The Designation of Elders
In the March issue of Uplook we asked, “How does a person come to be recognized as an elder?” Unfortunately, the question appears to have been somewhat ambiguous. For instance, one contributor spoke of the qualifications of elders rather than their recognition. We must apologize for the lack of clarity. It was the public recognition or appointment of elders that we had in mind. Here are some points to which we should give some thought:
• If a person has an elder’s qualifications, is their eldership de facto and obvious to all? Perhaps it should be, but new believers who are unacquainted with scriptural principles will have more difficulty recognizing their leaders. They’ll want to know who they should turn to for help.
• When a new shepherd arises, how should he be integrated with those who are already serving?
• If there is not some way in which a qualified person is publicly recognized as an addition to the already existing group of elders, how can he function with any confidence or authority when a spiritual threat to the assembly arises?
We are, therefore, asking whether some way of designating elders is necessary and, if it is, how this might be done. If no formal method of recognition exists, how does an assembly deal with a person who asserts that he is an elder but is alone in his conviction?
The Desire of an Elder
The words “this is a true saying” precede the list of an overseer’s qualifications in 1 Timothy 2:7. The words parallel the Lord’s “Verily, verily” in the Gospel accounts, and emphasize the great importance of what immediately follows. The next words go straight to the heart of the would-be overseer, to what motivates him. “If a man desire…,” it says. Is it possible to desire a good work for a wrong reason? A person may outwardly possess all the qualities required by the passage, appearing to others to be blameless, to have things in order domestically, to be given to hospitality, etc., and yet be away from the Lord and without genuine concern for His sheep.
The first question that an aspiring elder should ask is, “Why am I wanting to take on this responsibility?” The demands that come with the job do not always deter the carnally ambitious, and a would-be elder can be so self-promoting that he is willing to make almost any sacrifice to gain the recognition he craves. So he gives attention to the outward performance of what is required, while ignoring the question of his motivation.
But how can a person discern his own thought processes? He cannot. “He that trusts in his own heart is a fool” (Prov. 28:26). We should be thankful, however, that the Lord has no difficulty reading and understanding hearts. He has promised to come to the aid of those who are sincere but nervous about serving Him because they know something of the “plague of their own hearts” (1 Ki. 8:38).
Assemblies are in desperate need of godly elders. We do not want to discourage any from facing the challenge and rich rewards of overseership, but first let all pray the words of Psalm 139:23-24, “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me and know my thoughts, and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”