Just Temporary

by Lenny Chapman

In the Lord’s church it is of the utmost importance to follow the guidelines laid out within the pages of the inspired Word of God. Hopefully, congregations throughout the world recognize the awesome responsibility they have to keep the Lord’s church pure, and to be a beacon to those living in the world looking for hope and the answer to life. The key to fulfilling this responsibility is to understand that God’s Word is the ONLY place we find authority!

Let us consider what the scriptures say about the organization of the church. God is the almighty power and final word in all matters. In this age, He rules through Christ, (John 12:49-50). The Father has given Jesus all authority in heaven and in earth, (Mat. 28:18), and in the end Jesus will deliver the church to the Father, (1 Cor 15:24). Christ is the “Head” of the church, and because of His position of authority, we have no right to change what Christ has put into place through the apostles’ examples in the first century church. We must live under the ruling hand of Christ.

The scriptures also identify an earthly organization to be in place. It includes elders, deacons and preachers. Paul was wise to the importance of elders. He helped the younger congregations by ordaining elders in all congregations of the Lord’s church. In his letter to Titus, Paul wrote, “For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee” (Titus 1:5). “To set in order” means that without elders, things are “out of order.” A congregation operating without the oversight of elders is to be “Just Temporary.” There are many destructive things that can occur when qualified elders are not in place. Unfortunately, there are many local congregations operating without them. Instead they have the men of the local body trying to do the best they can with the daily business of the congregation.

The qualifications of elders have been detailed specifically and clearly, (1Tim. 3:1-7; Tit. 1:5-9), as these men must be able to submit themselves, including their own personal pride, to Christ. Sadly, there are congregations that will “lower the bar” and allow unqualified men to fill the office of an elder. They will overlook a thing or two so that the position is filled, possibly even think that the on-the-job training will help the man to develop quicker into the position. This idea does not work, and will always cause problems within the church!

Throughout the Lord’s church there is a shortage of men desiring the office and serving as elders. Because of this situation, the church becomes weak. Over the past years we have witnessed more congregations fall away from the Truth than grow more steadfast to the Truth. We watch groups of unqualified men try to work together and tend to the everyday business of the church. Instead of men sincere in their love of God, and desire to serve the Lord in all things, a group of unqualified men are in place taking liberties to serve their own agendas. Frustration and strife develop between the group, and instead of being able to “set aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us,” (Heb. 12:1), the true colors of the unqualified come into clear view as they hold grudges with one another for years, tearing down and dismantling the very foundation of Christianity. For Jesus said, “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another” (John 13:34-35).

A congregation without elders is to be just a temporary situation. In order for the church to operate as the scriptures teach, we must ordain elders in every congregation. First and foremost, these men must meet the qualifications set forth in the Bible. Elders are not made overnight, men must desire the office, and they must begin preparing for it years before it ever happens. Please talk to the young men in the church, help them to understand the need for elders. Encourage and support them to desire it, and to work toward the office of an elder.

 

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