THE WORK OF THE ELDERS: TENDING THE FLOCK OF GOD

Some of the world's greatest men-from God's point of view (and that is true greatness)-were shepherds: Abel, Jacob, Moses, David, Amos. This gave them an advantage in their outlook on life. They were flock-conscious. See Jacob with his little flock of men and women returning to the land of Israel or, later, moving southwards to Egypt: watch Moses as he leads God's people to the sea and beyond: follow David in his suffering or extremity when he remains thoughtful of the flock of Israel-"these sheep, what have they done ?" : and Amos, a prophet from the south, with the true shepherd's yearning longing to unite a divided kingdom by repentance-"the whole family which I brought up out of the land of Egypt."

Sheep need a shepherd. It is true that for some seasons of the year the mountain sheep enjoy an apparent freedom, but, in fact, in common with all sheep, they enjoy the overall protection of the flock-watcher. He sets them in sufficient pasture, defends them against living enemies and the adversities of severe weather, provides for their cleanliness and soothes their wounds, treats their sicknesses and, often at considerable discomfort to himself, looks after mother and young at lambing time.

It is against this background that certain members of each ecclesia should carry out their work of tending the flock of God. Yes, it is God's flock and they are part of it: though they are shepherds yet are they also sheep. Was not the Chief Shepherd also the Lamb of God ? Moreover, they should hold in constant memory the knowledge that they were once as sheep going astray, but now have returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of their souls.

When the first ecclesias were formed outside the land of Israel they would have been especially prone to all kinds of troubles had not the Lord Jesus Christ guided the apostles in their preaching and work to select and ordain elders in each city as they went on their way. Their task was infinitely more difficult than that which confronts most of us today-they had, as yet, no complete New Testament, idolatry was the standard religion, and the ways of life of the common people had not yet been influenced by some of the standards which are now accepted in most of the countries of western Europe. We should note, however, that though the elders were Spirit-guided men-at least for the most part-the principles of choice remain down to our own day. Let us look at them.

Elders and bishops were to be men of integrity, not self-willed, not given to anger, hospitable, lovers of good men, just, holy, temperate and holding fast the faithful word. It was such men that formed the eldership of the early churches. Is it so today ? Each ecclesia has a system of election whereby the elders are appointed for fixed periods of service. Do we make our choice on the basis of those divine principles ? We should. No other basis is acceptable. An astute business man, a go-ahead man or a man of substance forms no suitable ground for being an elder unless and until the word of God and the mind of the Lord Jesus Christ have affected him in the right way.

It is not easy to set down the work of an elder. We can begin by saying that the keyword is "Service". The arranging (or managing, as some of us call him) brother is not an office holder but rather a brother with an additional calling, an extra service. It is his work to see that the flock is fed and cared for. The flock does not belong to him and he has no authority of himself. He is an under-shepherd and should strive to follow the leadership of Christ.

An elder must be a man of faith, prayer and constant acquaintance with the word of God. An exhortation for elders is given by Paul who bidding farewell to the shepherds at Ephesus said: "I commend you to God and to the word of his grace." Let each such brother look to himself: is that my way of life ?

To be more specific concerning the duties of such brethren: it is their duty to sense the feeling of the ecclesia and to know its spirit. They should be aware of its health and sicknesses ; they should seek the welfare of the aged, the widows, the young in years and in the Truth. It should be their constant desire to see that the flock receives the word of sound doctrine and faithful exhortation. They should review this matter at regular intervals. Are the meetings providing the food necessary for true growth ? Is the public witness a faithful one ? Are we presenting the full gospel of God in our preaching? Paul could say: "I have not shunned to declare unto you the whole counsel of God."

Ecclesias consist of individuals. Individuals have peculiarities. It is the responsibility of the elders to see that no one brother dominates the affairs of the ecclesia, that no brother with personal eccentricities is allowed to disrupt the peace of the whole ecclesia, that the weak in faith are cared for and the wayward are sought and restored. The keen eye of a shepherd detects the restless and the offended, the falling and the causes of stumbling.

No shepherd wants to lose a sheep. No arranging brother should ever think in terms of excommunication until he personally has exercised every means of restoration. The spirit of the Lord Jesus Christ should be ever present when such matters are under consideration. All personal animosities and any personal affronts are to be set on one side. The Lord had no room for such feelings. Our spirit with all the wayward in doctrine and behaviour should be that, although reproof and rebuke are essential parts of true instruction, yet we lose such members only because they are not willing to be gathered under the wings of the Lord Jesus Christ. Treatment must match the circumstances of the case. Is there some underlying cause which makes this or that brother a thorn in the side of the ecclesia ? Has he deep troubles of his own which need care ? Is there a "history" to the case ? Is this the first time he has troubled us ? Has he been led away by stronger and more evil influences than his own ?

The elders are stewards of the monies of the ecclesia. They are to render an account of their stewardship. Let them consider the collection and disbursement of money as seriously as if it came from their own personal pockets. They should show by their own behaviour that it is more blessed to give than to receive and that they have coveted no man's silver or apparel. They should be leaders in good works and the last to take offence or to occasion injury to others.

A good arranging brother learns to keep a still tongue in a wise head. More harm is done by thoughtless gossip in our homes or in social contact in the ecclesia than can easily be measured. Our children should not learn from our lips the cares which the elders should carry nor should they inherit from us seeds for later dissension and strife. An elder should live always with the flock in mind. Let him not let the wolves of evil speech or ill-considered actions abroad among the lambs.

No shepherd should cause schism in the flock or show favour to parties and individuals. He is not to respect persons and least of all himself. He is to learn to work with his fellow elders in diligence (how many decisions are never carried out simply because the brethren concerned do not take the work in hand); he should be able to listen as well as speak: he should be able to bow graciously to the majority view but not be afraid to speak up when occasion demands it.

An elder should have a sense of community and corporate existence. He should in his reading and prayers, and weekly in the Bread and Wine, seek to preserve the fellowship of our Lord Jesus Christ. With this sense of purpose and dedication he may work until the Chief Shepherd shall appear when he may receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away. 