Articles
The Church's Role Toward Elders
We have looked at the work of elders to the church. Now we want to look at the duty of the church to her elders. The church and the elders should work on having a loving and respectful relationship. This will contribute to having a happy and growing church. So, what is the duty of the church to her elders?
- The congregation has a role to recognize the elders. In 1 Thessalonians 5:12,13 Paul says, 12 And we urge you, brethren, to recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, 13 and to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. Be at peace among yourselves.The congregation has a responsibility to know those who are over them in the Lord. The word “know” in this verse has reference to recognizing and acknowledging. We are to “esteem” the elders, this means we give them respect and look up to them when they are faithfully serving.
- The congregation has a role to remember the elders. In Hebrews 13:7 we read, 7Remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct. The word “remember” has reference to being mindful with a mind to observe their directions and encouragement. We need to remember the elders because they are holding to the truth of the gospel. We need to remember them because they are trying to show us how to improve ourselves from the word of God.
- The congregation has a role to obey the elders. In Hebrews 13:17 God says, 17 Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.We obey the elders because they are looking out for our souls’ best interest. They are trying to get us to heaven. We need to remember that it is the eldership that is shepherding or guiding us. How easy it is to obey elders who has a genuine concern for your soul. If we really care about being right with God we will obey the elders.
- The congregation has a role to make the elders’ work as easy as possible. In Hebrews 13:17 we read, 17 Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you. A very good reason that we are to obey the elders is so that the can do their work with joy instead of grief. We will lift up their hands in the work of the Lord and not cause them to be sad by obeying them. We need to make it a point to make the elders’ work as easy as possible so that the whole church will be happy.
- The congregation has a role to follow the elder’s example. In Hebrews 13:7 God says, 7 Remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct. The elders should be living their lives in a way that the congregation should want to follow their example of faith. Godly elders desire to go to heaven and we should want to follow their example to want to go to heaven.
- The congregation has a role in trusting the elders. Let us remember 1 Timothy 5:19 which says, 19 Do not receive an accusation against an elder except from two or three witnesses. A complaint should not be allowed to stand against the eldersexcept with the testimony of two or three witnesses. We must trust our elders and not give attention to accusations which hold little substances of being true. When elders show themselves to be examples for the congregation to follow, we should trust their decisions are right because they are holding to the truth of the gospel.
- The congregation has a role to correct elders. In 1 Timothy 5:20 we read, 20 Those who are sinning rebuke in the presence of all, that the rest also may fear. This does not mean that any time an elder sins we have to publicly expose it, because it might just be a private sin. But if an elder sins publicly and brings reproach on the Lord and His church, that elder needs to be corrected publicly as any other member. If the elders are teaching {or allowing} false doctrine, they must be held accountable. This will strengthen the church.
- The congregation has a role to treat the elders equally. In 1 Timothy 5:21 Paul says, 21 I charge you before God and the Lord Jesus Christ and the elect angels that you observe these things without prejudice, doing nothing with partiality.We should never think or act like one of the elders is better, higher, or preferred above the others. We may take a concern or problem to one elder, but we must know that he will take it to the eldership for consideration. One elder cannot make the decisions for the congregation. ALL the elders are watching out for our souls, not just one of them.
Just as the elders have responsibilities to the local congregation, the local church has responsibilities to the elders. Let us continue to work TOGETHER in love and unity that the Lord’s church will continue to be happy and grow.
By Robert H. Martin
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