Acts 14:21-25 (NIV)
21They preached the good news in that city and won a large
number of disciples. Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium
and Antioch, 22strengthening the disciples and encouraging
them to remain true to the faith. "We must go through
many hardships to enter the kingdom of God," they
said. 23Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in
each church
and, with prayer and fasting, committed them to the Lord,
in whom they had put their trust. 24After going through
Pisidia, they came into Pamphylia, 25and when they had
preached the
word in Perga, they went down to Attalia.
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This is a wonderful time of celebration and rejoicing here
at St. Timothy’s. Last week we started the new
Church year with the beginning of Sunday School and the
blessing
of our Teachers and Nursery Staff. Next week we celebrate
our 45th Anniversary with Gord Beaton preaching in a
service with lots of special things happening, followed
by a catered
lunch.
Today is no less special as we have baptized Jake and Max
and we will be receiving and ordaining new elders.
A number of months ago because of growth in our congregation
and the moving and illness of some Elders, the Session
decided to add to its number. The
congregation responded by electing six excellent and gifted people—Barry
Carr, Bill Coffin, Shirley Francois, Sandra Jeffery, Bill Maclean and
June Stevenson. Shortly they will be ordained and become official members
of the
Session.
Because of this I thought it would be a good time to talk
about the Eldership. I want to show the Elder's Scriptural
roots and help clarify what the Elder does in the modern
Presbyterian Church.
Our Scripture lesson this morning from Acts 14:21-25 tells
of a typical church planting done by the Apostle Paul and
his colleague Barnabas. These men were not church pastors.
They were evangelists who travelled all over the known world
preaching the Gospel of Christ. They started churches and,
once the churches were well established, Paul and Barnabas
moved on.
When it was time for them to leave they needed to be sure
that the Church would continue along a strong, straight
path. For this reason, whenever they left,
they appointed Elders to be responsible for the spiritual nurture and guidance
of the congregation. These Elders were the predecessors of today’s
elders.
The New Testament was written in Greek. The Greek word
for Elder is "presbyteros" from which we get the
word Presbyterian. It can be translated as Elder or Overseer.
And that is what the Elder is responsible for—the
spiritual oversight of the congregation.
Elders are mentioned throughout the New Testament by various
authors. We find them in the Book of Acts several times
as well as 1 Timothy, Titus, Hebrews, James, 1 Peter, 2 & 3
John and Revelation.
Their responsibilities were and are wide ranging.
Today, in the Presbyterian form of Church Government, the
Elders meet together as the Session. The Session is made
up of a Teaching Elder who is the Minister and Ruling Elders
who are the lay men and women elected to the office.
As in the time of Paul, the Elder's main responsibility is
spiritual oversight of the congregation.
The Session oversees Church programs, the Worship Service
and music, the Board of Managers and Church finances, the
use of the building, who is baptized and married—in
general the entire work and life of the Congregation.
The role of the Elder has two main components—leadership
and pastoral care.
1 Timothy tells of Elders preaching the Word.
Acts speaks of Elders joining the Apostles at a Church Council to plan policy.
Clearly Scripture speaks of Elders as leaders.
When the Protestant Reformation took place in the 16th Century,
the Reformers sought to distribute responsibility and power
to more than the clergy when At that time the Reformed tradition,
of which the Presbyterian Church is a part, went back to
the biblical concept of eldership.
From the time of Moses, when Elders were appointed to help
him, to the early Church, to the Reformation, to today,
Elders have been an important part of church leadership.
But this
leadership has never been something that’s to be
given as a reward for hard work or a sign of popularity
or a goal
for power hungry individuals.
A story is told of a young woman who wanted to go to college,
but her heart sank when she read the question on the application
that asked, "Are you a leader?" Being both honest
and conscientious, she wrote, "No," and returned
the application, expecting the worst.
To her surprise, she received this letter from the college: "Dear
Applicant: A study of the application forms reveals that
this year our college will have 1,452 new leaders. We are
accepting you because we feel it is imperative that they
have at least one follower”
(Adapted from S. I. McMillen, None of These Diseases)
Despite some people’s opinion of themselves, we can’t
all be leaders!
In the Church, leadership is a calling which comes from
God. It’s a calling to serve and care for Christ’s
people.
Those who become Elders take on a heavy burden and responsibility.
It’s given to those who have gifts of leadership
and/or pastoral care. The leadership and care provided
is to always
have a focus on the Lordship of Christ and the will of
God.
The Elders, then, aren’t to be considered an elite group. Being an Elder
doesn’t mean the person is a better person or a better Christian.
It does mean that leadership, discernment and spiritual maturity have been
detected.
God gives different gifts to different people. God doesn’t
rate one gift better than another. Each Christian is expected
to develop and use their own gifts—whatever the gifts
are and wherever people find themselves. Elders take on a
leadership role—not due to superiority but, like the
Shepherd image—out of service to the flock.
As leaders of congregations today, the Elder commits him
or herself to attending Church Services and Session Meetings
regularly.
Part of being a leader entails evaluating and promoting
programs of the congregation. Elders are called to lend their
support by their presence at various Church functions and
events.
There are times when the leadership is quiet and subtle.
There are other times, such as serving Communion, when the leadership is more
noticeable.
Generally, the Elder is to set an example in worship, work
and life.
It’s one of the responsibilities of leadership.
It isn’t easy.
The Elders therefore need your support—both in friendship
and prayer. In your prayers, please remember the Elders and
the work they face. They are leaders, called and ordained
through God's grace—seeking to serve God and you.
The other role of the elder is that of pastoral caregiver.
Each Elder is given a list of members and adherents whom
they are required to visit, support and nurture. When your
Elder comes for a visit, please welcome them. Be open to
their concern and care for you. Work with them to develop
a friendly, trusting relationship. Share your concerns and
your joys about the Church and life. You will find someone
who cares very much. Someone who comes to you in the name
of Christ, willing to do whatever they can do to be of help
and service.
It is my great privilege to meet with our Elders regularly and work with them
closely. I have found them to be an outstanding group of people who care
very deeply about Christ and His Church. We are most blessed by their wisdom,
concern and commitment to seek and do God's will.
Today we rejoice as we add to our numbers—provided
this sermon hasn't frightened them off.
I look forward to seeing our new Elders grow into their
calling. As we all grow together wonderful things can be
accomplished for our congregation and Christ's Church as
a whole.
I thank the congregation for their wise choices and I thank
God for each and every one of our elders—new and old—old,
of course, meaning experienced!
(1251)
©
The Rev. Dennis Cook, St. Timothy’s Presbyterian
Church, Ajax, ON, Canada
