Who Chooses and Appoints Elders?
Once those within a local congregation fully understand the work and qualifications of New-Testament-church elders, the next task usually involves the appointment or ordination of men to this office. Several questions immediately surface. One often involves who is to be involved in selecting qualified men.
Some see this as the role of the local preacher. They usually base this belief on the Apostle Paul's instructions to Timothy and Titus, both gospel preachers. Paul told Titus, "For this reason I left you in Crete, that you should set in order the things that are lacking, and appoint elders in every city as I commanded you."
Others look to Acts 6 and the selection of men for nonelder duties as a model. There, the congregation chose the men, based on qualifications set forth by the twelve apostles. The apostles instructed the Jerusalem church, "Seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business." (Acts 6:3) The church selected and the apostles appointed.
Some see the appointment of additional elders as the responsibility of the existing elders.
While we have to admit that the Scriptures do not concretely set forth a precise logistical method for choosing and ordaining pastors, the strongest case today seems to favor full congregational involvement in the similitude of Acts 6. The preacher certainly will be greatly involved, from teaching about the qualifications and work to perhaps the actual presentation of the new elders as their work begins. But the evangelist may be much newer to the congregation than most other members and less knowledgeable about the true character of those being considered. He also may be quite young in both age and the faith and not best suited for making these judgments. If there are existing elders, they certainly should be helping the congregation make the selection, assuring that the process doesn't become a mere popularity contest but rather a selection based on Biblical criteria.
The congregation is obligated to honor and obey the selected overseers (Hebrews 13:7,17). Therefore, the congregation needs to be involved in the selection of men it feels it can follow and to whom it can defer in matters of faith and judgment.
Several of the qualifications for a bishop can best be assessed by a broader number of local saints, rather than by one preacher or a few existing elders. This approach also can help produce a stronger eldership. Elders may be tempted to select only those men who have personality types similar to theirs, avoiding men who might actually bring new strengths to the eldership.
Is There a Process to Be Used in Selecting Elders?
A thorough reading of the New Testament does not produce any inspired selection process. Therefore, it would seem that God left it up to the individual congregations to determine the methodology to use, so long as they choose men who possess the qualifications He ordained. The congregation's size and general demeanor will dictate the process particulars.
What follows is a general process that a number of congregations have found to be successful.
- Pass out forms to the congregation so that members can put forth the names of men they believe to be qualified. Ask that members speak to the prospective elder before submitting his name to be sure he is willing to serve and believes he is qualified. This will reduce or eliminate later embarrassing challenges to a candidate. Ask that forms be signed.
- Once all names are submitted and it is ascertained that these men are willing to serve, place their names before the congregation. Allow a designated time period (perhaps two to four weeks) for members to consider all these men and their qualifications for the office. You may choose to distribute additional forms on which members can note Scriptural objections to elder candidates. Signing of these forms is useful.
- If there are objections, you need to establish a process for determining their validity. Whether this is done by all the men in a business meeting or addressed in some other manner is probably best left to the local congregation. Some objections may require investigation. No man being considered for this important office should resent inquiries into his character and behavior.
- Once they identify qualified men, many congregations take a few minutes during an assembly to present them, appoint them, ordain them, or otherwise acknowledge the beginning of their service as elders. Many preachers view this as the ordaining work that Timothy and Titus did, as opposed to the actual selection.
Again, the process described above is merely a suggestion. A very small congregation may not need to use forms. A very large one might have to use a more complex process and involve several men in the collection of the information.
What is imperative is that the selection process does not become political, that it not be a popularity contest with a counting of ballots being the primary selection determiner.
While 100 percent agreement may not be possible, it certainly is the ideal.
Brotherly Love Should Overshadow the Entire Process
Be careful not to allow the members' objections to unfairly wound the brethren whose names have been put forward. This is the value of presenting objections on forms, with Scripture citations and such like, as opposed to an open forum where brethren bandy about their opinions of the selected candidates. When people are asked to write out their objections, they may give them more thought. When a person has to identify a Scriptural qualification not met, he/she is less likely to express mere opinion. But nothing makes the process work better than simple brotherly kindness and love.
Sometimes, after weeks or months of teaching and discussion about the need for elders, their qualifications, and the work they do, a congregation almost naturally sees the men who are ready for this work. The process flows with nearly unanimous consent. When this happens, it is a blessing for that congregation.
But other congregations, where knowledge of God's word and spiritual maturity vary greatly, may not have absorbed the teaching about elders, and some may present very secular ideas about who would be the best elders. When such conflicts arise, mature Christians need to be patient but firm in standing for a Scriptural approach to appointing overseers.
No group of potential elders will be individually identical. Each man will have areas of greater or lesser strength. The objective is not to find perfect men but men who meet the qualifications. Mainly, our judgments should be limited by what the Scriptures set forth.
The job of appointing elders can seem daunting, but with the Bible as our guide and brotherly love as the tempering factor, God's will can be done and a church duly organized and guided.
Next: The Work and Qualifications of Deacons
I hope you are keeping this series of articles. It can serve as an excellent aid to any study on the subject of elders and deacons. Brother Blackaby has supplied numerous Scriptures to support each of his conclusions. In addition, he's provided insight into the process involved in the local church's selection of qualified men.
Some of the information in this month's article concerning HOW the process works relates to matters of judgment. The Scriptures clearly present the elders' qualifications, work, and responsibilities and the members' accountabilities to those elders. But along the way God leaves some of the process--the selection method to employ--entirely up to the local church. Every member should pray and reflect soberly to ensure the choice of the best-qualified men to lead a flock of God's heritage. Unqualified men, and men who do not desire the office, inevitably bring problems to a local church. Pray that God will instill in today's young men the desire to become elders. Young men, begin preparing now for this most important labor of love. May their tribe increase! (KMG)