepherds take care of the flock (ESV feed the sheep)?  You eat the curds clothe yourselves with the wool, and slaughter the choice animals, but you do not take care of the sheep.” Ezekiel 34:2-3

“You have not strengthened the weak, or healed the sick, or bound up the injured.  You have not brought back the strays, or searched for the lost.   You have ruled them harshly and brutally.” Ezekiel 34:4

On the other hand, weak leadership will result in a failure to draw people together as an effective team.  Ezekiel continued,

“So they were scattered, because there was no shepherd, and they became food for all the wild beasts.” Ezekiel 34:5

A good shepherd will always be concerned to enlarge the part of God’s kingdom that he is responsible for,

“ . . . the strayed you have not brought back, the lost you have not sought . . . my sheep were scattered over the face of the earth, with none to search or seek for them.” Ezekiel 34:4,6

Dietrich Bonhoeffer referred to Adolf Hitler and leaders like him as bad shepherds or “mis-leaders.” Bonhoeffer gave a speech just two days after Hitler’s election that proved prophetic. He said that if a leader did not understand that his authority was derived from God, and did not use his position and power to serve the people, then “the image of the leader will pass over into the image of the mis-leader, and he will be acting in a criminal way not only towards those he leads, but also towards himself. . . . He has to lead the individual into his own maturity.” Bonhoeffer proclaimed Hitler a mis-leader before his regime had even been fully formed. But one does not have to be a Hitler, or one of Ezekiel’s blatantly evil shepherds, to be a “mis-leader.”

New Testament leaders

Teachers

Paul recognised that church elders feed their flock by teaching.  He introduced the term pastor-teacher to designate this role,

“ . . . some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service.” Ephesians 4:11-12

This verse has been translated in the ESV,

“ . . . some to be pastor-teachers to equip the saints for the work of ministry.” Ephesians 4:11-12 ESV

The only gift that is essential in an elder is that they are “able to teach’’ (1 Timothy 3:2).  This does not mean that all elders must have ‘up-front’ preaching gifts as later in the same letter Paul writes,

“The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honour, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching.” 1 Timothy 5:17

It has been a widespread tradition in most Christian denominations that the elders should preside at Communion services as they are the ones who are responsible for leading God’s church.  It should be stressed that this eldership is not the same as being ordained into a particular denomination.  There have been many problems in denominations where only one pastor has been recognised by the denomination to lead a church and they do not have all the gifts needed to do this.  A plurality of elders does help to prevent such problems.

Carers

Just as Ezekiel berated the elders of his day for not caring for those facing difficult times.  It is so easy for church elders to focus on pleasing the affluent, healthy and socially powerful.  Paul charges  the Ephesian elders,

“  . . . pay careful attention . . . to all the flock of God.” Acts 20:28

In particular, Paul said,

“ . . . help the weak.” Acts 20:35

This doesn’t mean that the elders should do this all themselves but it does mean they are responsible for ensuring that it does happen.  They are the leaders of a church of ministers.

Warners

Just as in Ezekiel’s time, weak leaders fail to warn people of very real dangers.  Jesus was forthright in warning his followers that false teachers will infiltrate into churches and mislead God’s people.

“Watch out for false prophets.  They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.” Matthew 7:15

Later he again emphasised this danger of false church leaders,

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy.” John 10:10

“The hired hand is not the shepherd who owns the sheep.” John 10:12

Paul set an example to the Ephesian church elders by warning them what would happen in the future,

“I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock.  Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth . . .” Acts 20:29-30

This is not easy as weak leaders will find it hard to confront false or poor teachers.  It is all too easy to want to be accepted by everybody and so fail to confront what is unhelpful for the flock.  So many false teachers are terribly pleasant.  Paul emphasised this need to stand up against those who do not emphasise the message of the apostles when he write to Titus about the qualities of an elder,

“He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.” Titus 1:9

In Psalm 23 the Good Shepherd has two tools, one for the forcible defence of his sheep and the other to guide them.

“Your rod and your staff comfort me.” Psalm 23:4

The scholar Ken Bailey has explained what these implements mean:

“The Hebrew word here translated “rod” (shbt) has a long history. Its meanings include rod, sceptre and weapon. It does not refer to a “walking stick.” Rather it is the shepherd’s primary offensive weapon for protecting the flock from enemies, be they wild animals or human thieves. The instrument itself is about two and a half feet long with a mace-like end into which heavy pieces of iron are often embedded. It becomes a formidable weapon.

…… The shepherd’s staff is not for defending the flock from any external threat, but for caring for the sheep as he leads them daily in search of food, drink, tranquility and rest. These two instruments are a pair. The first (the rod) is used to protect the flock from external threats. The second (the staff) serves to gently assist the flock in its daily grazing. The sight of these two instruments comfort the sheep.”

