Church Without Elders by Tom Thomas - HTML preview

INTRODUCTION

Leadership is a vitally important subject; it involves guidance, inducing one to follow a line of action by example and persuasion, acting as a chief, direction, governing, commanding. Therefore, when we speak of leadership, we speak of the act or state of direction or the state of governing. The subject of leadership is recognized in every aspect of life. When one travels to a foreign land, they need a guide. In military affairs, nothing is more important than having a great leader. The leader in affairs of the government is one of the main factors of success. If such leadership in the earthly life is of such great importance, is it not of much greater importance in the spiritual life. In the earthly life, we may be led in the wrong direction, and after many failures may succeed.

Our leader must be one that understands the way in which we travel. Look at Matthew 15:14. “Let Them Alone: They Are Blind Guides. And If the Blind Guide the Blind, Both Shall Fall into a Pit.” Going back to the Old Testament one can see that man cannot direct his own footsteps. Jeremiah 10:23 states: “O Lord, I Know That the Way of Man Is Not in Himself: it Is Not in Man That Walketh to Direct His Steps.” There is so much at stake for our spiritual life that we should be willing and anxious to search diligently to find a qualified leader.

While leadership styles vary in secular organizations, God has clearly outlined a style of leadership for our spiritual life which should characterize each local congregation of his Church. Church leadership is much more than just managing the business affairs of the church. It demands courage and spiritual vision. Most importantly, it demands that Gods goals be achieved. The church today needs true leaders, one’s that will lead us down the path that leads to heaven.

OLD TESTAMENT CONCEPTS OF A LEADER

With a proper understanding of Old Testament Hebrew words that point to the New Testament Greek words we can understand God’s plan for leadership in the church. They also will give us an understanding of God’s plan for the leadership of man throughout life.

Let us all remember that the Old Testament is a shadow of the things that were to come.

The basic thoughts for these words are from Goebel Music’s book entitled: Efficient Leadership in the Church. (Strong’s reference number in parentheses.) THE CONCEPT OF A WATCHMAN

1. Shamar(8104) - to hedge about, i.e., guard; to protect, attend to - beware be circumspect, take heed (to self), keep, mark, look narrowly, observe, preserve, regard, reserve, save, sure, wait, watch. Used about seven times.

Isaiah 62:6

Ch. 2 Pg. 2

“I have set watchmen upon thy walls, O Jerusalem, which shall never hold their peace day nor night: ye that make mention of the LORD, keep not silence.”

Psalms 127:1

“Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.”

Jeremiah 51:12

“Set up the standard upon the walls of Babylon, make the watch strong, set up the watchmen, prepare the ambushes: for the LORD hath both devised and done that which he spake against the inhabitants of Babylon”

2. Tsaphah(6822) - to lean forward, i.e., to peer into the distance, by implication - to observe await lay hold, espy, look up, wait for keep the watch. Used about 20 times.

2 Samuel 18:24-27

“And David sat between the two gates: and the watchman went up to the roof over the gate unto the wall, and lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold a man running alone. And the watchman cried, and told the king. And the king said, If he be alone, there is tidings in his mouth. And he came apace, and drew near. And the watchman saw another man running: and the watchman called unto the porter, and said, Behold another man running alone. And the king said, He also bringeth tidings. And the watchman said, Me thinketh the running of the foremost is like the running of Ahimaaz the son of Zadok. And the king said, He is a good man, and cometh with good tidings.”

Jeremiah 6:16-17

“Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein. Also I set watchmen over you, saying, Hearken to the sound of the trumpet.

But they said, We will not hearken.”

Ezekiel 33:2, 6-7

(2) “Son of man, speak to the children of thy people, and say unto them, When I bring the sword upon a land, if the people of the land take a man of their coasts, and set him for their watchman:”

(6-7) “But if the watchman see the sword come, and blow not the trumpet, and the people be not warned; if the sword come, and take any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at the watchman's hand. So thou, O son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore thou shalt hear the word at my mouth, and warn them from me.”

Ch. 2 Pg. 3

3. Natsar(5341) - a primary root; to guard, in a good sense (to protect, maintain, obey) or a bad sense (to conceal) - besieged, hidden thing, keep, monument, observe, preserve®, watcher. Used about three times.

2 Kings 17:9

“And the children of Israel did secretly those things that were not right against the LORD

their God, and they built them high places in all their cities, from the tower of the watchmen to the fenced city.”

2 Kings 18:8

“He smote the Philistines, even unto Gaza, and the borders thereof, from the tower of the watchmen to the fenced city.”

