Elders

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Intro

Hook?
Dear brothers and sisters of Christ at Flooding Creek, I have a heartfelt and pointed message for you today. All preaching should be ideally heartfelt and directed personally at you as listeners, but today has a heightened focus because it concerns our future as a local church.
God brings about all his plans for his glory, and he uses people like us in the unfolding story, both on the global scale of human history and in the unfolding story of each other’s lives.
How we respond to God’s word on this matter will affect the future history of Flooding Creek. Will we be a faithful, healthy and robust church making disciples and proclaiming Christ for a thousand years, or will we be be another failed church plant that leaves behind no trace?
If this is not your home church, perhaps you are visiting or only in town for a few weeks, no problem. This topic is still hugely important for you. Whatever church you belong to, you need to be equipped to think about church from a biblical perspective and labour among those believers in that local context for their mutual encouragement and strengthening in Christ. All churches face the issue of how God’s people should be led under our great Shepherd Jesus Christ. Regular church members needs to know about biblical leadership just as much as a pastoral candidate, so they can keep Elders accountable, and withstand the wolves who seek to devour their souls.
Now, before we go any further, I need to make this disclaimer....
Of course, the foundations of church are are on Christ. He is the rock on which this house is built, and His Apostles delivered to us the Gospel message through the power of the Holy Spirit so that each one of us might hear the Good News and be called to enter the Church through Jesus Christ. We come in by faith alone through grace alone, in Christ alone.
The Church is the saved people of God.
The Church are the citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven.
The Church are the elect ones called out of the world.
The Church is the flock, the sheep who hear the voice of Christ, they know Him and follow Him.
The Church, Christians, are reborn in Jesus Christ, by the Spirit, for the Glory of God.
It is from Christ, and in Christ and for Christ.
All that we speak of over the next while will be on the basis of this truth. We are going to spend a lot of time talking ecclesiology, but make no mistake, we are not here to build our own religious kingdom or quibble over trivialities.
We are not here to make our own name great.
We are not here to develop outward religion that is disconnected from the heart yielding to Jesus.
We are here to present Christ to everyone and everyone mature in Christ.
We are here to labour at Christ’s commission that he gave us.
Now, this “Gospel centrality”, or sometimes called “Christ-centered” perspective of church is not where we stop paying attention.
That is the centre, but the centre of what? Being Gospel Centred implies that this is in the middle of something larger. It is not the end of the Christian Faith, but it is the core of it.
If the Christian faith is like a wagon wheel, or a bicycle wheel, Christ and his Gospel form the hub and the centre, but there are spokes that connect from that hub out to the rim that meets the road. You cannot have the wheel without it’s hub, it holds everything together. But from it’s foundation flows the structural elements that hold it all together.
We must diligently search the scriptures together to see what those spokes are meant to look like, then go out and diligently work out our faith with these in mind.
One of the spokes is the nature of the church.
The scriptures teach us what church has meant to be like. And as we are looking at today, it tells us what our leadership should look like!
You cannot afford to just stick back and tune out as if this is unimportant because it is not a “core issue”. Wheels don’t work without spokes. The church and your personal faith can be terribly damaged if we don’t get this right.
So without further ado, let’s broach the main points for today. We are going to look at 4 aspects of Elders that the bible teaches us. This will equip and prepare us, as we move toward establishing a biblical eldership here in this local church.

