Helping Men Desire The Office
Being an elder in the Lord’s Church is the highest office any man could ever hold in this life. Shepherding a local congregation is a responsibility that has such weight to it, and it is essential to the health of a congregation.
But the office is not just for anyone. Twice in the writings of Paul–in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1–he gives inspired qualifications these men are to have to become elders, and that they should continue to have to remain in that important office. Many have pointed out to me over the years that the first of the qualifications listed in 1 Timothy 3 might be the hardest–or, at least, the one that “disqualifies” the most men from the office.
The English Standard Version states it this way: “If anyone aspires to the office of overseer” (1 Timothy 3:1). The King James Version words it this way: “If a man desire the office of a bishop.” Either translation is accurate, as the original word basically means “to reach after” something.
There should be a desire to be an elder. Sadly, I have heard many men speak about how they might want to be elders, but they have seen the work and seen how elders are treated and it causes them not to desire it! Now, there might be other reasons why a man would not desire the office, but is it not tragic that one of the commonly cited reasons is how elders are treated?
So, how can we help men desire the office of an elder? I could, if I wanted to, give “5 steps” to help with this, or some other catchy way of giving helpful suggestions. That could be a helpful exercise, but I think there is one verse–literally one verse–that, if practiced by all Christians, would take away that reason why many men do not desire the office of an elder.
Read, re-read, and re-re-read Hebrews 13:17, and see if this would not alleviate this issue:
Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you. (English Standard Version)
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. (King James Version)
Obey your rulers and recognize their authority. They are like men standing guard over your spiritual good, and they have great responsibility. Try to make their work a pleasure and not a burden–by so doing you will help not only them but yourselves. (Phillips)
If Christians would follow that verse in action and attitude, would it not solve the “desire” problem many men have about becoming an elder? It is not that elders are tyrants or that they are above the law, but they are spiritual men who are mature. If all Christians would simply trust them and follow their spiritual guidance, doing so with a joyful attitude, it would not be such a barrier to find men who desire the office.
Am I helping my elders serve with joy? Are you?
To Receive Every Article from A Legacy of Faith through Email for Free, Click Here
AUTHOR: Adam Faughn
