Sheep Seeking Shepherd
We hear often that Elders pray at big events, introduce new members, or present the budget, but they're really out of the loop as far as actually planning, leading, or initiating anything. In the Churches of Christ, we made our leaders into a kind of monarchy or board members over a corporation. And their job is simply to rubberstamp proposals that come by them.
The famous phrase in the Church of Christ is, "Hey, let's run it by the elders." We think they sit there and hear about 50 proposals, ideas, or projects, and they decide yes or no based on the budget. That's been our great sin in the church.
God's people have always needed leaders. Both the Old and New Testament provide information on the character and responsibilities of those who would lead God's people. God doesn't leave us without a job description.
Now, this image of leadership is established right away in the Old Testament, and it's confirmed in the New. I'd like to review some of these passages in order to provide insight into biblical shepherding or overseeing.
First of all, we go to the Old Testament. One such passage is found in the book of Zechariah. Zechariah is an Old Testament prophet and I want to give you a little background because he's kind of an obscure prophet that we might not be as familiar with.
Zachariah was a contemporary of Haggai, and both of these prophets served during the time when the Jews had returned from Babylonian captivity. The Jews were carried off by the Babylonians and lived in captivity for 70 years while the temple in Jerusalem lay in ruins. Eventually, the Jews were released from captivity and began to trickle back to Jerusalem to rebuild the city and the temple.
Now, it seems that when they first returned, they began to rebuild the temple with enthusiasm. However, they ran into opposition from surrounding nations and soon began to neglect their work, focusing on their businesses and personal dwellings. They let go of building the temple, leaving it incomplete. God chose Zachariah to preach and exhort the nation to return to work on the temple. This was the substance of the prophets' preaching.
Part of his preaching centered on the fact that rebuilding the temple was important because it was directly related to the coming of the Messiah in the future. The other part of his preaching had to do with shepherding and what he said was the difference between a good shepherd and a bad shepherd, and that's where we pick up Zachariah.
In Chapter 11, Zachariah describes the worthless shepherd. By contrasting this negative portrayal with the positive qualities of a good shepherd, we can understand what a good shepherd should be.
15The Lord said to me, "Take again for yourself the equipment of a foolish shepherd. 16For behold, I am going to raise up a shepherd in the land who will not care for the perishing, seek the scattered, heal the broken, or sustain the one standing, but will devour the flesh of the fat sheep and tear off their hoofs.
- Zachariah 11:15-16
What Makes a Good Shepherd/Elder?
Here are the elements that Zachariah says make up a good shepherd.
1. He Cares for the Parish
The common factor of life is that everybody's going to die. Dying is a very difficult passage for a lot of people. And during that time they need great spiritual support. Zacharias says the leaders of God's people help them to face death. To have one of my elders pray for me, reassure me, and comfort me as I pass from this life to the next is very important and comforting.
2. Evangelism
In my lesson this morning, I said that each member must find their own way to be evangelistic. This is especially true of elders, as they must lead in ministry by example.
I'm so glad to know that most of our studies, training, and baptisms have come through the work of our elders. That is one of the prime responsibilities of elders.
3. Heal the Broken
The elders don't possess miraculous gifts of healing. This refers to the breaking of the Spirit Elders Council and they encourage those whose souls are broken by sins they have committed or things committed against them. Why do you think we ask the elders to pray for those who come forward?
It's not a tradition, it's biblical. Note that in James 5, James says, "Call on the Elders." It doesn't say, "Are you sick? Call on the preacher." He says all of the elders are to pray, not only to help heal your physical body, but also to help you spiritually. Before the age of professional counselors, the elders were the ones to whom the brethren brought their burdens and concerns for advice and prayer.
And finally, he says, sustain the standing here, the references to the ministry, to the people in general, the healthy flock need encouragement. They need teaching and leadership to continue to go the right way. Paul in the New Testament says Timothy, that the first qualification necessary to be a good elder was the ability to teach as mentioned in I Timothy 3:2. And this is important because teaching is the way that leaders keep the flock fed and healthy.
Now, Zachariah talked less about the type of man that should lead God's people and more about the type of work that this person ought to be doing.
In Acts 20, Paul is on his way back to Jerusalem and he stops at an island off the coast of Asia Minor called Miletus. From here, he invites the elders of the Ephesians Church to come and meet with him. During their time together, he teaches, encourages them, and provides them with an exhortation concerning the things that they ought to be doing.
