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Elders and their Work
This is Part 1 of a two part study looking at Elders and their Work.
Jimmy McMillan is stepping down after 23 years of service.
Ric Allen and Terry Bowden will continue in their roles as Elders of East Side.
They have put 3 names up for consideration before the congregation:
Jerry Dever
David Miller
Allen Paris
I have already received a few questions in the question box that we’ll answer today.
If you have any other questions, put them in the box in the back and I’ll address them next week.
Elders: What do they do?
Of all of the words used for an elder in the Bible the one that is most descriptive is a shepherd.
What does a shepherd do?
Guidance in following Christ, praying over the sick, checking in on members, Firstfruits, making decisions about the direction of the congregation, managing logistics of the organization.
Shepherd selection is not a popularity contest, it’s a calling.
Congregations need elders who are gifted to shepherd the flock.
We often consult “the lists” and find people who can check off the boxes with little consideration for if that person has been gifted by the Holy Spirit as a shepherd of God’s people.
A shepherd/elder should be about the work of representing and imitating the Good Shepherd in the congregation in which they serve.
Acts 20
Paul had a deep connection and love for the church at Ephesus.
He spent 3 years working there, then wrote them a letter, then wrote two letters to their preacher Timothy.
Knowing he will soon be arrested, and will never see the elders of this church he loved again, he sends for them.
Acts 20:25-31
“Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock...”
Shepherding is a difficult job.
Who looks out for the elders?
Who shepherds the shepherds?
They do.
They do.
Timothy did as well, so just as I minister to the congregation I also minister to the elders, but they have a responsibility to look out for each other physically, spiritually, and emotionally.
Shepherding the flock can be difficult because sometimes the flock doesn’t want to be shepherded.
Sheep never have the same view or understanding as the shepherds.
Occasionally the shepherds will ask a congregation to do something uncomfortable.
Know that they have the best interest of the flock in mind.
“…the Holy Spirit has made you overseers.”
This should go without saying, but I’m pretty sure it’s gone without saying my entire life.
The congregation does not choose elders.
Elders do not choose elders.
The Holy Spirit himself chooses elders.
I don’t think I’ve ever heard that preached.
I know I didn’t point it out when we went through Acts.
Much time in prayer has been spent by the elders, ministers, our families to seek the will of God and the moving of the Spirit in this process.
We ask you to join us in seeking the Holy Spirit’s will on behalf of our elders.
“So be on your guard!”
This language about “savage wolves” and “wolves in sheeps clothing” seems to be trotted out whenever someone does something we don’t like.
Stop it!
It is the role of the shepherds to protect the sheep.
This is the ministry of love and concern for those in the elders’ care.
As Lynn Anderson put it they should “smell like sheep.”
They are to lead the congregation in truth , guard against false teaching, and be on their guard in order to help the sheep as much as possible.
It is an active role.
It’s not an emeritus title, it’s work.
They must constantly search the Scriptures, listen to the Spirit’s leading, and be aware of what the congregation is doing.
This includes your personal lives.
They need to speak truth into your life, not only concerning themselves about what happens in the building.
Shepherds who are shepherds in title only but aren’t present with the sheep put the flock in a dangerous position.
People think the shepherd is on duty but no one is looking after the sheep.
That is when wolves move in.
No one seems to notice this until it is too late and the damage has been done.
1 Peter 5
Chapter 4 talks about suffering for being a follower of Christ (if you’re not suffering, or have never suffered, maybe it’s not really Christ you’re following?)
1 Peter 5:1-7
“Be shepherds of God’s flock...”
This is not your church.
This is God’s church bought with the blood of Christ.
Elders are called to be undershepherds to the Chief Shepherd.
Be mindful that there is something at work bigger than you here.
Peter is basically reminding us this is serious business.
“…because you are willing...”
“…eager to serve;”
There should be no superiority complex here… “not lording it over” the congregation.
It’s a huge responsibility that requires a servant’s heart, and a great deal of humility.
The idea here is that the shepherd is a concerned guide, not a severe ruler.
They are exhibiting the behavior they wish to see in the congregation.
Living out the image of Christ.
They’re called to be examples for us to follow.
“...clothe yourselves with humility...”
All of you.
That means the sheep and the shepherds.
All of us must show humility toward one another.
All of us will fail.
We must be honest about that.
We need to be humble and recognize our shortcomings.
Congregation, submit to the elders.
Elders, be examples to the flock of how to clothe yourself with humility toward one another.
“God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.”
The church should never have God stand in opposition to it.
Yet I wonder if this is the problem with some congregations.
I wonder if occasionally this is a problem with our congregation.
We need to be people of humility so God can lift us up.
So God can work in us and through us in this community.
So that God can be willing followers of the Chief Shepherd by humbly submitting to our shepherds.
And finally a reminder to cast all our anxiety on God because he cares for us.
He wants us to walk with him because he cares for us!
Remember that!
Acts 15
Acts 15 gives us a look inside the only elders meeting in the New Testament.
Acts 15 shows the members, elders, and apostles wrestling with a monumental issue facing the early church.
We can all learn how to honor God by looking at this event.
Please pay attention to the use of the word “elder” in this passage, as well as the events themselves.
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