Eldership Issues

December 2006

Assignment

1. Is it scriptural for one elder to serve?

2. Discuss the evangelists and elders role in Church Government

3. Do we have any other authorized role taught by the scriptures?

4. Titus 1:6 In regards to qualifications of an elder, What

constitutes “faithful children”

More than one but possibly not all?

All faithful while at home, but possibly not later in adult life?

5. If an elder’s wife dies, is he required or prohibited by his office to marry again?

6. Does “one wife” mean one living wife (at a time) thus prohibiting polygamy?

State of Elderships-California Lodi Fair Oaks El Cajon Stockton

64th. St. Yuba City Manteca Auburn

Elderships Today

Vulnerable Sometimes successful 1st generation Rarely successful 2nd generation

Elderships Today

No guarantee of strength and longevity if have an eldership Ephesus

Threats to our fellowship

Biblical Leadership is…

Not intended to bring problems to the congregations

Not intended to bring problems to the brotherhood

Biblical Leadership is Service with Responsibility Matt 20:25-27 25 But Jesus called them

unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. 26 But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; 27 And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant:

Biblical Leadership is

NOT from a passion for power But from a passion to serve

Faithful Men

2 Tim 2:2 And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.

Faithful Men Are not careless with the Lord’s church Are not careless with the Lord’s truths Are not thrill seekers needing a “feeling” Do not seek “smooth things” Love the brotherhood as a whole and seek

peace with all on a basis of truth Understand it is important to identify error

and stop it from spreading

Today’s congregations

Are perfectly organized for the exact results we are achieving.

We have worked hard to arrive where we are.

Offices in the Church

Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors (Elders), Teachers

Eph 4:11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers

Apostles, Prophets Eph 2: 20-22 20 And are built upon the foundation

of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; 21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: 22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

Eph 3:3-5 3 How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, 4 Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) 5 Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;

Evangelists Acts 21:8 And the next day we

that were of Paul's company departed, and came unto Caesarea: and we entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, which was one of the seven; and abode with him.

2 Timothy 4:5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.

Elders Acts 14:23 (This happened about 46-47 A.D.)

And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed.

Acts 15:2 When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question.

Acts 20:17 And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church.

Elders 1 Timothy 5:17 (This was written about 63-64 A.D.)

Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.

1 Timothy 5:19 Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses.

Titus 1:5 (This was written about 63-64 A.D.) For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee:

James 5:14 14 Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:

Elders 1 Peter 5:1 The elders which are among you I

exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed:

Philippians 1:1 (Introduces Bishop – a synonymous term) Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:

1 Timothy 3:1-2 1 This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. 2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;

Elders Titus 1:7 For a bishop (overseer) must be

blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre;

1 Timothy 4:14 (Introduces Presbytery – another synonymous term) Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery (older).

Eph. 4:11 – Pastors (shepherds)

Teachers Acts 13:1 Now there were in the church that was at

Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.

Rom 12:6-8 6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; 7 Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; 8 Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.

Teachers 1 Corinthians 12:28-29 28 And God hath set some

in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles?

Ephesians 4:11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

James 3:1 My brethren, be not many masters (teachers), knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.

Chief Men

Acts 15:22 Then pleased it the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren:

Christ’s Delegated Authority

Apostles with the authority of Christ to

Bind & LooseMatt 16:19

Prophets – Gift to edify, exhort, and comfort (1 Cor. 14:3)

And Reveal (Acts 13:1)

Other Positions of Responsibility

Elders Evangelists Teachers Deacons Chief Men

Organizational PatternGod the Father over all

1 Cor 11:3Jesus the

Head of the ChurchCol. 1:18

CongregationRuled by its own

Submissive Leadership

CongregationRuled by its own

SubmissiveLeadership

CongregationRuled by its own

SubmissiveLeadership

Church Organization & Goals

11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: 14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; 15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: 16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

Eph 4:11-16

Carried out through individuals who are part of a congregation of the Lord’s Church

Congregations w/ leadership

Congregations w/ leadership

Congregations w/ leadership

Congregations w/ leadership

Congregations w/ leadership

Evangelists

Local Congregation Organization

Leadership

Congregation

What we don’t need:Dysfunctional Leadership

Congregation

Elders or any Leadership Group

Us versus ThemThem versus Us

Local Congregation Organization

Congregation

Chief Men, Leading Men, Faithful Men (Elders, Evangelists, Teachers, Deacons, Wise Men)

Can One Elder Serve?

Congregation

Chief Men, Leading Men, Faithful Men, (Elders, Evangelists, Teachers, Deacons)

An Eldership is always at least two Elders

Examples One player from a basketball team is not

a team. One horse from a team of horses is not a

team.