Good shepherds today must also be willing and able to stand up against the enemies of God’s people.

Searchers

Ezekiel had taught that bad shepherds,

“ . . . have not brought back the strays or searched for the lost,” Ezekiel 34:4

So today there are far too many who call themselves elders who seem to have no interest in winning people for Christ and his kingdom.  Good shepherds are not satisfied with just the sheep in their fold, they are also concerned for the ‘lost sheep,’ just as Jesus was.  Evangelism matters very much to the Lord.

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Jesus Warning for Church Leaders

The temptations facing church ministers and elders can be immense.  Kong Hee was the Senior minister of a very successful Assemblies of God church in Singapore that had over 23,000 attendees.  In 2015 he and five others in the church team were convicted of being involved in Singapore's biggest fraud case concerning the misuse of charitable funds.   There were irregularities in the diesribution of at least $23 million in the church's funds, which were used to finance the secular singing career of Sun Ho, Kong Hee’s wife.  There had been a concerted effort to conceal this movement of funds.. An appeal judge described Kong as ‘coloured by greed and self-interest’.   How easy it is for power within churches to be abused and used for the leaders benefit and it is then simple to justify these wrongful actions.

Jesus taught that being a Christian is not simply a matter of holding to correct theology but involves continued godly service.  He said:

“Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, like servants waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him.  It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes. Truly I tell you, he will dress himself to serve, will have them recline at the table and will come and wait on them.  It will be good for those servants whose master finds them ready, even if he comes in the middle of the night or toward daybreak.  Luke 12:35-38

Jesus was clear that he will be returning to his world at some time in the future and he expects all his people to be ready for this.  Jesus’ return to judge ‘the living and the dead’ is a constant theme in Scripture, it is not a minor theological footnote but a major doctrine.  There are one hundred and sixty chapters in the New Testament and Christ’s return as judge comes three hundred and eighteen times.  Some Christians are greatly reassured by this doctrine, their judge is also their Saviour, and they are looking forwards to meeting him face to face.  However, unfortunately some have become sceptical; ‘We have waited two thousand years and nothing has happened’, they think and this will affect how they live.  Most are somewhere in the middle.  They recite the credal statements about Christ’s return ‘to judge the living and the dead’ but this has little significance for their lives.

Jesus is again stressing that he really will be returning and it is vital that his people are living in the light of this.

In the popular television series ‘Downton Abbey’ the opening scenes depict the maids, cooks and butlers all scurrying around, busy in service.  The reason is that Lord Grantham, (played by Hugh Bonneville) is returning.  Everything must be ready because their Lord is returning.

The phrase in this passage, translated ‘dressed ready for service’, is literally ‘with loins girded’.  In those days people in the middle East tended to wear long clothes that hung down to the ankle, so, if a person wanted to run and avoid tripping, they would have to pull up the lower hem of their clothes and tuck them into their belt.  This would free the legs for running.  The image is clear.  The Lord expects his followers to be running about serving him.  They are also to keep their ‘lamps burning’ which probably means, ‘Keep shining for the Lord Jesus by what you do and say’.  Jesus said in the Sermon on the Mount:

“In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16

Christians are meant to be active in society with the clear intention that others will recognise that this is done because they are Christians so that they too may come ‘to glorify your Father in heaven.’

This service will not be easy, it may involve long hours of service and hard work.

“It will be good for those servants whose master finds them ready, even if he comes in the middle of the night or toward daybreak.”

In this short paragraph Jesus repeats three times, ‘It will be good’ – wants his hearers to understand that serving him will definitely be beneficial.  The reward Jesus then describes is striking and most unexpected - the master will become their servant.

“Truly I tell you, he will dress himself to serve, will have them recline at the table and will come and wait on them.”

They would recline because in those days the tables were very low and people lay on the floor, often on cushions when they ate.  The master will make himself their slave, a complete reversal of roles.  But is this so surprising?  Jesus has already ‘emptied himself, taking the form of a servant’ (Philippians 2:6-7) when he came into his world to die for us, he took the form of a servant when he washed his disciples feet in the upper room (John 13:1-5), so is it out of character for him to continue serving those who have been faithful to him?

We need to cling to this as it will transform the way we live as we wait.  When I was just seven years old I went to a boarding preparatory school.  One day I received a letter from my mother saying that she would be coming to visit me on a certain Saturday.  I still remember the excitement as I looked forward to that day.  On that Saturday there I was, waiting enthusiastically, looking out of the window, waiting for her to walk up the school drive.  Then there she was. To say I was thrilled would be an understatement.  The certainty of my mother’s promise now became a reality.  God wants all of us to know such a joy that stems from the promises of God.  He is coming back to serve us and hopefully to say, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant’ (Matthew 25:21, 23).

