Is it possible that we have chocked and pushed aside the leadership of the church? Observe the following: Entering the building one of the first things one noticed was the minister’s picture and name. Under it was the pictures and name of the staff and under that was the pictures of the members. Down the hall was another picture board with the names of the elders. The immediate thought was what an illustration of how the elders have been pushed aside to a scarcely visible position in the church! Friends, this is quite different from the New Testament plan and pattern of God’s leaders.

             The Sacred Scriptures speak to the fact: “This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work” (1 Tim. 3:1). Within the pages of Holy Writ there are three Greek terms that set forth six English terms relating to God’s organization of His church. Presbuteros is translated as elder and presbyter. Poimen is translated as pastor or shepherd. Episkopos is translated as bishop or overseer. Note these six terms: bishops/overseer; elders/presbyter; pastors/ shepherds, as they are grouped together. It greatly aids one studying the Bible to grasp what the function is as it relates to the elders. The function of this group of men is extremely important, especially as it relates to the guidance and growth of the church. There is no single factor more important in determining the growth of a congregation than the quality of the men who are chosen as its elders! By their knowledge of Jehovah’s Word, their consecration, their vision, their mission, etc., they largely determine the future guidance and growth of the local congregation.

             Thus, they are God’s men, chosen, selected by the congregation which is “to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you” (1 The. 5:12), and “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.... 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” (Heb. 13:7, 17).

             These men are to lead the congregation by being elders and presbyters which indicate spiritual age and judgment. In regards to bishops and overseers the work involves superintending and overseeing the local church, which they do by seeing over (overseeing) the local flock. With reference to pastors and shepherds they feed or nourish by tending the flock. Therefore, the emphasis is upon these leaders as being in charge of pastoral care. Robert Taylor observed:

Palestinian shepherds loved their sheep, extended the fullest protection over them and gently led them to pastures of green, nourishing grass and to sparkling streams of refreshing water. Jehovah’s shepherds over his local congregations must love deeply the flock committed to their care, must protect them from any and all error, must feed them with the bread of life and quench their spiritual thirst with the water of life (Robert Taylor, Jr., The Elder And His Work, Lambert Book House, 1978, p. 42).

             Hence, one should be able to discern that God’s leaders (as discussed in this lesson) have a solemn responsibility to the flock of God. In the lessons to come we will discuss the qualities that must prevail.

A Spiritual Heart

             The challenges facing the church are both thrilling and frightening. They are thrilling because of the vastness of the fields of opportunity and the almost unlimited resources which can be used in the spread of the gospel. They are frightening because of the tremendous responsibility imposed by millions of souls living today without the knowledge of God necessary for their salvation. This aspect is rendered even more frightening by the realization that people are being born faster than they are being reached with the gospel; actually, the church is losing ground in its effort to preach Christ to the world.

             It is obvious that the vision and evangelism of the church must be greatly accelerated if the challenge of today’s world is met. In order to accomplish this, the anchor of materialism must be cast off and spiritual attitudes must dominate and motivate the church. Listen to the beatitudes: “Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you” (Mat. 5:3-12). The key to the solution is leaders who are spiritually minded.

             Of course the church needs leaders, but the pressing need is for more spiritual leadership. The church needs leaders who are moved to tears and action by the mission needs existing today, men who will put the “go” back in the great commission (Mark 16:15). Men are needed who are big enough to lead us into the equality of all men before God. As Peter stated: “Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him” (Acts 10:34-35). We need leaders of such spiritual insight that they will neither hesitate nor fear to purge the church of corruption (1 Cor. 5:5-6). Leaders are needed who will be examples as well as teachers of spiritual attitudes with regard to our treatment of one another, reverence for God and things divine, purity in personal life and habits and an everlasting love for the souls of men (Mat. 18:1-35).

             Far too often the church is content to seek out the best it can find of business leadership and satisfy itself that this is the important quality. This attitude has done much to promote materialism in the thinking and action of congregations. Sometimes those selected as elders are men of questionable personal character selected solely because they are good business men or liberal givers.

             Business judgment and liberal giving are fine characteristics, but it certainly does not qualify one for spiritual leadership. The task of evangelizing the world laid before the church of the first century was a great faith—task. Conditions rendered it quite ridiculous from a cold business outlook. This is not to advocate a lack of planning in church work, quite the contrary, but planning with the partnership and promise of Jesus in mind: “Lo, I am with you alway, even to the end of the world” (Mat. 28:20).

             Sound business judgment and worldly wisdom have their place, but they do not take on nearly far enough to qualify him for spiritual leadership in the church of the Lord. When exercised to extremes they war against spiritual attitudes and reduce the church to nothing more than a material business effort. As we well know this will not reach or convert the lost !

             We do not desire to be pessimistic, but it is obvious the church is lagging in its God—given task. The cause can be summed up in one word: Worldliness (materialistic attitudes). The remedy is about as easy to pinpoint. Spiritual attitudes can be instilled within the church by spiritual leaders. The congregation as a whole will not rise above its leadership in this respect. May God help us develop leaders with spiritual hearts.

