Sermon Tone Analysis

ELDERS: THE BIG PICTURE

I believe many folks get confused about who elders are and what their role should be

Some churches are “elder led” — instead of pastor-led

Some churches have an “elder board” but that board is not in total control of the direction of the church…the pastor is still given that role…with accountability to the elder board

Other churches have a regular church board — with an elder or more serving with the board, alongside deacons

Some churches just have a board — that can be good or it can be evil!

Some churches even have a “board of directors”

When you need help (ministry, spiritual guidance, etc.), who do you call on?

ELDERS!

You may not call them elders, but in essence, that is the role they play

Qualities of an elder…people that:

Are available (consistent)

Are approachable (you can be at ease around them)

Are kind, hospitable, and loving

Set an example through how they navigate their own lives

Are highly respected by the people you respect

What is an elder?

Shepherd

Mentor

Equipper

Shepherd — what makes an elder a shepherd?

First..a shepherd is not a hired hand, only in it to make a buck

A shepherd is not someone that gets thrown into the job of managing a flock

Shepherds lived among the sheep — day and night

They helped bring new lambs into the world

The sheep knew their shepherd and would only answer to his voice

A real shepherd could be spotted by people…because they smelled like their sheep

Mentor — What makes an elder a mentor?

They have been where you are going

They influence us to want to be like them when we grow up

They know the pitfalls and dangers we will face so they can help us navigate without throwing in the towel…although sometimes they might frustrate you because they are so determined not to give up on you

EQUIPPER — what makes an elder fit the description of equipper?

An elder is also an EQUIPPER — what makes an elder fit the description of equipper?

says it all — prepare us for works of service

Especially through one-on-one time with both problem children and possibility ones

Help us to discover our spiritual gifts…help guide us into effective ways to serve in the kingdom

They don’t leave you there....then they help you hone specific skills needed to do what God has called you to do

Paul’s farewell to the elders of Ephesus ()— brings more clarity

Three words used by Paul and also by Peter ()

Elders — prebuteroi

Shepherds — poimaennoi

Overseers — episkopoi

Presbuteroi - Elder

Older in experience and years — set an example as leaders b/c of what they have learned

Poimaenoi — Pastor…more accurately, Shepherd

Not just one person in a congregation…but a number of people

Episkopoi — Bishops, overseers, but most accurate would be something like “caretakers” or “those who watch on behalf of”

The constituency of the episkopoi is a “flock” and their task is to “feed” it.

Whatever is implied in “overseeing” cannot be divorced from the role of “shepherding.”

…In fact, to whatever degree such terms as “superintendent,” “overseer,” “guardian,” and “bishop” are used to emphasize the rank of the position, to that degree they mitigate the true meaning of the term “episkopoi.”

(Anderson quoting Carl Hollanday)

Or, as H.W. Beyer says, “It is plain that the point of the office (episkopoi) was service, and service alone — Anderson

The qualities of elders are found in and

I like how Anderson points out that these passages are not lists of qualifications…but a description of the qualities of an elder…specific to Ephesus and Crete…therefore not exhaustive but relevant to their specific settings.

Elders are uniquely suited to the place God calls them…they might be a disaster in another place.

What elders do involves the roles of shepherd, mentor and equipper — The descriptions found in 1 Timothy tell us the kind of people they need to be

Experience

Character

Vision

What kind of experience?

What did you see in the book?

Experience in Life

They have been around awhile: with Jesus, the devil,

Experience in the Word

Able to teach - this is not a cookie cutter thing…can be true in various ways besides just the obvious ones

They bring hope in their teaching

They bring warnings…when necessary, in their teaching

They study deeply…and teach from experience

Our best passions are stirred by a shepherd who lives under the Cross with blood in his tracks and a Bible in his hands — Anderson

Experience with successful relationships…family and otherwise

If a man’s life cannot stand the scrutiny of his wife and children, we dare not put our souls under his care — Anderson

Experience in loving all kinds of people…in and out of the church

Experience in loving all kinds of people…in and out of the church

What kind of Character?

Book?

Consistency

Consitency

Self-control - both negative and positive

Courage

Will do God’s will…no matter what flack or dangers it might bring

What kind of vision?

Book?

Visionary Leadership

Flexible Leadership

Welcoming Leadership

Multiplying Leaderhip

Delegated Leadership

Hostility-absorbing Leadership

So I guess this means and elder pretty much has to be perfect, right?