The thief is coming

Jesus now gives another slant to his message that could be summarised as, ‘Be ready’.  He moves from certainty to uncertainty.    He refers to that awful feeling when you realise that your house has been broken into.

One morning our front door bell rang.  There was a neighbour holding a wallet and asking if it was mine, it had been found in the road.  This led to the discovery that a thief had broken into our home during the night, taken our television, removed our car from the garage having found the keys and wallet in my jacket.  My wife and I were fast asleep – we had not realised this could happen to us.  We had been given no warning, we were simply caught napping!

“But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into.  You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.” Luke 12:39-40

Jesus uses this common illustration to emphasise the need for Christians to be constantly aware of the fact that the Lord will return one day.  There will be no warning, there will be no cosmological precursor events, there is no hidden code in the Bible as some have suggested might tell us the date.  Even Jesus himself did not know when this event would occur.

“But about that day or hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” Matthew 24:36

What we do know is that we must keep preparing for his return.  Jesus makes a final declaration right at the end of the Bible:

“Yes, I am coming soon” Revelation 22:20

The best way we can prepare for his return is by being active in his service, being godly ourselves and winning others for him.  In my recent book, ‘The Duty of a Disciple’ I have summarised what the Bible emphasises about the need for all Christians to be involved in and trained in sharing the faith with others.

Earlier in Luke 12 Jesus had been addressing the crowds but then he spoke specifically to the disciples.  It is no longer clear who Jesus was speaking to, when he told the parable about the need for the servants to be prepared for the return of their master.  However, Peter helpfully asked Jesus a question,

“Lord, are you telling this parable to us or to everyone.” Matthew 12:41

Who needs to get ready, the masses or the disciples? Jesus replies by telling another story about a manager or leader.  Although what he was saying is relevant for all Christians, Jesus clearly intends that their leaders or managers take these lessons to heart.

The faithful and wise manager

“The Lord answered, “Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom the master puts in charge of his servants to give them their food allowance at the proper time?  It will be good for that servant whom the master finds doing so when he returns.  Truly I tell you, he will put him in charge of all his possessions.  Matthew 12:42-46

In the Downton Abbey series, it was the role of the Head butler, Carson, to lead all the others as they prepare for Lord Grantham’s return.  In Jesus’ parable the manager’s role is specifically said to be to ‘give them their food allowance at the proper time’.  Perhaps this is why there is so much emphasis in the Bible for God’s leaders to be good teachers.  When Jesus was tempted by the devil he answered by quoting Scripture,

“Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”” Matthew 4:4 and Deuteronomy 8:3

Today many church members are dying spiritually and they are dying from biblical malnutrition. Many church leaders focus on meeting physical and social needs, which in itself is good, but they neglect to feed them by teaching the Word of God. How we desperately need to raise up more and better Bible teachers.  If we are parents, children’s group leaders, home group leaders, or preachers we have been entrusted to care for people and encourage them to remain faithful to the Lord.  We can best do this by teaching Scripture and by convincing them that this really is the reliable Word of God.

Jesus again ends by emphasising that serving him faithfully will be well worth while:

“It will be good for that servant whom the master finds doing so when he returns.  Truly I tell you, he will put him in charge of all his possessions.”

The false managers  

Unfortunately there will always be managers who are unfaithful concerning their commission.

1.  The first group of church leaders are simply wicked:

“But suppose the servant says to himself, ‘My master is taking a long time in coming,’ and he then begins to beat the other servants, both men and women, and to eat and drink and get drunk.  The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of.” Luke 12:45-46

This Christian leader’s problems start with doubts that are not resolved - he no longer trusts the Word of God.  Instead of being fruitful for Christ he uses his status to abuse others.  Instead of feeding others he becomes a physical glutton.  This rejection of the authority of the word of God over them leads first to selfish worldly thoughts and then to downright wicked behaviour.  His perspective is only on this world – how foolish!  He still sees himself as a Christian but in reality he has rejected his master and his master’s word and, according to Jesus has turned his back on the salvation Jesus offers.

How many church leaders of all denominations have slipped from doubt into pornography, promiscuity, homosexual practices, paedophilia, abuse of their position, bullying or theft.  How the press loves to highlight and demonise Christian leaders who fall.  What is worse is that they can then advocate these practices as ‘normal for this present age’ as if God’s likings and dislikes have ever changed.  They will even persuade others to support them.  For example, there are now some church leaders who want to change the doctrine of marriage and that it must be between one man and one woman.   Even sexuality is in doubt, a person can be what they want to be and deny how they were created by God.  One teenager is told her form teacher that she felt as if she was a zebra and wanted to be addressed as such!  The reason for this fall is always, ‘Men have forgotten God’, they have turned their backs on what God has taught us in his Word as well as how god has made us.  Such wicked managers are following the example Judas Iscariot in rejecting the authority of Jesus and he warns that they will face his fate in eternity.