In the New Testament we find several Greek words that have the same concept of the watchman. It is critical that we know how the meaning applies to the leadership of the church.

1. Agrupneo(69) - to be sleepless, i.e., keep awake - watch.

Hebrews 13:17

“Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.”

Mark 13:33

“Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.”

Luke 21:36

“Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.”

2. Gregoreuo(1127) - to keep awake -, i.e., watch (ful), be vigilant, wake.

Acts 20:28-31

“Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.”

As one reads these passages it should be apparent that those who are given watch over you must take the lead in preventing any danger, whether it is physical or spiritual, from happening to you. Being a watchman was certainly a dangerous job. The watchman was worked in a tower on the walls of the city to look out for invading enemies. The concept of the watchman goes back to early Hebrew/Egyptian history. As the children of Israel left Egypt, the night was divided into different watches (Exodus 14:24). Whether we go to the Old Testament or the New Testament, we have been given a great concept of the watchman.

Ch. 2 Pg. 4

THE CONCEPT OF A SHEPHERD

Perhaps the concept of a shepherd is one that more familiar to us. The Old Testament gives insight to this concept.

1. Raah(7462) - to tend a flock, i.e., pasture it.

Ezekiel 34:1-10

“And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD unto the shepherds; Woe be to the shepherds of Israel that do feed themselves! should not the shepherds feed the flocks? Ye eat the fat, and ye clothe you with the wool, ye kill them that are fed: but ye feed not the flock. The diseased have ye not strengthened, neither have ye healed that which was sick, neither have ye bound up that which was broken, neither have ye brought again that which was driven away, neither have ye sought that which was lost; but with force and with cruelty have ye ruled them. And they were scattered, because there is no shepherd: and they became meat to all the beasts of the field, when they were scattered. My sheep wandered through all the mountains, and upon every high hill: yea, my flock was scattered upon all the face of the earth, and none did search or seek after them.

Therefore, ye shepherds, hear the word of the LORD; As I live, saith the Lord GOD, surely because my flock became a prey, and my flock became meat to every beast of the field, because there was no shepherd, neither did my shepherds search for my flock, but the shepherds fed themselves, and fed not my flock; Therefore, O ye shepherds, hear the word of the LORD; Thus saith 7the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against the shepherds; and I will require my flock at their hand, and cause them to cease from feeding the flock; neither shall the shepherds feed themselves any more; for I will deliver my flock from their mouth, that they may not be meat for them.”

From the New Testament we find a number of thoughts about the shepherd and his role.

1. Poimen(4166) - a shepherd, pastor. Used numerous times in conjunction with poimaino(4165) which means to tend as a shepherd.

John 10:1-15

“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers. This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them. Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more Ch. 2 Pg. 5

abundantly. I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep. I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.”

1 Peter 5:2

“Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind”

1 Timothy 3:4-5

“One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)”

Consider several traits of a shepherd, that are important as it relates to leadership.

1. He Knows Them (John 10:3, 27) - He knows their personality; by ability, by weakness, by needs, and by name he knows them. Truly, "he takes heed unto the flock" (Acts 20:28)(1)

2. He Is Faithful to The Flock (John 10:27;

Zechariah 11:17) - He takes heed, he is steadfast, keeps qualified, and corrects his own faults, as David did his (Psalms 51). He heeds his conduct at home, work, play, worship, and in his thinking.

3. He Feeds the Sheep (Jeremiah 3:15; Ezekiel 34:14; Isaiah 40:11) - "Feed" and

"tend" are from the same word, (poimaino)(Acts 20:28; 1 Peter 5:2; 1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:9; John 21:16). He sees whether the doctrine is true or false (Ephesians 4:11-14; Acts 15:22-31; 16:4-5). He teaches the truth to others (1 Timothy 3:1-2), exhorts in sound doctrine (Titus 1:7-9), convicts the gain-sayers and even preaches (1 Timothy 5:17-18) , better to have full time elders for some real pastoral work than assistant men in ‘ministerial' work), and he speaks the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15).

