Appointing Elders In Every Town Series

One issue that is frequently distorted among the churches is adoption of the idea that elders are appointed to serve on a board—however, elders are to shepherd the flock. Each elder must be a capable pastor. There is no such creature as a “board elder” to be found in Scripture. Elders are servants of Christ, labouring collegially among the flock of God to provide pastoral oversight as they shepherd the flock of God.

You understand, of course, why the appointment of elders must not be hurried—verifying character takes time. Verifying teaching abilities requires time for assessment. The appointment process must not be reduced to a popularity contest; neither must the appointment be decided by credentials or even by pressure from outside the congregation. The appointment process requires careful consideration, constantly bathed in prayer as the elders seek the mind of God. If the appointing elders have invested time in the presence of God, the elders whom God has raised up will be apparent to the congregation.

This is what I find especially exciting: when a church is functioning as God intended—elders providing oversight and deacons conducting the benevolent ministries of the church—the cause of Christ is advanced. In such a church, the people of God are nourished and the community of outsiders observing the church will be confronted with the call to faith in the Risen Son of God. The assembly will discover intensified harmony and strength as they receive the ministries which God intended for His holy people. Who among us resents the salvation of the lost and the advance of God’s Kingdom? Indeed, we who are redeemed rejoice in the salvation of sinners and in the unity of the Spirit among us.

The appointment of elders is not an end in itself, but it is rather an ongoing requirement for the continued health and growth of the church. When elders have been appointed, they are responsible immediately to begin the process of preparing yet other men for future appointment as elders. This permits each member of the Body to focus on that ministry which the Spirit of God has entrusted to him or her, conducting that needed ministry so that the entire Body is made strong and therefore built up in the Faith.

The message today serves as a call for each member of the Body to begin to pray, earnestly asking that God will provide elders for us so that the cause of Christ may be advanced through us and so that we may prosper as a congregation. The message serves as a call for the people of God to seek the unity of the Faith, building one another and investing life and service in the Body so that the Name of the Lord our God will be magnified. It is a call for the people of God in sincerity to seek the blessing of God on this elder as he always endeavours to know the will of God and that he will courageously seek to do that divine will.

To those yet on the fringes of this great work, is it not time that you should unite with us? We call those who are Christians to come join us in this great work. The way in which we receive members is through confession of faith in Christ as Lord of life and obedience to Him in baptism following salvation. Why should you delay? If you are willing to confess Him as Lord, come identify with Him in the act of baptism as He commands. If you have never been baptised, come today requesting this identifying act commanded by the Risen Son of God. The congregation stands ready to receive you and we will assuredly rejoice with you in your commitment.