When The Elder Sins Series

If we are reluctant to confront fellow members of the assembly, despite knowing what Jesus taught, then our reluctance to accord such courtesy to elders has to be the stuff of legend! Even as I speak, throughout the nation there are church families having roast pastor for lunch. Some dear little saint of God is complaining even now, “He didn’t even shake my hand!” Another is grousing about some statement made during the message which didn’t quite set right with him. Another is whining because she didn’t get the recognition she imagined was her due.

I can remember a woman who assembled her posse because she didn’t agree with something I taught. She and her posse chose to confront me during a Sunday School class as I was teaching. I patiently pointed to the Scriptures in answer to her challenge, stating from the Word the basis for what I taught. Then, I asked her for the Scripture supporting her position. “That’s why I don’t like to talk to you,” she exclaimed! “You won’t listen to anybody!” Her posse agreed with her. Confronted by such irrational demands, I recalled the words of Luther. “Unless I shall be convinced by proofs from the Scriptures, or evident reason (for I trust neither Pope nor councils alone, since it is certain that they have very often erred and contradicted themselves), I am bound by the Scriptures which I have adduced and my conscience is bound to the words of God.” [2] Though Luther was resisting the efforts of the papal legate to recant what he had written, the stance applies to the whole teaching of the Word.

To be certain, an elder is responsible to live a holy and godly life. This is true for all Christians, just as Peter has written. “Maintain good conduct among the non-Christians, so that though they now malign you as wrongdoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God when he appears” [1 PETER 2:12 NET BIBLE]. Peter’s words echo those Paul penned to Titus, “Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us” [TITUS 2:7-8].

Did you notice the phrase, “except on the evidence of two or three witnesses?” I don’t wish to leave the impression that elders are untouchable—they must be held to account just as every other member of the assembly is to be held to account. They are to be shielded from unsubstantiated accusations, from rumour and from innuendo; however, they are not to be shielded from the consequences of their own actions. That has happened too often in the course of church life during the past several decades.

If there are multiple witnesses to the behaviour and/or teaching that is errant, let them come forward and press the charge. This is an apostolic application of conditions set under the Law. Moses had written, “A single witness shall not suffice against a person for any crime or for any wrong in connection with any offense that he has committed. Only on the evidence of two witnesses or of three witnesses shall a charge be established” [DEUTERONOMY 19:15].