We perhaps need to remember that "feeding" is only a small part of his work (Acts 20:28-31); note Jeremiah 23:1-4, which, of course, may be a little weak in English.(3)

4. He Leads the Sheep (John 10:1-5) - He does this by being an example (1 Peter 5:2-3), be it in recreation, business (honest), family life, social life, worship, service, speech, personal deportment, and he should be the best example. Special decorum must be his (1 Peter 5:3, Greek, tupos , example), as the word means "the pattern in conformity to which a thing must be made." This is an essential element in the manner of executing their official duties. It is one of the specifications of the manner of taking the oversight. Their lives must be worthy of imitation (Hebrews 13:7; John 10:4), as he "leads," goes before them. We bring into play just here his "blameless reputation" (1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:7) and note the "example" found in such Ch. 2 Pg. 6

passages as 1 Timothy 4:12; Philippians 3:17; 2 Thessalonians 3:6-15; 1

Thessalonians 1:6-7; Titus 2:6-8. (4)

5. He Provides For the Sheep (Psalms 23) - He doctors the sick and the needy (Acts 11:27-30; James 5:14-15), restores the lost sheep (Galatians 6:1-2; Luke 15:3-5; James 5:19-20), and comforts the weak and sad sheep in times of sickness and death, thereby ministering to all the sheep (Ephesians 4:11 - 12). Yea, even in family crises.(5)

6. He Protects The Sheep (John 10:27-30; Psalms 23:5) - He does this work in two ways: (1) he watches (Hebrews 13:17; Acts 20:29-31), and (2) he guards (John 10:27-30). He is concerned about foes "without" and "within" (false teachers and schismatics). Elders are guardians and as such guard against worldliness, lukewarmness, divisions, etc.(6)

7. He Unites The Sheep (Hebrews 13:20-21; 1 Peter 2:25; John 10:16) - He sees that God's word and it alone is taught. A man is hired to build up, not tear down (2

Corinthians 13:10). This man is impartial, he refuses to gossip, gets along with the members and tries to perfect the saints.(7)

THE CONCEPT OF ELDER

This concept is used in a variety of ways, both in the Old and New Testaments. Some of the New Testament words refer back to the Old Testaments.

1. Zaqen(2205) - of older men or heads of families in Israel who exercised a patriarchal government over their posterity.

Exodus 4:29

“And Moses and Aaron went and gathered together all the elders of the children of Israel”

Exodus 19:7

“And Moses came and called for the elders of the people, and laid before their faces all these words which the LORD commanded him”

2. Presbuteros(4245)(NT) - members of the Sanhedrin, consisting of chief priests, elders and scribes, learned in Jewish law.

Matthew 16:21

“From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.”

Matthew 26:47

“And while he yet spake, lo, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and elders of the people.”

The word elder also makes reference to those who managed public affairs in the various cities (Luke 7:3)and among the Gentiles, rank or positions of responsibility (Genesis 50:7; Numbers 22:7) The word "elder" often means older (Luke 15:25) or the eldest (John 8:9).

Ch. 2 Pg. 7

Therefore referring to a person advanced in life (Acts 2:17). In Hebrews 11:2 the "elders"

are the forefathers in Israel.

THE CONCEPT OF RULER

The thought found in "overseership" is that of ruling. It means to set or place over, to be over, superintend, to preside over. There are two words so translated from the Greek.

1. Proistamenos(4291) - to rule, are over you, rule well Romans 12:8

“Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.”

1Thessalonians 5:12

“And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you.”

1 Timothy 5:17

“Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.”

2 . Hegemoneuo(2230) - to lead, to rule, to go before, be a leader, to command, to have authority over, controlling the counsel

Hebrews 13:7, 17, 24

(7) “Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation”

(17) “Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.”

(24) “Salute all them that have the rule over you, and all the saints. They of Italy salute you.”

THE CONCEPT OF OVERSEER

Directly related to the concept of a ruler is that of an overseer.

1. Paqad(6485) - to make or be inspected, to be overlooked.

Genesis 39:4-5

“And Joseph found grace in his sight, and he served him: and he made him overseer over his house, and all that he had he put into his hand. And it came to pass from the time that he had made him overseer in his house, and over all that he had, that the LORD.”

Nehemiah 11:9

“And Joel the son of Zichri was their overseer: and Judah the son of Senuah was second over the city”

2 Chronicles 31:13

“And Jehiel, and Azaziah, and Nahath, and Asahel, and Jerimoth, and Jozabad, and Eliel, and Ismachiah, and Mahath, and Benaiah, were overseers under the hand of Cononiah and Ch. 2 Pg. 8

Shimei his brother, at the commandment of Hezekiah the king, and Azariah the ruler of the house of God.”

2. Episkope(1984)(NT) - to look upon. In usage it conveys the idea of looking upon with a view to inspection or control.

THE CONCEPT OF STEWARD

The Hebrew expression haish asher al used to mean the man who is over is used in Genesis 43:19.

“And they came near to the steward of Joseph's house, and they communed with him at the door of the house”

The Hebrew expression asher al bayith means who is over a house and is used in Genesis 44:4.

“And when they were gone out of the city, and not yet far off, Joseph said unto his steward, Up, follow after the men; and when thou dost overtake them, say unto them, Wherefore have ye rewarded evil for good?”

