ELDERS
Part 2
Decisions! Decisions! Decisions!
“This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work” (1 Tim. 3:1). Being an elder is great; it is just those touchy decisions that have to be made. Paul uses the phrase, “the office of a bishop.” The Greek word for bishop (in 1 Tim. 3:1) is “episcope” and is translated in Acts 20:28 as “overseers.” This carries with it the idea of superintendence. In other words the elders have the responsibility to superintend (to have or exercise the charge and oversight of: Webster’s Dictionary) which means they must make decisions.
There are generally two areas in which elders will make decisions. One is doctrinal. Those are the easy ones. The Bible gives us answers, clear cut, precise, undebatable; book, chapter and verse. Instrumental music is wrong and the scriptures reveal that. It is not opinion (even though some want to make it that) it’s scripture (Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16). When someone comes in and says, “I think we should have a service and use the instrument” the elders simply go the Bible and decide “NO!” Decision made.
The second area is in matters of opinion. There may be differences of opinion on a matter in the eldership. In most elderships when there is a matter of opinion that comes before the elders and there are differences, the policy, generally, is the majority rules and all elders accept that decision as the entire eldership. They present a solid front to the congregation. Any time a decision is made and an elder, who does not agree, goes out and says, “Well, the elders made that decision but I didn’t agree with it” should be dealt with. Remember this is opinion and not doctrine.
Elders strive to, but do not always, make the right decisions. Decisions will be right or wrong, good or bad, or wise or unwise. If the elders follow the dictates of the Bible, all doctrinal decisions will be right. In matters of opinion, options, expediency they will try to decide in the best interest of all involved after prayer, thought, counsel of others, and experience. It may be later when a decision can be deemed wise or unwise. Such things as hiring a preacher, purchasing an item, selecting a speaker for a meeting, deciding whether to support a certain missionary, etc.
The congregation has the obligation to support the eldership in their decisions as long as they do not violate the principles of the New Testament. The writer of Hebrews gives us this admonition, “Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you” (Heb. 13:17).
Continue to pray for the elders to make the right, wise and good decisions.
Larry