The shepherds, the Lord's church. Listen to what he says to them. Talking to elders who accepted 20 beginning 28, he says, "Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseer." The Shepherds, a Church of God, which He purchased with his own blood. Notice that he called them overseers. Not bishops.
They were the shepherds, shepherd or pastor, using two words interchangeably for exactly the same people. And he is. I know that after my departure, savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves, men will arise, seeking perverse things to draw away the disciples after them. Therefore, be on the alert, remembering that night and day for a period of three years, I did not cease to admonish each one with tears.
And now he says, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified. I've coveted neither silver nor gold nor clothing. You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my own needs and to the men who were with me in everything.
I showed you that by working hard, you must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus Himself. It is more blessed to give than to receive.
The Job Description of a Biblical Elder
So what does Paul say is the job description of a sheaperd?1. They must guard themselves
Take care of yourself. He says, "The best way to destroy the church is to destroy the leadership of the church." Leaders are human like everyone else. They are tempted in areas of their personal conduct. They are tempted to spiritual apathy. They can become emotionally depressed because they carry such a large burden for so many people.
They can be lured into division and dissension among themselves, arguing to see how things should be done. Paul says leaders must maintain themselves, need to guard themselves physically, emotionally, and spiritually to be ready and sharp because they are the major target of Satan's attack. I believe that's why the Lord's Church always has two or more elders, so they can help and support each other as well as confront one another.
When there is a problem, the most valuable thing that elders can do for one another is to confront each other in order to encourage each other to do what they ought to do. Secondly, Paul says they must guard the flock. Guard yourself, guard the flock. This, of course, is a general idea that covers a lot of areas.
2. They must guard the flock
Elders need to protect the church from anything that might harm it or lead it astray. This includes false teaching and false teachers. Every time we compile the teaching list for a new quarter, the coordinators and I work on selecting teachers, classes, and materials before it is printed.
The elders review each name and class, inquiring about the materials being used. They inspect the books and workbooks to ensure they meet the required standards. In the past, certain workbooks have been rejected due to containing inappropriate content.
We have had to go back to the drawing board and get new books, which is part of our job. We are putting them back together. They are screening everything, making sure that before you receive it, it's sound. The teachers are also responsible for protecting against those who may lose their souls. This includes protecting against divisive people or troublemakers who disturb the unity of the church.
They have to protect against harmful ideas and practices that may not necessarily violate the scriptures but are simply not beneficial. There may not be a specific commandment against it, but it's just a questionable idea. Perhaps we should reconsider, especially for financial reasons such as overspending or neglecting other important areas, or engaging in projects and activities that could damage our reputation or lead others astray. They have the responsibility to say, "No, I don't think that's a good idea."
Sometimes it's not always chapter and verse. Sometimes it's a judgment call. Sometimes the elders have to say, "According to our collective judgment, this is not a good idea." That's what leadership is all about. Making decisions. Elders have a responsibility to protect the church, and for this reason, they have the authority to allow or prohibit various activities and discipline individual members if they are causing problems to others or to themselves verbally, he says.
Help the weak, protect yourself, protect the church. This admonition is also an echo of Zacharias. Those who are weak in body and soul need prayer, counseling, and encouragement. Even though elders are not certified counselors, they bring the wisdom of God and the comfort of the Holy Spirit by their presence and prayer.
We should not underestimate the significance of receiving ministry from an elder when we are ill. They also need to support the spiritually weak and those who are new in the faith. Additionally, they should assist those who are trapped in sin. I have experienced this personally, and the elders have sent letters to individuals who have been unfaithful, informing them of their wrongdoing. "You need to make a change. "
Good leaders never rush the followers so quickly that the young and the weak can't keep up. Instead, they consistently support the weak to help them improve their ability to keep up and even progress with the group. In both the Old Testament and the New Testament, we find that God has given instructions on the role and responsibilities of individuals in the church.
And just as we have no right to alter anything from God's Word regarding doctrine, we must also not change the names and responsibilities that the Bible assigns to elders. It is easy for us to point to a denominational group.
They may call their minister, pastor, and they call their elders, bishops, and maybe one guy's in charge of six churches.
We call our elders, Elder. We use Bible names. Bible people. Yes, that's true. But we mustn't change the responsibilities of the elders either. That's just as serious as the other, and sometimes more damaging.
Now, the Bible not only provides a description of the duties of the leaders, but also the kind of people who should lead (I Timothy 3:1-7). Paul explains the character and qualifications needed to lead the church. I'm not going to spend a long time on this because we've reviewed it many times before, but I wanted to go over these points briefly as they fit naturally into my lesson.