In New Testament Greek we have the word oikonomos(3623) , and it is translated steward in:

Titus 1:7

“For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre”

This verse informs us that an elder is a person who is entrusted with the goods of another, as that is the very meaning of the term.

THE CONCEPT OF TEACHER

One who wishes to lead must be able to teach those who follow.

1. Lamad(3925) - to teach, teacher, or to instruct Psalms 119:99

“I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation.”

Deuteronomy 4:10

“Specially the day that thou stoodest before the LORD thy God in Horeb, when the LORD

said unto me, Gather me the people together, and I will make them hear my words, that they may learn to fear me all the days that they shall live upon the earth, and that they may teach their children.”

Ezra 7:10

“For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments.”

2. Didaskalos(1320) - an instructor, doctor, master or teacher Ephesians 4:11

“And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers”

Ch. 2 Pg. 9

This is a qualification as found in 1 Timothy 3:2, referring to one who is apt and skillful in teaching. This qualification refers to one who is capable of instructing, publicly and privately. He must know the truth (Acts 20:28), and he must be able to, by sound doctrine, teaching, both exhort and convict the gainsayers (Titus 1:9). Being able to teach necessarily implies the duty of teaching. An individual can never lead unless they also know how to be a teacher.

GOOD EXAMPLES OF LEADERS IN THE BIBLE

As one studies the Old and New Testaments they will find that God has given examples of good leadership. Three such men come readily to mind when looking for examples of good leadership.

MOSES

Moses is mentioned in the New Testament more than any other Old Testament character, therefore making him worthy of consideration. As we study his characteristics, we learn of some great principles of a good leader.

1. Desire - Moses was willing to take upon himself the role of leading the children of Israel. His interest is first shown in Exodus 2:11 - “And it came to pass in those days, when Moses was grown, that he went out unto his brethren, and looked on their burdens: and he spied an Egyptian smiting an Hebrew, one of his brethren.” Stephen shows the importance of this passage in Acts 7:25 - “For he supposed his brethren would have understood how that God by his hand would deliver them: but they understood not.”

2. Trained - Moses was actually trained for 80 years prior to taking the leadership role of the children of Israel. His first training took place in Egypt, then in Midian.

His training shows the importance of training our young people at an early age.

Notice Acts 7:22 - “And Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and in deeds.”

3. Courageous - Moses was a man of great courage. His greatest challenge would be to face Pharaoh and ask him to say “Let my people go.” In Exodus 3:11, Moses realizes the great task set before him, “And Moses said unto God, Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt?“ God in the next verse simply says I will be with you. “And he said, Certainly I will be with thee; and this shall be a token unto thee, that I have sent thee: When thou hast brought forth the people out of Egypt, ye shall serve God upon this mountain.” (Exodus 3:12)

4. Meek - At first glance this may seem contradictory to being courageous. Many people equate meekness with cowardice or being timid. Notice Numbers 12:3 -

“Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth.” Moses’ meekness came from a genuine concern for the salvation of the children of Israel.

Ch. 2 Pg. 10

5. Delegated Responsibility - A leader is to lead, not do everything himself. Moses took the advice from his father-in-law, Jethro. Notice Exodus 18:25-26 - “And Moses chose able men out of all Israel, and made them heads over the people, rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens. And they judged the people at all seasons: the hard causes they brought unto Moses, but every small matter they judged themselves.”

6. Cooperative - A man who is not willing to cooperate with others and feels he must do it all will never delegate responsibility to others. Moses showed this trait in Exodus 17 when he delegated the leadership role to Joshua during the battle with the Amalekites.

7. Just - Moses was very concerned with justice. Notice Deuteronomy 1:16-17 -

“And I charged your judges at that time, saying, Hear the causes between your brethren, and judge righteously between every man and his brother, and the stranger that is with him. Ye shall not respect persons in judgment; but ye shall hear the small as well as the great; ye shall not be afraid of the face of man; for the judgment is God's: and the cause that is too hard for you, bring it unto me, and I will hear it.”

Moses realized that God is a just God and, thus, demands justice from man.

8. Caring - Moses cared greatly for the people he was leading. This is first seen when he went out and saw the Egyptian smiting the Hebrew. His concern showed when he slew the Egyptian. Maybe even a greater example is found in Exodus 32:9-14. It is here after the golden calf was made, that Moses interceded for the people.

Good leaders must show the same care for those they lead.

9. Humble - Moses displayed great humility at the time God called him in Exodus 3-4. It was here that he humbled himself to God