House Church - Simple, Strategic, Scriptural by Atkerson Steve

Author:Atkerson, Steve [Atkerson, Steve]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: New Testament Restoration Foundation
Published: 2008-03-02T16:00:00+00:00

10

The Ministry of Elders

It was argued earlier in this book that the ideal is government by the consensus of the whole congregation, and that churches should be elder-led more so than elder-ruled. If this really is the case, are elders really even needed in a church? What function do they serve?

Advantages of Having Elders

It would be a serious blunder to conclude that elders are unimportant to the life of a church. Paul warned that "fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock." (ESV, Ac 20:29). Some wolves are schismatic, others promote false doctrine, and still others practice immorality. Too often, house churches without qualified elders fall in a type of spiritual malaise. No one takes leadership responsibility. There is no ‘point man” to offer direction. Things just coast along. Discipleship is minimal. In many cases, it becomes a case of the blind the blind. Pooled ignorance in “teaching” becomes the norm. Evident sins are overlooked. Social problems are not dealt with. The church can become vulnerable to wolves in sheep’s’ clothing.

During the World War Two battle of Midway, a lone American air torpedo squadron (VT-8), from the aircraft carrier Hornet, attacked the Japanese invasion fleet. Tragically, the squadron was ordered to attack without fighter escort. Like the charge of the Light Brigade, it proved suicidal. Only one airman survived. Elders are to the church what the American fighter planes would have been to the bombers: protection. One important ministry that elders offer is defense against savage wolves. For instance, elders are men who can “refute” those who oppose sound doctrine (Tit 1:9).

The reality of the situation is that house churches are not yet mainstream in Western Christianity. As such, a house church is likely to attract every unattached heretic, rebel and social misfit in the county. Without elders willing to stand at the gate to intercept and deal with such persons, a house church is particularly vulnerable to abuse, strife, frustration, and even disbanding.

Besides fending off wolves, elders serve the body in many other ways. In many respects, a church without an elder is much like a family without a father. Qualified elders provide direction, teach, disciple, help the church achieve consensus, promote the saints’ growth into maturity, train future leaders, lead by example and guard the truth ( Ac 20:25-31, Ep 4:11-13, 1Ti 1:3, 3:4-5, 5:17, 6:20, 2Ti 1:13-14, 2:2, 15, 3:16-17, 4:2-4, Ti 1:9, 13, 2:15 and Heb 13:17). Church leaders are men of mature character who oversee, shepherd, teach, equip and coach. Every now and then they will need to call on the obstinate to submit to their leadership (Heb 13:17).

Elder-Led Congregational Consensus

One very important ministry elders provide is leadership. All are agreed that the Lord Jesus is the head of the church (Col 1:15-20). Thus, the church ultimately is a dictatorship (or theocracy) ruled by Christ through His written Word and the influence of the Holy Spirit (Jn 14:25-27; 16:12-15; Ac 2:42; Ep 2:19-22; 1Ti 3:14-15). Once we follow the organizational flow chart

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