Elders and Deacons This morning we will ordain our newly elected elders and deacons. The word ordain means to set in order, to appoint. It has a religious connotation used to signify that certain people are set apart and designated to various tasks within the church: pastor, elder, deacon, etc. and days of remembrance. There are two considerations that we mention now. First, the church is a living community of those redeemed by the blood of Jesus. The world at large is looking at the church and especially the leaders within the church to either see examples of Jesus or to find a means to denigrate the church. We have seen church leaders who have failed to build up the body of Christ and the world is quick to point out the hypocrisy. The second consideration is one we learn from the parable of the sower as found in Matthew the 13 th chapter. Satan will sow evil people among the good within the church and God will clean it up at the proper time. Having said these things, we will briefly look at the Bible as we examine the people and office of elder and deacon. We will also look at our collective responsibility help ensure the right leaders are in place and we acknowledge them as leaders of the body of Christ. We will first look at the office of elder. How are elders chosen? Is it a lottery or a dart board? In Acts the 14 th chapter, we read about Paul on his first missionary journey. He had been to various cities and made many converts. In the 21 st verse we begin to read about elders. 1
After they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying, Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God. When they had appointed elders for them in every church, having prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed. (Acts 14:21-23 NASB) The choice of elders is tied to prayed with fasting. Any decision about the leaders of the local congregation should always be made prayerfully. The Bible reveals the traits and attributes that to be found in these people whom we select and ordain to leadership positions. Paul wrote to Timothy and laid out the qualifications as we see in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 It is a trustworthy statement: if any man aspires to the office of overseer (Or bishop), it is a fine work he desires to do. An (Lit. The) overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, prudent, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not addicted to wine or (Lit. not) pugnacious, but gentle, peaceable, free from the love of money. He must be one who manages his own household well, keeping his children under control with all dignity (but if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of the church of God?), and not a new convert, so that he will not become conceited and fall into the condemnation incurred by the devil (Lit. of the devil). And he must have a good reputation with those outside the church, so that he will not fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. (1 Timothy 3:1-7 NASB) 2
From this reading, we may see the attributes and qualities we should see in our elders. We also begin to see some of their duties. They must exercise government and discipline, and take oversight not only of the spiritual interests of the congregation, but also the church in general. They should visit the people at their homes, especially the sick. They should instruct those who lack knowledge, comfort the mourner, nourish and guard the children of the church. They should set a worthy example to the flock entrusted to their care by their zeal to evangelize the unconverted and make disciples. In reality, there is nothing listed that is not worthy qualities for all members of the body of Christ. In addition to the information we see here, we locally include a duration of previous service which allows for the current leadership to help ensure the maturity and soundness of those whom will be called to lead. Serving as an elder is a solemn duty. It is one that should be prayerfully accepted and discharged. The elders are considered as the spiritual overseers of the flock of Christ. We find this in Acts the 20 th chapter. Paul arrived in Miletus and sent for the elders from Ephesus. He then gives them this charge: Be on guard for yourselves and for 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 NASB) We will now look at the office of deacon. The first mention of this office is found early in the life of the church. Let s look at the first seven verses of Acts the 6 th chapter. 3
Now at this time (Lit. In these days) while the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint arose on the part of the Hellenistic Jews (Jews who had adopted Greek language and/or culture) against the native Hebrews, because their widows were being overlooked in the daily serving of food. So, the twelve summoned the congregation of the disciples and said, It is not desirable for us to neglect the word of God in order to serve tables. Therefore, brethren, select from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may put in charge of this task. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry (or service) of the word. The statement found approval with the whole congregation; and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas and Nicolas, a proselyte (a Gentile convert to Judaism) from Antioch. And these they brought before the apostles; and after praying, they laid their hands on them. The word of God kept on spreading; and the number of the disciples continued to increase greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were becoming obedient to the faith. (Acts 6:1-7 NASB) In the earliest days of the church, the apostles led the church at Jerusalem. Eventually it was necessary for them to delegate some of their responsibilities to other mature Christian men. That enabled the apostles to concentrate on prayer and teaching, while the deacons concentrated on meeting the people s physical and material needs. We find the qualifications of a deacon also in 1Timoty the 3 rd chapter just after the section on elders. So, lets read in 1 Timothy 3 beginning in verse 8. 4
Deacons likewise must be men of dignity, not double-tongued (or given to double talk), or (Lit. not) addicted to much wine or (Lit. not) fond of sordid gain, but holding to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. These men must also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons if they are beyond reproach. Women (i.e. deacon s wives or deaconesses) must likewise be dignified, not malicious gossips, but temperate, faithful in all things. Deacons must be husbands of only one wife, and good managers of (Lit. manage well) their children and their own households. For those who have served well as deacons obtain for themselves a high (Lit. good) standing and great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus. (1 Timothy 3:8-13 NASB) We saw the job requirements found in Acts the 6 th chapter and matching them with the qualifications we see that deacons should minister to those who are in need, to the sick, to the friendless, and to any who may be in distress. It is their duty also to develop the grace of liberality in the members of the church, to devise effective methods of collecting the gifts of the people, and to distribute these gifts to the people or agencies for which they were contributed. They shall have the care of the property of the congregation, both real and personal, and shall keep in proper repair the church building and other buildings belonging to the congregation. In short, deacons take care of the daily administration of the material side of the church. Again, our congregation has guides that help us to ensure that deacons are mature enough to accept these duties. There are guides within the governance of our congregation to define the scope of responsibilities. Finally, while we have reviewed things that pertain to elders and deacons, we will now turn our attention to the congregation. We look to and expect the leaders of 5
the church to teach sound doctrine and to help us to understand how that doctrine is applied to our daily lives. The congregation is the object of the leaders ministry. In Ephesians the 4 th chapter we read: And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evanelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; (Ephesians 4:11-12 NASB) Perhaps someday as a result of that ministry, members of this church will become deacons, elders, or even missionaries and pastors. We all start at the same point somewhere in the congregation. Those who are faithful with small tasks can be entrusted with larger responsibilities. Each of us has a role within the church and the sole purpose of our role is the building up of the body of Christ. The writer of Hebrews shares some insight into a well-ordered church. In Hebrews the 3 rd chapter, we read: Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name (Lit. confess His name). And do not neglect doing good and sharing, for with such sacrifices God is pleased. Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account. Let (Lit. in order that they may do this) them do this with joy and not with grief (Lit. groaning), for this would be unprofitable for you. (Hebrews 13:15-17 NASB) With the understanding that the leaders whom are in place are led by the Spirit, the members of the congregation are to obey them because they are ministering on behalf of Christ shepherd in His pastures. 6
I thank God for the godly leaders He has called and brought forward to serve as elders and deacons in this church. Let me assure you that God has raised up excellent and godly people to serve Him as officers here at Bath Christian Church. Will you pray that God would use them to serve him faithfully as Christ builds this church for his glory? And will you also pray that God help you and every member of the Bath Christian Church to keep in step with the Spirit and be faithful and obedient to Jesus Christ? 7