What Relationship Do Pastors (Elders) Have With the Congregation?
Elders are
called and appointed by God, confirmed by the church leadership, and
ordained to the task of leadership. To them are committed the
responsibilities of being examples to the flock, giving the church
direction, teaching the people, and leading the congregation. Scripture
implies that anyone at a lower level of leadership should be under the
elders’ authority.
Because they
share unique responsibility and position in the church, elders are worthy of
great respect.
First
Thessalonians 5:12–13 says, “We request of you, brethren, that you
appreciate those who diligently labor among you, and have charge over you in
the Lord and give you instruction, and that you esteem them very highly in
love because of their work.”
The Greek
word translated “appreciate” in that passage means, “to know intimately.”
Along with the rest of this passage, it implies a close relationship
involving appreciation, respect, love, and cooperation. That great feeling
of appreciation is to arise “because of their work.” We are to respect them
because of the calling they are fulfilling—not only because of their
diligent labor and the task they have but because
that calling is so noble.
Hebrews 13:7
says, “Remember those who led you, who spoke the Word of God to you; and
considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith.” That
emphasizes both the elder’s responsibility to live as an example,
manifesting virtue in his life, and the church’s duty to follow their
example.
Verse 17
adds another dimension of the congregation’s duty toward their spiritual
leaders: “Obey your leaders, and submit to them; for they keep watch over
your souls, as those who will give an account. Let them do this with joy and
not with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you.” In other words, the
congregation is spiritually accountable to the elders, and the elders are
accountable to God. The congregation should submit to the elders’ leadership
and let the elders be concerned with their own accountability before the
Lord. And if the congregation is submissive and obedient, the elders will be
able to lead with joy and not with grief, which is ultimately unprofitable
for everyone.
That does
not mean, however, that if an elder sins openly his sin should be ignored.
First Timothy 5:19–21 says, 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.
An
accusation of sin against an elder is not to be received lightly. Nor is it
to be overlooked. Elders are to be disciplined for sinning in the same way
anyone else in the church would be. In no way are they to receive
preferential treatment.
The testimony of the church is most visible in the lives of the elders. If they ignore the biblical mandate for holiness, the church will suffer the consequences. Equally, if the church is not submissive to the leadership God has ordained, its testimony will suffer, its effectiveness will be diminished, its priorities will be unbalanced, and ultimately its flavor as the salt of the earth will be lost.