ELDERSHIP
FIGURE HEADS OR LEADERS
PART II
The Christian life is composed of us sacrificing ourselves daily upon the altar of service to God (Romans 12:1). We constantly watch our own hearts by renewing our minds and proving to the world what is the will of God (verse 2). There are so many good things that all Christians can do to reflect the glory of the Son of God in their lives. We often say that the work of the Lord is evangelism, edification and benevolence toward all. My good works then should fall into these areas as I strive to show the glory of the Lord to the world around me.
Paul speaks about the woman who could be supported out of the church treasury. She is a widow and has no one to support her. She must be at least 60 years of age (I Timothy 5:9). Now note what her life was to have been about. She raised children, lodged strangers, washed the saints feet, relieved the afflicted and diligently followed every good work (verse 10). All of these efforts concerned her activity outside of worship. It was what she had done with her daily life in serving the Lord. Her individual good works would stand out. The Lord describes Dorcas as being a woman full of good works and almsdeeds (Acts 9:36).
As individuals, then, we can do so much for the cause of Christ. Prayer and action on our part will show to the world Who it is that we serve daily (Romans 6:17,18). Such good works do not require me to obtain the permission from any one to do. If I prepare a dish, make a visit or send a note of encouragement, I do not need anyone’s permission to use my life in doing good works for the cause of my Lord. We are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus unto good works (Ephesians 2:10). All of us as Christians should always be seeking ways to do more good works with each passing day.
If, however, I move my good works to be something that the church will do, then I do need permission. As we studied last week, every person cannot decide what the church will do. God established a principle wherein godly men who are elders of the flock will see to the direction of the church. The success of their leadership demands that we as Christians go through them, not around them, to establish good works. If one argues, “that we do not need the elders’ permission”, then such a person needs to be instructed more clearly about the will of God.
Something may very well be a good work that any Christian can do. If, however, the church is called upon to so act in a given area, said good work must go through the eldership. Otherwise certain individuals decide what the church is going to do and the elders becoming nothing more that “figureheads”. When Korah led his rebellion against the established authority of Moses and Aaron, this was his thinking. He said about Moses, that Moses took “…too much upon you, seeing all the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the Lord is among them.” (Numbers 16:3). This attitude continues to both God’s people even now. The argument is not that the congregation is not holy but rather that the elders have the commission from God to direct the affairs of the church.
God revealed what kind of man he wanted to take care of the body of Christ in a local setting. It had to be a man who had demonstrated that he could rule his own house (I Timothy 3:4). Some men will never qualify for the eldership because their wives usurp authority over them in the home. Hence, if they became leaders among God’s people, their wives would run the church the same way they run their homes.
God needs MEN who are godly and understand what it takes to rule. It is never lording over God’s heritage (I Peter 5:3). Neither is it being so passive as to allow brethren to run the church by circumventing the eldership. It must be godly men with a vision of where they want the church to go. Likewise, it must be godly men who demand by virtue of the task of watching for souls, that the congregation come through them for all works which the church will engage in. Leaders or figureheads, that is both their choice and ours.