1. The Need for Elders

First we see the need for Elders. The Need for Elders.
Some of us take this need for granted, and think “of course! This is self evident!” but unfortunately this is not always the case. So, for the sake of making sure we have sound doctrine, even on these rudimentary points, let’s consider God’s word.
In the Old Testament, God blessed the tribe of Levi with the opportunity to serve Him as priests. Remember, Levi was one tribe among the 12 tribes of Israel, and they were especially zealous for God’s holiness. So their reward was to be the spiritual leadership for the nation. They were spread abroad among the country, and they were to teach and instruct God’s people on God’s Covenant. They would help the people worship God through sacrifices and maintaining the temple. Each father was responsible to teach his children the covenant, and everybody was responsible to hear and obey God’s words, but the Priests were to lead them in this pursuit.
God’s people of old needed spiritual authorities to help them know God, worship God and follow Him rightly.
The Levites would be a foreshadow of Jesus Christ who is our forever High Priest. He presented himself as the atonement sacrifice and reconciled us to God. The distinctive priesthood of the Levites has been fulfilled.
But God’s people still need spiritual leadership to help them know God, worship God and follow Him rightly.
Originally as the New Testament church got started, they had the Apostles to oversee everything. They were there in the thick of it ministering through teaching and prayer. They could guard against bad ideas and make sure people understood the teaching of Jesus Christ.
They would at times impose restrictions or guidelines for the health of the church.
They would hear reports about how things were going in areas they were not directly involved.
They would start particular ministries to meet needs in the church.
As the church continued to grow larger and further away, it was very apparent that the Apostles couldn’t be everywhere at once!
There were only 12 of them, but local church groups were popping up all over the countryside in Judea, Samaria, Antioch, Damascus and beyond. Then Paul came along, and he was converted to the faith and Jesus made him an apostle to take the Gospel across the world planting churches wherever he went.
As people are converted under Paul’s preaching, the group of believers in that place would be called a church. And as Paul traveled around planting churches, he also appointed the leaders they needed:
Acts 14:21–23 ESV
When they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God. And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed.
I believe these two things are connected - Paul is traveling back through the young churches encouraging them and strengthening them, then the next moment he is appointing elders for the people in the church. Part of building up young churches is giving them godly leaders to look after them and guide them.
Here we are seeing that after the coming of Christ, there is a new office of leadership called Elders. It is borne out of synagogue model.
They are also sometimes called Overseers (Bishops) and Pastors (Shepherds). All these words are simple words that have an original meaning. So the words have been co-opted to formally apply to christian leadership. You will often find references to the elders of the Jewish people, those esteemed older men who were the leaders of their communities. But the church has taken this term for itself in official capacity.
Although Elder carries with it the connotation of age and wisdom, the scripture makes clear that the Holy Spirit can bring about wisdom and godliness beyond one’s years such that even a young man who has been tested and approved may be appointed as an “Elder”. Timothy is a great example of this, and we have recorded 2 letters that Paul wrote to Timothy about how to do his job well despite his age.
But this brings me to the point that the way that Paul wrote to Timothy, and our man Titus reveals the need for Elders too. Paul gave them, and by extension the HS gave the whole church, pastoral instruction on the need for Elders, their job and how to go about selecting them.
It was so important that Paul left members of his ministry team behind to set up elders in the church. Look:
Titus 1:5 ESV
This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you—
So as part of establishing the church on the island of Crete, Titus was to go around and make sure all the local churches in all the cities had elders.
Where is Crete?
This was important enough to do INSTEAD of other good Gospel mission. Why wasn’t Titus out doing evangelism? This was needed for God's church to be protected and flourish, so that the planting of those churches was not in vain.
So clearly the church needs elders, but what are they for?

