Elders have a special and significant role of caring for the church. In 1 Peter 5:1-4, the apostle exhorted his “fellow-elders” to “shepherd the flock of God among you” in view of the appearing of “the Chief Shepherd.” As Christ cared for the church with sacrificial and personal care, so elders are to care for the church. Elders’ care for the church is emphasized in three ways.
The Designations of Elders Emphasize Care
Elders are described by two of the same terms used in reference to Jesus. In 1 Peter 2:25 Jesus is designated as “the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls.” According to Acts 20:28 and 1 Peter 5:2, elders are “shepherds.” Like Jesus, elders feed, tend, and otherwise provide for the flock of God’s people. According to Acts 20:28 and 1 Timothy 3:1-2, elders are also “guardians” or “overseers.” Elders care for, protect, and guide the church over which they are appointed. As Christ is “the Shepherd and Guardian,” so elders are shepherds and guardians. Both of these terms used to designate elders focus on the idea of caring.
The Qualifications of Elders Emphasize Care
If a man is qualified to be an elder, he is one who, among other things, “manages his own household well” (1 Timothy 3:4-5). The point Paul makes about this qualification is that a man’s ability to “manage” his own family demonstrates his ability to “take care of the church of God.” The word “care” here is the same word used in Luke 10:34-35 in regard to the Samaritan who “took care” of the half-dead victim by providing for his needs. It is also the word used in Luke 15:8 to describe the woman’s careful search for her lost coin. The word implies concern, providence, and diligence. The man who assumes the position of elder is to have the ability of managing and the quality of caring.
It is unfortunate that in many studies of the qualifications of elders that we miss the point of this qualification. The discussion often degenerates to the point that attention is focused on whether a man should have more than one child or of he does have more than one whether they should all be Christians. When this happens, we miss the focus of the qualification. A man is qualified to be an elder, at least along this line, if he demonstrates in his home-life, the ability of managing and the quality of caring.
The Responsibilities of Elders Emphasize Care
Among the many responsibilities assigned to elders, caring is certainly one of the most essential and important. In Acts 20:28, Paul charged elders to “be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock.” The word translated “guard” or “take heed” means to turn one’s mind to, to pay attention to, and so to be concerned about and to care for. Elders must do such “guarding” both with themselves and the entire flock.
The writer of Hebrews describes elders as those who “keep watch over your souls.” The word “watch” carries with it the idea of being awake and alert. In fact, in 2 Corinthians 11:27 the same word is translated “sleepless.” Elders have the responsibility of caring to the point of losing sleep. There is no doubt that many good and godly elders have spent many sleepless hours studying, thinking, and talking about the church. It is no wonder that these men are to be appreciated and esteemed “because of their work” (1 Thessalonians 5:12-13).
Notice that elders “keep watch over your souls.” This puts the work of elders on the level of each Christian. The work of elders is not so much with buildings and budgets as it is with people. Taking care of the meeting place and money spending are merely incidental to watching over souls. Churches everywhere are in need of leaders who do their work because they care deeply for Christ and for His people.
- Today, July 1985