Why Don’t We Have Elders?

By Earle H. West

Christians in many congregations are asking this question. Current statistics show that over half of U. S. congregations do not have elders. This condition exists despite the emphasis upon following the New Testament pattern and clear Biblical examples of elders in each congregation. (Titus 1:5; Acts 14:23) Why, then do congregations not have elders? The purpose of this article is to explore reasons for this situation, reasons based partly on observation and partly on inferences, in the hope that congregations will assess their condition and take steps to complete the things that are lacking.

No One Is Qualified

Probably the most common stated reason for not having elders is that "we don't have anyone qualified." If true, it is valid and biblical since scripture specifies the qualifications of those to be appointed. But how can such a situation exist even in old and large congregations? Were conditions so different in the first century that congregations could appoint elders quickly but that it cannot be done today? Some have answered "yes" to this question and have pointed to the possibility that miraculous spiritual gifts rendered men qualified, or that many new converts were mature men who had been synagogue leaders steeped in the Old Testament scriptures. There is some truth in both points, but more likely, these reasons provide a convenient excuse for a less than aggressive pursuit of Biblical church organization. It may also reflect a worldly atmosphere in which Christian men are not growing spiritually and have no desire to serve. The claim that none are qualified may be the publicly stated reason, but there are likely other more subtle, even unacknowledged reasons that should be explored.

Idealizing Biblical Qualifications

Idealizing the Biblical qualifications leads to the belief that "we don't have anyone qualified." The Biblical qualifications are intended to describe traits, as they exist in imperfect men, not as they exist in angels. In most congregations, men can be found who possess all the qualifications to a positive degree, that is, to a degree equal to or surpassing the congregational average and to whom the church can look as a reasonable example of each trait. Nitpickers can always find flaws. Peter once practiced dissimulation and racial discrimination at Antioch , yet was an elder. (Galatians 2:11-14; 1 Peter 5:1) The point is not to set aside Biblical qualifications, but to respect them enough to apply them in a realistic manner and as they must have been applied in the early church. Good men are rejected because someone with a long memory recalls an incident when a brother was angry, or impatient, or was in error about some Biblical issue. David Lipscomb commented on this point: "It is not blameworthy for a human being to err sometimes; it is for him to persist in the wrong. I have no doubt we have thousands of men... who are or may be the equals of Peter. . . When we dispense with the elders, we dispense with the work of God, and many Christians are in moral character the equals of Peter, or Paul, or John, or James, or Abraham, or Isaac, or Jacob. This fault-finding and depreciation of everybody else usually arises from undue exaltation of self. It is not a healthy state." (Questions and Answers, p. 149)

Loss of Power

Some members of a congregation may oppose the appointment of elders because for them it would mean a loss of power since they themselves would not be selected. It is interesting to note that congregations will contend that they have none qualified, yet will put the management of the church in the hands of persons admittedly unqualified as elders. The inconsistency is conveniently overlooked or unrealized. Sometimes preachers who "run" the congregation in the absence of elders may discourage the appointment of elders since they might then come "under" men less knowledgeable of scripture than they. Christian men who are successful and influential in the business or academic world may discourage appointment of elders if they themselves have not developed spiritually thus do not wish to be led by less successful and. influential men. These attitudes will often be quite real, but unrecognized and unacknowledged.

Misunderstanding the Work of Elders

Congregations may fear the appointment of elders because they misconstrue the role of elders and have known unfortunate situations of elder oversight. Bad examples abound of elders who, being lifted up in pride, have "lorded it over" (1 Peter 5:3) the congregation and have made arbitrary decisions without consulting the congregation. These instances understandably make congregations fearful of going through such traumas with the concomitant falling away of members, discouragement, loss of community influence, and loss of spiritual tone. It must be clearly understood that the work of elders is less that of dictating, and more shepherding, teaching, encouraging, setting an example, and...leading with consideration and humility.

Don't Rock the Boat

Some congregations have a history of strife or fear possible divisiveness during the selection process and prefer not to "rock the boat." Divisiveness can be avoided if the process is approached with appropriate study and prayer, and with determination to act only when it can be "with one accord," which is the New Testament model. Two Biblical passages emphasize the importance of respecting the opinions of each Christian (Romans 14:1; 1 Corinthians 8). The prin­ciples in these passages mean that congregational actions must not be merely majority rule, but rather consensus based on respect for each individual's conscience.

Members Don't Know Each Other

Some congregations are unable to appoint elders because they are a congregation of isolates or isolated cliques who do not know each other well enough to determine eldership qualifications. This will be a significant factor in very large congregations, but the average congregation is of such size that each member can know every other member if the desire exists. In political elections, the newspapers sometimes mention that "Snoopy" or "Donald Duck" or "Mickey Mouse" got some votes. A similar situation sometimes occurs when a congregation is asked to submit the names of men thought to be qualified as elders only to see the names of non-members, novices, or "nice looking" brothers who are totally unfitted. Such situations discourage consulting the congregation and may lead to the rejection of governance by elders.

What If We Make a Mistake?

This is often the final clincher to stop action. Naturally, such a possibility gives pause, since it is often thought that being without elders would be better than making a mistake in appointing the wrong people. However, one must also consider whether it is better to risk making a mistake in a serious effort to be Biblical, or to stick with a situation known to be unbiblical.

There are ways to minimize the possibility of mistakes. Paul warned Timothy not to "lay hands upon anyone too hastily." (1 Timothy 5:22 NAS) This suggests a slow, deliberate process in full knowledge of Biblical teaching, of the personalities involved, and of the nature of the work to be done. Another possibility would be to set a definite term of office at the end of which the new elders would be reevaluated and either reaffirmed or released. There is no definite Biblical teaching as to an elder's term of office, so congregations are free to use mature judgment. By setting a definite term, the congregation will always be able to correct any mistakes it has made.

Conclusion

The most frequently expressed reason for a congregation not to have elders is that no one is qualified. This may indeed be true in some circumstances, but other more subtle and unacknowledged reasons may underlie that reason. Congregations and individual members that are truly committed to the New Testament pattern of church organization and governances should engage in serious and extended reflection on their internal spiritual life with a view to identifying all the obvious and hidden obstacles to the appointment of elders. With enlightened self-understanding, progress can be. made toward the Biblical pattern of church governance. &

The Church of Christ

By Bob Myhan

The church of Christ is just that. It is the church that Christ promised to build (Matt. 16:13-18), to which He adds the saved (Acts 2:36-47), which He purchased with His own blood (Acts 20:28), which is His spiritual body (Eph. 1:22-23) and of which He is the head (Eph. 5:22-23). Nor was it an af­terthought. Rather, it was the primary focus of the eternal purpose. (Ephesians 3:1-12) &