A Humble Heart

             Jesus, the great Shepherd, humbled Himself. He left heaven and came to live as a servant among men. As an example of humble service He washed the feet of His disciples and even included the one who would betray Him that very night. Finally, He stooped in humble submission to the base insult of the crucifixion “despising the shame” He had to endure. “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross” (Phi. 2:5-8).

             Luke records this incident: “And there was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest. And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors. But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve” (Luke 22:24-26). The apostles were being groomed for leadership in the kingdom of God, and the vital importance of the quality of humility was emphasized over and over. It is no less important among leaders in the kingdom today.

             Good elders and good preachers will be truly humble. Theirs will not be the false humility that cries: “Look at me. Proud am I my wants to see; proud of my humility” (Charles Moore).

             Humility serves; it does not merely direct and command. Elders rule by example rather than constraint as Peter declared: “The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: 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; Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away” (1 Pet. 5:1-4). Preachers must first “take heed unto thyself” (1 Tim. 4:16). There is a vast difference between merely assigning or commanding work and actually leading others in its accomplishment. There may not be feet to wash, but there are the hungry to feed, sick to tend, burdened to assist, bereaved to comfort, weak to encourage, and a hundred menial tasks to perform. The faithful servant and under-shepherd of Christ will be personally involved in these humble acts of service. It will not always be sufficient to see that these things are done or to hire them done. The arrogant may finance or command, but only the humble will serve.

             Humility in leadership eliminates a self-willed attitude. There will be too much respect and concern for others for this divisive quality to exist. The elder who is determined to have his way in matters of personal judgment is not humble. This characteristic frequently leads to a one-man negative rule. For example: There are three elders and two of these strongly favor a certain program of work while the third does not. He reluctantly agrees: “You go ahead if you want to, but remember that I am against it.” To prevent bad feelings and a divided eldership the program is dropped, and a self-willed elder has wielded a one-man rule because he did not have the humility to say, “If that is the thinking of the majority, my personal opinion will not count. Let’s get busy. I am 100% behind it from here on.” In other words, he will treat and support the subject as if it was his idea. Elders must resolve the difference or table it so further discussion can take place. Once a decision has been made, humility will call for unity among the eldership which will influence the members!

             Humble elders will not ride roughshod over the thinking of the congregation, but will always give this thinking great consideration in all decisions. The Lord’s church is also led by example and teaching, not by dictatorial methods.

             It must be understood that humility does not imply a lack of courage.

A Virtuous Heart

             Virtue is force, strength, power, moral courage, and determination. The cause of Christ and His church can never be served successfully by leaders who do not possess virtuous hearts.

             An aggressive program of work, especially mission work, will almost always be attacked by a minority of dissenters who are weak in faith but strong in verbiage. Faint hearted leaders will tend to cut back the program of work in order to still the voices of such criticism. This sometimes continues until nothing remains but a dead, house-keeping church. The church in Sardis (Rev. 3:1-6) may well have enjoyed the peace of many do-nothing churches—after all, a cemetery is a peaceful place.

             Real strength and courage are required to press forward confidently in the work of the Lord, and virtuous leaders are as essential as in the days of Moses. Woe unto elders who are so afraid to lead that the church dies under their oversight!

             Church discipline is a responsibility of every congregation, but is not likely to exist in a congregation where there are no virtuous leaders to provide the teaching and example so sorely needed. Only the Lord knows how many churches (and elderships) are courting division and apostasy rather than face the unpleasant task of confronting sin and dealing with it properly. How many souls will be lost because they were not disciplined when such could have restored them to Christ? How greatly we need virtuous leaders! How the church could be strengthened by obeying the command: “In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us” (2 The. 3:6).

             Sin has been cloaked in a mantle of respectability by much of society. In this manner the devil tries to infiltrate the church. Virtuous leadership is required to stand against the tide of “everyone is doing it” and prevent the church from floundering on the shoals of worldliness.

             Strong faithful leadership can move a church froward in the work of the Lord and lift it above carnality and petty attitude and bickering. When a congregation has weak leadership, it remains continually bogged down by innumerable small problems which are constantly discussed but seldom solved. These chronic ills not only reflect weak leadership, they destroy any possibility of an effective program of work and corrupt the attitudes of members of the church.

             This writer is privileged to be working with a congregation of God’s people, both as an elder and as a minister. We, the elders, have experienced and observed that in most congregations they have become like a factory, i.e., they teach people, baptize them, and let them go out the back door. Somehow we have got to find the virtue to close the back door. This can be seen when one observes bulletins where on a regular basis someone is being baptized for the remission of sins and begins worshiping God, but the number seldom if ever increases.

             May those who serve/function in this leadership capacity have a virtuous heart!

An Understanding Heart

             In impressing the qualities of Jesus which so perfectly fit Him as our great high priest, the Hebrews writer emphasized His understanding heart. “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need” (Heb. 4:15-16).