2. The Commission for Elders

What is the mission parameters of Elders? What is their role?
Lets work from the broad principle down to specifics.
First: All leadership is under Christ, with delegated authority. All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Christ, and he gives some people authority in specific areas, such as in government, church and family.
Second: Within the church all leaders, from the Apostles down, were given by God to the church....
Ephesians 4:12–13 ESV
to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ,
So that means Elders too are aimed at the equipping of the saints for the building up of the body. It is not for Elders to do “ministry” on behalf of everyone else, but to equip you, the church, for your work in the body of Christ.
Now, how do they go about this? Well it’s in the names given to Elders.
Elders - leading men with experience and wisdom
Pastors - men who shepherd, leading and protecting a flock.
Overseers - responsible supervision, seeing that things are done in the right way.
We see these qualities coming though when Peter write to the church and encourages Elders to serve well in these areas:
1 Peter 5:2–3 ESV
shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock.
And Paul, when he is on his way to prison, he holds a pastors conference on his way past Ephesus, and he gave them this instruction:
Acts 20:28 ESV
Pay careful attention to yourselves and to 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.
So Elders are to care for and shepherd the flock - the church of God. Like good shepherds Pastors lead their flocks to good food and good water. That mean good elders will lead the flock to Jesus Christ the Bread of Life, the water of life!
They aren’t there to use and abuse the flock, to try and get ahead. Inevitably, positions of authority attract people to who want reputation and power. They want the privileges and position over and above care for the sheep. The flock comes first, and any blessings or honor that come from being in that position are a nice bonus, but not the aim of the game.
Their job is focused on others, their benefit, their protection, their growth, and only to themselves to the extent that they are to make sure they’re being an example worth following.
What this means is that Elders don’t just look at the verses about eldership for leadership guidance, they are looking at everything that God says so that they are a) guarding themselves so that they are an example of faithfulness, but then b) so that they can teach and help the church grow into the fullness of what God calls us to.
The fact that Elders are to pay careful attention to all the flock means that they will be involved in the life of the church, and concerned for your welfare.
So, when I, or future elders of this church ask you probing personal questions, or when I preach about specific sins that people in this church struggle against, it is not me being nosy or picking on you, it is out of care and love to see you grow in Christ and throw off the sin that entangles. It is part of how Elders defend and guide the flock.
A huge part of what Elders do is in the area of teaching. They are to
Defend the faith from bad teaching coming in.
Teach the good truth for the benefit of the church.
2 Timothy 2:2 ESV
and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.
When Paul had his pastors conference near Ephesus, he especially warned them that false teachers would be coming into the church, so they needed to be on the lookout.
Now, not every elder is going to be a published theologian, but all Elders must have a deep desire to know God from his word, a yearning to be learning the depths of doctrine. He should have enough wits about him to be able to identify wonky teaching, and then have the skills to examine the scriptures and respond.
There is more dodgy teaching arising all the time, so while it is important to know the big heresies from history, it is better to be so engrossed in God’s word that you can identify false teaching for yourself.
But knowing God’s word isn’t just about being able to shut down bad doctrine, it’s about lifting God’s people up in the truth. Part of this is being able to rebuke people.
Paul tells Titus that the Cretans had a reputation for certain sins, and Titus needed to call them out for this:
Titus 1:12–13 ESV
One of the Cretans, a prophet of their own, said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.” This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith,
Firstly note, - It’s OK to generalise sometimes, and to target culture specific issues. We Australians have certain sinful proclivities as a group, and Elders need to have the self awareness from God’s word to point that out - so that we can be sound in the faith.
Good teaching and paying attention to the flock eventually leads to Church discipline.
It is a tool God has given us for our spiritual growth - when we mess up, someone tells us.
If we refuse to listen, the issue is escalated, until the church rejects you. Elders have to oversee this process.
Even beyond discipline cases, the church oversees disputes - the church should be able to deal with some of the things you would normally go to civil court for. (not crimes)
Elders Order church - everything should be done decently and in good order. They have to oversee this, even if they are not the one directly involved.
This means that Elders have to guard against gossip and being busy-bodies
Anybody who becomes and elder should have some training in the stuff we’ve been talking about. We’re going to spend time looking at this in detail in the leadership classes in the future, and any elders appointed will have ongoing training.
There’s more to say, but I wanted you to have a clear picture of the role Elders have.
So,
We need elders.
Elders have a particular mission to protect and guide the church.