It says that in order to be a leader, in order to be an elder in the Lord's Church, that person should desire to serve in this role. There should be a desire to do it. You don't need to coerce someone to become an elder. That person should be well-behaved and dignified. I don't mean snobbish, I mean dignified.
And those who hold his tongue, that person should have only one wife and believing children. We get that information in Timothy. That person should have developed the virtues of prudence, respectability, and hospitality. Those things should be evident in their lot. He should be able or apt to teach. The man should not be a drunk, argumentative, or greedy.
He should also demonstrate the ability to manage his own household. What kind of job has he done at home? He should have experience in church work and a good reputation in the community, not just within the church.
A lot of opportunity for trouble. We need a person with a good reputation in the community. One of our deacons, Don Alsup, recently ran for the school board and won. Some of us were on the phone. Many people in my circle said, I know Donald. I know who he is. He's a good man. I'm going to vote for him. I didn't even ask. And they told me, yes, he's the one I'm going to vote for because he's a good man. His reputation in the community was beyond what it is in the building. It had spread out into the community with the elders and me as well.
Now I have mentioned before that, apart from the basic requirements of being a man, a married man, and having believing children, those things are non-negotiable. These other qualities that I have mentioned should be developed to a point where they are evident to others. In other words, some people say, "Yes, I would like to be an elder, but how good a teacher do I need to be?"
How gentle and hospitable should I be? What level of hospitality is necessary? The answer is simple: Your qualities should be visible to others and confirmed. This includes being well-behaved, dignified, honest, prudent, and hospitable. Avoid being argumentative or greedy.
And so all of these qualities should be developed to the point where other people can easily see them. They can be cultivated indefinitely, but at least to the point where others acknowledge a dignified man with a good reputation in the community. Now, God not only provides the duties and qualifications for leadership, as mentioned, but also the necessary tools.
And I'll finish with that lesson: God provides the tools that leaders need to carry out their ministry. The main tool He provides is found in Acts 29.
1. God Provides Authority
When someone assigns me a task, I always acknowledge, "This is the job you've assigned me." These are the objectives that you want. Are you giving me the authority to carry out these things? No, God chooses a man to be a leader in the church. You give that man a thought.
We select men according to the guidelines in 1 Timothy and Titus. But when we find a man who is suitable as a candidate for Elder, it is the Holy Spirit who anoints them, not a man. That's what Paul says.
And it is important to understand that you were anointed through the Holy Spirit. The elders' authority comes from God, who appoints or commands, not us. This should address the question that has circulated for a long time.
Should elders be required to retire after a certain number of years?
This is a question that I have encountered throughout my life in the church. After 20 years, should all elders retire? Or should elders be rehired annually, with the church voting each year to reinstall them? I've heard this idea. What's the answer? Do you see that in the Bible anywhere, any prophet going up for popular vote in Israel, or in the New Testament, any church rehiring the elders annually?
I don't see it. When a man no longer qualifies to be an elder because he can no longer teach for some reason or another, if he can no longer speak, if he has an accident and his throat is damaged and he drops down, then he won't subject the audience to his mistakes.
When a man is disqualified due to sin, bad conduct, or causing division in the church, he must address these issues. The Bible instructs us not to entertain accusations against an elder without proper evidence.
Elders may do bad things. I have seen this in the past, and it can disqualify them. Sometimes God is the one who disqualifies an elder, perhaps through illness, and the elder is no longer physically able to serve. Or perhaps the family duty has been placed on your shoulders, which no longer permits you to do all the work that is needed.
Because now your family requires your attention for a variety of reasons or you die. That's a certain way that God disqualifies you. You're dead. Then you're excused. Otherwise, elders are called to serve with God's blessing in authority until God discharges them. Not the church. God is the one who anoints the elders. God is the one who describes them. This isn't politics. This is the Kingdom of God.
2. God Provides an Example
Therefore be on the alert, remembering that night and day for a period of three years I did not cease to admonish each one with tears.
- Acts 20:31
I have coveted no one’s silver or gold or clothes.
- Acts 20:33
You know that these have ministered to my needs. From the men who were with me, Paul and the other apostles provided examples of leadership for these first century elders to follow. These men also had the example of the great leaders in the Old Testament to learn from. God has preserved these images in His inspired words, which serve leaders today as a source of examples and inspiration.