However, they are something: One player is still a player One horse is still a horse

Evangelists and Elders Role in Church Government

Both can exist in the same congregation

Evangelists are authorized to cross congregational lines

An elder is not an elder if he moves to another congregation

An evangelist is one wherever he goes

Evangelists and Elders Role in Church Government

Evangelists can receive accusations against Elders (1 Tim 5:19)

Elders can receive accusations against Evangelists (Acts 15)

Evangelists assist congregations in ordaining Elders (Acts 6:3, Titus 1:5)

Elders assist congregations in ordaining Evangelists (1 Tim 4:14)

Elders within the congregations, Evangelists within the congregations and working between congregations

Congregations w/ leadership

Congregations w/ leadership

Congregations w/ leadership

Congregations w/ leadership

Congregations w/ leadership

Evangelists

Any other authorized role(s)?

Yes, Teachers, Chief Men, Leaders as previously discussed

Faithful Children

Must an Elder have children? Yes – he must.

How long are an Elder’s children an influence on his leadership?

Faithful – only to his father? Faithful – to God?

Faithful Children

An Elder qualifies for his office several ways:

An Elder qualifies individually and collectively within his family and collectively within the

congregation.

Faithful Children to their father? The reasoning goes something like this: My children

are in subjection to me ---Which is proven because they are not accused of riot or unruly---Therefore they are faithful children.

The word translated faith, “Pistos” can mean worthy of trust or one who is a believer in God. 1 Cor 4:2 Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.

It can be argued that the context demands a contrast between the well-behaved nature of an elder’s children with the reckless behavior of other children of pagans

However, the primary emphasis appears to be spiritual values exemplified in the family of the Elder

American Standard Version1:6 if any man is blameless, the husband of one wife, having children that believe, who are not accused of riot or unruly.

World English Bible1:6 if anyone is blameless, the husband of one wife, having children who believe, who are not accused of loose or unruly behavior.

Young's Literal Translation1:6 if any one is blameless, of one wife a husband, having children steadfast, not under accusation of riotous living or insubordinate --

Living Oracles: If anyone be without blame, the husband of one wife, having believing children, not accused of riotous living, not unruly.

Faithful means child of God… 1 Cor 9:5 Have we not power to lead about a sister, a

wife (a believing wife – NKJV, NAS), as well as other apostles, and as the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas?

1 Tim 5:16 If any man or woman that believeth have widows, let them relieve them, and let not the church be charged; that it may relieve them that are widows indeed.

1 Tim 4:10 For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe.

1 Tim 3:11 Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things.

How many must be faithful?

How many children does he have? How many children being unfaithful

does it take for him to have a child that does not fit the requirement?

How long must they be faithful?

When do my children cease to be my children?

When did Eli’s children cease to be an influence on his leadership (1 Sam. 2)?

When did Samuel’s children cease to be an influence on his leadership (1 Sam. 8)?

If an Elder’s wife dies -

Marriage is never required for a Christian.

Scriptural marriage is never forbidden for a Christian.

Does the new wife automatically qualify as a woman who is faithful in all things because she married an Elder (1 Tim. 3:11)?

One Wife A one-woman man The statement both prohibits

polygamy and commands marriage. Not married only once, not a first

marriage only, but married May have been married previously

and widowed May have been married previously

and scripturally divorced

Qualifying Events An Elder’s child misses worship out of

a sinful choice. Immediate or? An Elder presents false doctrine.

Immediate dismissal? An Elder dies, leaving only one.

Immediate dismissal of the other one? An Elder’s wife dies, immediate

dismissal?

Who has the right… If an Eldership ignores Evangelists who are

called by a congregation’s members to investigate a problem and conclude there are serious problems, does anyone care?

If Evangelists ignore Elderships who withdraw their recommendation of them to the brotherhood because of serious problems, does anyone care?

Submission is always voluntary in the Lord’s church. Acceptance of one another is conditional.

The time to prevent problems…

Is when you don’t have problems. Marriage preparation helps prevent

problems Elder preparation helps prevent

problems Evangelist preparation helps prevent

problems

Who are we anyway? Sound Teaching can help prevent many

problems and minimize the difficulty of handling problems when they arise.

If a young teacher suggests changing the Lord’s Supper, we sit him down and explain the truth to him, and if he doesn’t repent, he continues to sit.

What do we do when an Elder or Evangelist does the same thing?

What does “Must be” mean? 1 Timothy 3:2 & Titus 1:6 Third person singular active present,

used impersonally Is both used of one time events – John

3:7 And of on-going events – Matt 23:23 Thayer: Necessity in reference to

what is required to attain some end-(Acts 9:6)