Special Study Outline

ELDERS IN THE CHURCH
I suppose there have been as many discussions on the subject of elders as any other topic among members of the churches of Christ. Most everyone in the church would have some opinion of elders and their work. Most brethren, if asked to define the role of an elder, would most likely rely on the portrait of the elders that they have been associated with through their church work. That may or may not be a fair assessment, depending on the type of men they have witnessed. Let’s allow the Bible to help us get the picture of what an elder is to be. I. ELDERS ARE TO LEAD THE FLOCK - “Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood” (Acts 20:28). Elders are to be shepherds and shepherds lead! Paul told these elders to shepherd the sheep. It does not say drive the sheep or be dictators of the sheep. Peter tells us in 1 Peter 5:3 that elders are NOT TO BE “lord’s over God’s heritage…” The role of elders was never to be “little gods” who dictated the sheep. Elders who know their role and most important know their Lord will not try to lead with the “iron fist” mentality. No member in the body of Christ should have to be subject to elders who treat them with “our way or the highway” thinking. The reason no member should tolerate such is because the “Chief Shepherd” Jesus never led that way and certainly would not condone such in His body today! II. ELDERS ARE TO LIVE IN FAITH - In 1 Peter 5 we are told that elders are to be ”examples to the flock” (v. 3). Here Peter describes for us men who, like Enoch and Noah of old, walk with God. There is no question about their trust in Jesus. It is readily seen in their conduct from those in and out of the church (1 Timothy 3:7). Men like this lead lives that they can recommend to those they lead. Although elders are men, and like all men are imperfect (a lesson some elders have never learned), they should set the tone for those they lead by being men who “walk by faith and not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7). III. ELDERS ARE TO LOVE FERVANTLY - When elders have a sincere love for the Lord and His church they will be God’s men. Those who love with the love of Jesus will never be guilty of poor or non-existent leadership. Their love will cause them to seek better ways to serve those they lead. Men who serve like Jesus will not seek to intimidate or dominate those they lead but will always be praying to be more like the Savior they serve. Godly elders will be available for their flock. Like Jesus they love enough to listen to the sheep (1 Peter 5:7). Like the Lord they love enough to be patient with the sheep (1 Peter 3:9). Like the Savior they love enough to receive the “undesirables” of the community (Matt. 9:9-13). And like the Master Shepherd they love so as to be patient with the weak in faith (Romans 14:1). God help us to cultivate men who lead the flock, live by faith and love with the fervent love of the Lord. For in doing so, the Church of the Lord Jesus will be richer, fuller and immensely blessed! Richard O'Connor

I suppose there have been as many discussions on the subject of elders as any other topic among members of the churches of Christ. Most everyone in the church would have some opinion of elders and their work. Most brethren, if asked to define the role of an elder, would most likely rely on the portrait of the elders that they have been associated with through their church work. That may or may not be a fair assessment, depending on the type of men they have witnessed. Let’s allow the Bible to help us get the picture of what an elder is to be.

I. ELDERS ARE TO LEAD THE FLOCK - “Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood” (Acts 20:28). Elders are to be shepherds and shepherds lead! Paul told these elders to shepherd the sheep. It does not say drive the sheep or be dictators of the sheep. Peter tells us in 1 Peter 5:3 that elders are NOT TO BE “lord’s over God’s heritage…” The role of elders was never to be “little gods” who dictated the sheep. Elders who know their role and most important know their Lord will not try to lead with the “iron fist” mentality. No member in the body of Christ should have to be subject to elders who treat them with “our way or the highway” thinking. The reason no member should tolerate such is because the “Chief Shepherd” Jesus never led that way and certainly would not condone such in His body today!

II. ELDERS ARE TO LIVE IN FAITH - In 1 Peter 5 we are told that elders are to be ”examples to the flock” (v. 3). Here Peter describes for us men who, like Enoch and Noah of old, walk with God. There is no question about their trust in Jesus. It is readily seen in their conduct from those in and out of the church (1 Timothy 3:7). Men like this lead lives that they can recommend to those they lead. Although elders are men, and like all men are imperfect (a lesson some elders have never learned), they should set the tone for those they lead by being men who “walk by faith and not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7).

III. ELDERS ARE TO LOVE FERVANTLY - When elders have a sincere love for the Lord and His church they will be God’s men. Those who love with the love of Jesus will never be guilty of poor or non-existent leadership. Their love will cause them to seek better ways to serve those they lead. Men who serve like Jesus will not seek to intimidate or dominate those they lead but will always be praying to be more like the Savior they serve. Godly elders will be available for their flock. Like Jesus they love enough to listen to the sheep (1 Peter 5:7). Like the Lord they love enough to be patient with the sheep (1 Peter 3:9). Like the Savior they love enough to receive the “undesirables” of the community (Matt. 9:9-13). And like the Master Shepherd they love so as to be patient with the weak in faith (Romans 14:1).

God help us to cultivate men who lead the flock, live by faith and love with the fervent love of the Lord. For in doing so, the Church of the Lord Jesus will be richer, fuller and immensely blessed!

Richard O'Connor