3. The Qualifications for Elders

You need only look around in the world to see the latest failure of church leadership. Which high profile pastor is being accused of fraud this week? Which celebrity pastor has been caught in an affair? Which church has covered up another scandal?
Now all leaders are sinners, and there is no guarantee that any leader won’t mess up big-time. But if we follow the guides that God put down for our health, protection and prosperity, the incidences of ungodly leadership will be vastly reduced.
The perennial temptation is to appoint people who present themselves well and are charismatic. But neither of those things are qualifications for Elders! What are they?
Titus 1:6–9 ESV
if anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife, and his children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination. For an overseer, as God’s steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.
Good reputation
One woman man - in life and thought
His house is in order, with believing kids who aren’t insubordinate (i.e. you have disciplined them in obedience), they aren’t “wasteful” like the prodigal who squandered the fortune.
Household is a picture of His leadership - what do want the church to be like - look at his home.
<run through list>
This is what all Christian men should be! So in that sense we should have a pool of choices before us and the only issue being whether or not they can teach.
Speaking of teaching - here that is again - Know & hold to Doctrine to be able to teach it and defend it. (Not an online bully! or an abrasive arrogant irritant).
Something this list doesn’t mention:
1 Timothy 3:6 ESV
He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil.
This has happened in my last church - it all seemed fine for a few years, then it all fell apart.
Mark Driscoll is a famous example - an incredibly gifted preacher who took on leadership before he had even been a member of a church, became puffed up with conceit and refused correction. He hasn’t fallen outside the faith yet but he is certainly a object lesson on this point.
Maturity over time.
Characteristics of the men, not that they never get angry or have a lustful thought, but theey are know and shaped by this.
So,
We need elders.
Elders have a particular mission to protect and guide the church.
Elders need to be characterized as examples of Christian men.

4. The Appointment of Elders

So lets say we can see Elder material, how do we go about putting them in place?
Lets go back to this verse:
Acts 14:23 ESV
And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed.
And,
Titus 1:5 ESV
This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you—
Appoint them in every town - carries the idea of an election or choosing. a.k.a “ordained”
So who does the choosing? Various traditions in history, top down choosing, or bottom up.
In Acts 6, they put forward deacon candidates from their midst, people who were trusted and the right people for the job. No reason not to do something similar for Elders.
No explicit commands on process - but implied that existing leadership should oversee (Paul did it, or he left Titus), and that the church collectively should put forward people.
This is what we will be doing - the body will endorse certain people for appointment (vote) and the existing elders will oversee the process.
The earliest Christian church handbook talks about this too:

15. Appoint for yourselves therefore bishops and deacons worthy of the Lord, men who are meek and not lovers of money, and true and approved; for unto you they also perform the service of the prophets and teachers. 2Therefore despise them not; for they are your honourable men along with the prophets and teachers.

Hot tip! Select leaders that are going to be easy to follow!
Hebrews 13:17 ESV
Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.
There are a couple more things to consider about appointing elders:
1 Timothy 3:1 ESV
The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task.
Desire it - not doing it out of compulsion, but willingly. It is a good thing to want, not for personal gain, but to want to serve the Lord in this way.
But! Warning!
James 3:1 ESV
Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.
God not “less just” with some people.
Bad theology: Elders held to a higher standard of character
Good theology: Elders should not take God’s name in vain - it is a weighty task to represent God in a position of authority, all the more when in the spiritual leadership! Our hypocrisy is elevated, the risk we defame Christ all the greater! Teachers will be judged more strictly.

What now?

Ask Jesus to give His Church holy and staunch leaders who are models worth emulating, strong in faith and weapons with the Word. Who will care for the flock and defend it from wolves.
If you are a man who has aspirations for eldership, let us put those aspirations to work. Come along to leadership classes - starting with self leadership, family then church.
If you are a long-time attender, but you have not yet committed to this body of believers, now is the time to make that commitment in the face of a consumerist, noncommittal society. Add your voice to those encouraging (or discouraging) men to take up this weighty task.
Start considering who you could encourage to stand for appointment. Who’s godly leadership would you joyfully submit to? We all have to submit to our leaders, but there are some who are a joy, and some who are a curse.
Lets ask Jesus right now to give us the Elders that His Word speaks of!
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