             The quality of understanding is most necessary in leaders in the church. Good elders will be approachable by those with problems; their understanding will inspire confidence and invite such approach. They will not appear as stern judges but as kind, wise, sympathetic, understanding leaders.

             Elders should pray so fervently for wisdom. For example: Here is a member who has fallen into a grave error through human weakness. What approach by the elders will restore this one and still protect the church, and what approach will drive him away completely? He is at a low point in life. Above all, he may need understanding and help. He certainly needs someone who can view his weakness. It is very difficult not to use oneself as a standard when dealing with the weaknesses of others. It is difficult to see each person as an individual in a unique setting and possessing completely personal strong and weak characteristics. One alcoholic can easily sympathize with another, but it is much more difficult for the one who has never tasted alcohol to be in the least understanding toward the struggles of the alcoholic.

             Why did Jesus deal so gently with the woman guilty of the terrible sin of adultery? “Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more” (John 8:11). Obviously, He knew both the heart of the woman and the circumstances of her sin. Though He condemned all sin in the strongest terms, His heart was touched by the plight of the sinner. One does not have to approve an action to be sympathetic and understanding toward the individual who performed it.

             Elders and the congregation must be a unit and function together as a unit. It must never be their (the elders) program and their responsibility. This attitude is wrong on the part of members but can be produced by negligence on the part of elders. They sometimes become too remote from the thinking, feelings, desires, and abilities of the other members. When this happens, eventually they find themselves with almost the entire load to pull and as a result, a failing program on their hands. When elders begin to lose rapport with the membership of the church, their influence and leadership will suffer. In such a situation a feeling of strife between elders and members can easily develop.

             Here are some suggestions toward the development of an understanding heart. These are general in nature, and good elders will find many additional ways to establish a proper relationship with the congregation.

	Get closer to the members. Visit in their homes; really get to know them.
	Work diligently to develop a keen appreciation for the abilities of the one talent man as well as the five talent man.
	Do not judge everyone by one standard of strength and weakness. Be understanding of the individual.
	Work with all the members in planning congregational programs of work and in carrying out these programs.
	Pray fervently for a wise and understanding heart.

An Optimistic Heart

             Through nineteen hundred years the promise of Jesus still lives: “Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen” (Mat. 28:20).

             The amazing apostle Paul wrote from his prison cell in Rome: “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” (Phi. 4:13).

             Jesus came to the storm-tossed disciples: He came walking through the wind and the waves surrounding them. Peter started to Him walking upon the water, “But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?” (Mat. 14:30-31).

             Chapter eight of Romans contains great encouragement for the Christian. Among the wonderful statements recorded there are these: “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose” (8:28). “What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?” (8:31).

             A person of faith cannot be other than optimistic. There is a world to conquer for Christ and no possibility of ultimate defeat for the faithful. The matchless challenges before the church today should be viewed with the utmost optimism by leaders in the church. After all, the strength of the omnipotent Christ and the might of heaven are on the side of the church. Where is room for pessimism and doubt?

             Optimism is a direct product of faith while pessimism and fear are children of doubt. Why does a world full of opportunities stretch untouched before the church today? Have we, like Peter, looked at the winds and become afraid? Are we afraid the Lord has forgotten His promise to be with us? Are we afraid He cannot cope with the modren world: depressions, wars, strikes, storms, sickness, emergencies? Can we no longer trust God?

             A congregation can be stifled by a pessimistic eldership. Elders who confront each new challenge with frown, shaking head, and mutterings of “I do not see how we can possible do it,” or “We are just too overloaded already,” have sold their birthright. It is worse than tragic that congregations have become dead house-keeping bodies, young preachers have been discouraged into quitting, converts to Christ have returned disillusioned to the world, and fields “white unto harvest” have remained untouched because of faithless pessimism in leadership.

             On the other hand, a congregation can be led to unbelievable accomplishments by elders of faith and optimism. We are seeing great programs of work and great accomplishments today, and back of these are faithful, optimistic, enthusiastic elders. Thank God for such! May their tribe increase; so many more are needed. A good elder will be greatly optimistic in his leadership. Believing in God, he cannot be otherwise.

             There is no low ceiling in what can be accomplished. As individuals and congregations, we cannot out-do or out-give God. Our accomplishments in Christ can increase just as far as our faith will permit; there is no other ceiling.

Editor’s Note: This is a combination of articles brother Newell has written on the subject of leadership and the qualities elders/leaders of the church need to possess. Brother Newell is not only a fine preacher of the gospel, but he is also an elder in the East Bristol, TN congregation and thus is one who is well qualified in writing these articles. We would encourage you to carefully consider each one.

"The Defender", vol. 32, No. 10, October 2003
"The Defender", vol. 33, No. 1, January 2004
"The Defender", vol. 33, No. 3, March 2004
"The Defender", vol. 33, No. 5, May 2004
"The Defender", vol. 33, No. 6, June 2004