“The wages of sin is death” Romans 6:23

The eternal fate of such leaders, ministers or elders will be awful, God will treat them at the judgment as unbelievers for that is what they are!  Justice will be done.

“He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the unbelievers.” Luke 12:46

2.  The second group of managers are lazy and disobedient.

“The servant who knows the master’s will and does not get ready or does not do what the master wants will be beaten with many blows.” Luke 12:47

This manager is doing little for Christ.  He is not leading others to godliness, they are not caring for people, they are not reaching out to others with the gospel of salvation and are teaching people little of God’s Word.  Such ministers are leading the easy life.  Doubtless they will make excuses but their Lord sees through them.  They like the prestige and status of being a leader but are not leading people to Christ.

One vicar with this problem was challenged by the church trustees over his behaviour.  His response was simple,

“This is my church.  I am the vicar.  If anyone has a problem they can leave!”

Such an elder needs to remember that the church is not theirs, it belongs to the Lord Jesus; they are only the manager who will have to give an account to God for the way they have behaved.  Jesus says, ‘They will be beaten with many blows’.

Paul recognised that there were such elders in the church of Corinth who were not acting effectively and he warns them,

“For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.  If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work.  If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward.  If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames. 1 Corinthians 3:11-15

Such managers or elders have not invested in anything worthwhile in eternal terms.

3.  The third group are simply ignorant. 

Many Christians in Britain or the United States have had the greta privilege of being taught the Scriptures faithfully for many decades but Jesus said that with this come great responsibilities.  Elders who have not been taught the Scriptures cannot be expected to teach it well.  It is likely that they have never had good ministry modelled to them either.  This is why the ideal is for all future elders to be apprenticed to a firm godly minister who can set them on the right path.  It is not possible to learn what is needed from books or college, people need to see ‘living for Christ’ in action.

“But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.” Luke 12:48

God is always fair, his judgment will fit the facts.  However this is a salutary reminder for us who have been given so much, that God expects to see more from our service.

“. . . from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.” Luke 12:48

"With great power comes great responsibility" is a phrase popularized by Spider-Man in Marvel comics and films,  and it was told by Uncle Ben when advising the young Peter Parker.  The concept however goes right back to Jesus who warns us all about our responsibilities.

A good church will therefore major on teaching and training.  People need not just to know the Bible stories but to be able to think through what is being taught and apply then this to how they live their lives in today’s world.  There are many questions that people have and they need to be shown where possible answers lie.

In the evening of 2ist June 2015, my son Andy was ordained as a presbyter or elder in the Church of England.  That morning he preached on this passage, Luke 12:35-48, and he emphasised the four options that lay ahead of him and asked people to pray for him.  Few commit themselves to being ordained as an elder or church minister insincerely, but over time doubts can arise which if not addressed can lead into compromise and sin.

What really matters?

We will all have to give an account to the Lord and explain how we have used the gifts he has given us, in whatever area of life we have moved into.  Those who opt to be church leaders must understand the seriousness of this decision.  It is easy to think that this passage is really a passage for others but it does have much to say to all of us.  However, it has much to say in particular to those who are church ministers or elders or are thinking about embarking on this course.  It is no easy option to be a church leader; we like our Lord are called to be aflame for God and this will cause conflagrations!  Jesus finished this section with these words,

“I have come to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled!” Luke 12:49

BVP

Blog Post Title One

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Blog Post Title Two

It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

Don’t worry about sounding professional. Sound like you. There are over 1.5 billion websites out there, but your story is what’s going to separate this one from the rest. If you read the words back and don’t hear your own voice in your head, that’s a good sign you still have more work to do.

Be clear, be confident and don’t overthink it. The beauty of your story is that it’s going to continue to evolve and your site can evolve with it. Your goal should be to make it feel right for right now. Later will take care of itself. It always does.

Blog Post Title Three

It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

Don’t worry about sounding professional. Sound like you. There are over 1.5 billion websites out there, but your story is what’s going to separate this one from the rest. If you read the words back and don’t hear your own voice in your head, that’s a good sign you still have more work to do.

Be clear, be confident and don’t overthink it. The beauty of your story is that it’s going to continue to evolve and your site can evolve with it. Your goal should be to make it feel right for right now. Later will take care of itself. It always does.

Blog Post Title Four

It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

Don’t worry about sounding professional. Sound like you. There are over 1.5 billion websites out there, but your story is what’s going to separate this one from the rest. If you read the words back and don’t hear your own voice in your head, that’s a good sign you still have more work to do.

Be clear, be confident and don’t overthink it. The beauty of your story is that it’s going to continue to evolve and your site can evolve with it. Your goal should be to make it feel right for right now. Later will take care of itself. It always does.