…One that rules well his own house, having his children in subjection with all respect; For if a man knows not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God? (1Tim 3:4-5)
In every Church mentioned in the NT we see that they were governed by a group of co-equal elders/overseers/shepherd-pastors, and not by one senior pastor (no hierarchy).
Let’s look at one of the qualities Paul lists to qualify an elder: That he rules well his own family.
Look at the role of a father in a family. He is the spiritual head, under Christ, his head. This means that he first intercedes for his family, covers them in prayer, watches out for them, identifies and blocks the works of the enemy, shielding them in prayer, and teaching
them the Word.
Then, from this spiritual position as shepherd he attends to all their physical or natural needs and social needs. Such is the true love of Christ, it is first spiritual and then touches the natural.
So, just on this quality alone, we see that for a man to be recognized as an elder in the Church he must already be an elder-shepherd in his family, and be carrying out his responsibility faithfully, AND he must already be caring for God’s people as a shepherd, even before he is recognized as an elder.
Transfer these family responsibilities to the Church, and so you see a man who intercedes for and carries all the saints in the Assembly in prayer, by name, every day, and is always ready to help them, and does so, with no thought as to receiving anything in return (just as he
expects nothing in return for being a shepherd to his own family).
He intercedes for his spiritual family, covers them in prayer, watches out for them, identifies and blocks the works of the enemy, shielding them in prayer, and teaching them the Word.
Do not recognize any man as an elder who does not do this as his joy and his calling (and not bcos he’s paid to do it).
And you guys who desire to be elders (A good desire, 1 Tim 3:1) make sure you are first a faithful shepherd to your family, and a faithful spiritual elder to the younger saints who need your prayers and counsel.
Ian Vincent 
August 29, 2012 at 11:49 am
This definitely rules out Ezekiel Stoddard, the 11 year old ‘ordained pastor’ I read about on BBC and the Christian Post.*grin*
August 30, 2012 at 2:11 am
That is a wonderful exhortation and explanation!
August 30, 2012 at 3:38 am
“Do not recognize any man as an elder who does not do this as his joy and his calling (and not bcos he’s paid to do it).”
Another things is that men who love power or recognition will not be happy about someone else with a strong gifting coming into the fellowship. This puts his honor and/or salary in jepordy. A man with a love for the saints will be very happy because now the body will have more help to grow up stronger. God bless the elder that lives to see others built up, to bless others, to spend himself for the brethren.. including fellow elders.
Just some things I was thinking. One more thing that has been on my heart is about wicked cain, and how as believers we can have a casual attitude that says “am I my brothers keeper” when we neglect to pray for and care for our brethren. Is there any better way we can spend our life than building others up in Christ with whatever gift or measure of faith God has freely given us? Jesus help me to live like this though I am no elder.
“Am I my brothers keeper”
August 31, 2012 at 1:00 am
Hi Jim, as to your point about there being conflict between different men in the Assembly as to who really deserves to be in the “head position” – just the creation of the “head position” creates and invites such a conflict of interest and competition, and disharmony, etc. Which must surely be one reason why Jesus did not create such a position in His Church, in the first place, but made all the elders co-equal.
September 1, 2012 at 3:50 am
And i don’t know which is a worse scenario: One where men are competing to get the “top job” as the head of the Assembly, or where men placidly accept (without discernment or any Biblical test) that the “head pastor” thing was established by God, and so they blindly accept that they are not “at that level or stature” and so remain under the control of it? It produces either ambition or placidity/complacency.