The Encourager
“Elders - Edward O. Bragwell, Sr.”
Elders
Edward O. Bragwell Sr.
(May 28, 1936 – Sept 29, 2020)
Perhaps there is no greater need today among churches than to qualify and appoint elders to oversee them and their work. No church can reach its full potential until it reaches the point of having qualified men appointed as overseers (Titus 1:5). When appointed they should be respected for their work’s sake (1 Thess. 5:12-13). As Shepherds of the flock of God, they have an awesome responsibility (Heb. 13:17).
Having served as an elder in the past, I know firsthand some of the hard decisions that have to be made and the unjust criticism that often comes with the territory. I also know the joy of overseeing a flock who, for the most part, are humbly serving the Lord. My hat’s off to those elders who understand their God-given role of watching for souls and use their position accordingly.
However, elders are not gods or lords. They are men. They make mistakes, some trivial, but others serious. They should not be automatically followed unconditionally. Sometimes, they should be rightly rebuked for their sins (1 Tim. 5:19-20).
Local churches have been led into error by people blindly following an eldership because people believe that to “obey them that have the rule over you” means that they must follow the elders – no matter what. There is the unwritten rule in many congregations that the elders’ decisions must always be followed and respected – no questions asked. This conveniently takes the burden of studying and thinking for oneself and gives a convenient “out” if questioned about anything happening within the congregation – “it was the elders’ decision, and I respect the elders.”
Also, individuals and churches often make it their practice to honor without question or investigation any action that the elders of another congregation may take against a member. Folks, wake up. Elders are fallible. Sometimes, they can (wittingly or unwittingly) be harsh and unjust in some of their actions. To say the least, it is irresponsible to automatically accept the judgment of any group of fallible men and act upon it without asking for the basis for their judgment.
Any elders, worth the salt in their bread, will welcome any questions you might have about any decisions they make and will be willing to sit down and discuss the reasons for their decisions. Only those that rule as “lords it over God’s heritage” (1 Pet. 5:1-4) will tell you that they expect you to accept without question their decisions because they are “the elders.”
It is this “no questions asked” mentality that caused many congregations to adopt the unscriptural innovations of the past.
