The Responsibility and Honor of Elders (Santosh Poonen)

The way God establishes authority in the church is the exact opposite of the “pyramid schemes” used by the world to establishes authority in its organizations (Marks 9:35, 10:44). Jesus set us the ultimate example of how to be a ruler in God’s kingdom by humbling himself to the point of death (Philippians 2:5-9). The church needs plurality of elders for leadership because: the elders must set an example of submission to the flock, by submitting to each other; there must be a balance of vision and administration through the elders; the elders must share the burden of responsibility, lest they burn out; the elders must have accountability; this is the example that the apostles set out in the first century. 1. Elders must rule well (I Timothy 5:17). 2. Elders must live above reproach, because they incur the greater judgment from God (I Timothy 5:19). This is also why an accusation of an elder by an individual must never be received. 3. Elders must instill the fear of God in the church by rebuking sin (I Timothy 5:20). 4. Elders must be impartial (I Timothy 5:21). 5. Elders must keep free from every appearance of sin (I Timothy 5:22). 6. Elders must not be legalistic (I Timothy 5:23). 7. Elders must fight against every form of hypocrisy (I Timothy 5:24-25). Once someone chooses to submit to authority in the church, they must obey their leaders. The elders then have responsibility for those who submit to them (Hebrews 13:17). Elders must be considered worthy of double honor. God gives permission to those who preach the gospel to earn their living from it. Those who, like Paul, understand their obligation to the gospel, and are under compulsion, as having stewardship before God, will not use the right to earn a living from the gospel so that they cause no hindrance to the gospel of Christ (I Corinthians 9:12-17).