This week Bob is moving us closer to wrapping up our look at what to do when a brother sins, before we ever get to the point that we might reject him from our fellowship because of his insistence on continuing in sin. This time Bob is taking us to the very heights of leadership in the church – the elders themselves. This topic is dealt with specifically in 1 Timothy 5:19-22 where we read, “Do not receive an accusation against an elder except on the basis of two or three witnesses. Those who continue in sin, rebuke in the presence of all, so that the rest also may be fearful of sinning. I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of His chosen angels, to maintain these principles without bias, doing nothing in a spirit of partiality. Do not lay hands upon anyone too hastily and thus share responsibility for the sins of others; keep yourself free from sin.”
In looking at this passage it is broken down into its various subtopics with the first being that of when or when not the other elders are to even listen to an accusation against one of the elders. With their greater responsibility in the church often comes a greater tendency to be attacked, and for that reason accusations are to be dealt with more carefully. Scripture is pretty clear that in this case there has to be more than one who can attest to what has transpired. This doesn’t even get into what steps the individual(s) who might want to bring the accusation have gone through prior to this point. We always need to be mindful that our efforts need to be about not only protecting the flock but also restoring the erring brother to a correct walk. God holds elders to a higher standard in a sense and provides them with some greater protection.
Clearly we are not to ignore the sin of an elder once it is found to be true and persistent. If he refuses to repent and get back on track, then he needs to be removed from his position and dealt with appropriately in light of everything else we have already looked at. Again there is a lesson here not only for the whole congregation but in particular for the other elders of just what an important role they fill in the health of God’s churches, speaking here of the individual fellowships such as ours.
This is an important instruction and there is no one who is above it or exempt from examination. Paul tells Timothy that these things are to be practiced without bias or partiality. There is to be no “good old boys club” in any Christ-centered, Word-based church of God. And at the same time those appointed to the role of elder need to show that they really should be there, as we see in the final instruction that no one is to be appointed too hastily and thus be party to leading others astray because of immaturity or carelessness.
As the apostles died, the elders were left with the responsibility for overseeing and shepherding the churches left behind until Christ returns. It is a great responsibility and Scripture states over and over again that these men need to be regarded properly in their role. But their role is not, to be very clear on this, a distant and cold autocracy sitting on high looking down their noses at all under them. Elders are servants of Christ and servants of His church given a charge to care diligently for it in all ways just as Christ would do Himself. And the example of Christ is that He gave His life for His church.
Having served here at Crossroads for 11 years in this role and in a previous church as well, I know there are days and even seasons when elders can grow frustrated and weary (and might even need a break), but at the same time I know full well that it is something that God designed for His church and He brings joy and the strength to endure to those who are called and who take up the challenge. 1 Timothy 3:1 says, “It is a trustworthy statement: If any man aspires to the office of overseer [elder], it is a fine work he desires to do.”
Joe Burgess
1. When you look back over this series on resolving conflicts caused by sin, what did you learn that you had never understood before? Has it made a difference in the way you listen to or help people in conflict? If so, how?
2. Without naming names, can you share when a church you were a part of mishandled the discipline of a leader? What Biblical principle was violated?
3. Can you recall a time when a church you were a part of handled the discipline of a church leader in a Biblical manner? What was the end result?
Comments