God also provides the living example and teaching of our own elders today who are setting the pace. The Elders of tomorrow are observing our elders today to see how it is done. They do not do it perfectly, but they are setting the standard on how things ought to be done as an elder, and the younger men are observing them to know how to act in the future.
3. God Provides the Word of Grace
And now I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.
- Acts 20:32
The Word of God is the blueprint from which the elders work. Elders have no plan of their own. They do not rely on human wisdom. Their plans, their wisdom is based solely on the Word of God. I've heard this so many times that elders consider what the Word says about that. Or I don't find enough support in the Word for us to do it that way, or this violates the spirit of the Gospel.
I've heard those words said, and that's right. That's the way it ought to be. Elders are there to sift everything through the Bible to make sure that it works all emphasizes the idea of grace, the word of grace, because the word is the good news of God's grace towards sinners and elders lead God's people in being channels for God's grace to the law.
It's a common guideline among elders. It guides all their teaching and actions. They ask themselves if they are administering the grace of God in everything they do. Whether they put a plan together, dealt with a person, or took an action, they consider this question.
But have we dealt the grace of God to this person? There's the rule of the elders. The word of grace is the tool that they use in order to reprove, correct, and train the church, preparing them for the coming of Christ.
4. God Provides Himself
Now, in the Book of Acts, you will see instances where the Lord comforted Paul in his ministry. While he faced disappointment, illness, and opposition, the Lord appeared to him and comforted him directly. The Bible teaches that God anoints, equips, and ministers personally through his leaders, through the comfort of the Holy Spirit.
The burdens of leadership are great, but the God we serve is able to support his leaders so they will not fall under the weight. Now, it may not seem like it, but this lesson was not an attempt to teach our leaders about leadership. I have something specific to say to our leaders. I will not use the pulpit to do it. We have enough meetings. I can speak my mind openly to them now. They're already aware of their role and responsibility.
This lesson was to help the congregation understand about elders and their work. I also wanted to remind us about our role and response to our elders. According to God's Word, I talked about the elders, their role, responsibility, the Old Testament, New Testament, their job description, and how we respond to that.
How Do We (the Congregation) Respond to Elders?
1. Submit to Them
God teaches us to respond to our leaders first. He says, "Submit to them" (Hebrews 13:17). Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your soul. Unity and progress in the church are evident when leaders lead and the church follows without grumbling or complaining. That's how we respond to our leaders. We submit to them.
2. Pray for Them
1First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, 2for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. 3This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
- I Timothy 2:1-4
We submit to them. Secondly, we pray for them. Paul says, "I urge that prayers be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority." Elders are among those who are in authority, and our prayers help support them emotionally and spiritually so that they can do a good job.
3. Support and Honor Them
The elders who rule well are to be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching.
- I Timothy 5:17
We honor them by supporting their plans, respecting their role in their families, and encouraging them with our words and actions. Those who give themselves fully to the work, including preaching and teaching, as Paul says, are worthy of double honor. In other words, they are worthy of being paid. We had an elder here who served as an elder and a minister at the same time and earned a living perfectly.
Congregations will not rise above their leaders.
I have said that in the past, and that has been a word of exhortation to our leaders. The congregation will not rise above where you go. That's true, but I'll tell you something.
Leaders cannot effectively lead their people if they will not follow enthusiastically.
The best example of that is Moses. Moses was considered the greatest political and moral leader among men in history. Even secular historians agree that Moses was the greatest leader in history. But what happened? Moses and his generation of Israelites never reached the promised Land.
And what, because his followers continually rebelled and complained every step of the way. For that reason he didn't make it and they didn't. Successful leadership requires supportive followers, and I'm glad to note that we have many of those elements here in Choctaw, and I hope we continue to see that pattern grow. It's a good sign.
When most of the studies and baptisms are carried out by our elders, they are setting the pace and we need to follow. I know that our elders are ready and willing to lead. My question to you tonight is, are we willing to follow their plans and our direction for this church?
Are we ready to follow them into baptism, as they call us, to respond to the gospel? Those of us who have not yet repented and been baptized, are we ready to follow by being restored? Are we ready to place ourselves under their leadership by becoming members? Again, I emphasize the idea of becoming members, not just following tradition.
Placing membership states that I will now willingly place myself under the oversight of these elders so that they may minister to me and be responsible for my soul. If you wish to express your desire to follow their leadership in any of these areas, or if you need prayers for your struggles, we encourage you to come forward.
