WHY SOME CHURCHES DO NOT HAVE ELDERS

By David J. Riggs

(Note: I obtained some of the thoughts for the following sermon from
Aude McKee).

Intro.
   A. Brother Irvin Lee once made the statement, "If a congregation
      had a good building paid for, and traded it for good elders,   
      they would have made a good trade." Amen!
      1. Brethren, in many cases, do not understand the importance
         of having elders.
   B. In this lesson, we want to explore some reasons why churches do
      not have elders.
      1. Perhaps it will help us in our need here in this            
         congregation.

I. SOME CHURCHES DO NOT HAVE ELDERS SIMPLY BECAUSE THEY HAVEN'T SEEN 
   THE NEED.
   A. Some might think, "Why have elders when we are getting along
      fine without them?"
      1. Churches usually do fairly well until a severe problem      
         arises, and then the roof caves in.
   B. Without elders a church is lacking in God's sight. Titus 1:5
      1. Every local congregation is to have elders. Acts 14:23
   C. Elders are needed to more fully obey God. Heb. 13:17; 1 Thess.
      5:12-13
      1. Most members would readily follow elders if they were
         appointed.
   D. Organization is important in other endeavors.
      1. For example, try running a business or factory without
         management.
      2. In our business meetings, it is often difficult to bring    
         about a final decision. Having elders alleviates this       
         problem.
   E. It is not good to have a flock without shepherds.
      1. Without elders, often the case is either all sheep or all
         shepherds.
      2. Sheep are prone to stray when there are no shepherds.
      3. There are many spiritual wolves in our world today.
      4. The lambs need special attention.
      5. Most members of the church don't want to be presumptuous
         or self-willed; thus, they won't take control.
         a. In other words, no one has given them any authority,
            and they will not usurp what is not theirs.
   F. Discipline can be more fully handled.
      1. The business meeting arrangement often takes far too long in
         accomplishing any good.
      2. We need God-appointed "watchmen" in behalf of souls. Heb.
         13:17
   G. Benevolence can be more proficiently administered. Acts 11:27-
      30

II. SOME CHURCHES DO NOT HAVE ELDERS BECAUSE OF AN UNREALISTIC       
   UNDERSTANDING OF THE QUALIFICATIONS.
   A. There are members in some congregations who are looking for
      perfect men.
      1. Those who look upon the qualifications as demanding
         perfection will never find men who are qualified.
   B. Some of the qualifications are relative.
      1. For example, he must be "Blameless." 1 Tim. 3:2
         a. This does not mean that he has never committed a sin.
         b. Peter was an elder (1 Pet. 5:1); yet, look at his
            background. Matt. 26:69-75; Gal. 2:11
   C. We are not saying that men do not need to meet the             
      qualifications as given in 1 Tim. 3 and Titus 1.
      1. We are simply saying that some congregations are hoping
         that someday some "perfect men" will move in with them
         and serve as elders. It will never happen!

III. SOME CHURCHES HAVEN'T COMPREHENDED THE BLESSINGS OF HAVING
   ELDERS.
   A. Please consider some of the blessings of having elders.
      1. The congregation will be more united.
         a. A strong leadership means a united membership.
      2. The flock will be fed and the lambs nourished. Acts 20:28; 1
         Pet. 5:2
      3. The followers will be more dutiful.
         a. Strong leaders provide work for all. They encourage
            and incite us to more fully obey God.
      4. The church more readily maintains its autonomy.
         a. Weak churches often lose their independence by relying
            too much on other churches. They are often pressured
            into following error; e.g., when a brotherhood "issue"
            arises.
      5. More souls will be reached.
         a. When there are leaders who build enthusiasm, more will
            be done.
         b. For example, some elders purposefully over estimate
            their budget, and then call on all the members to give to
            the best of their ability.

IV. SOME CHURCHES NEVER HAVE ELDERS BECAUSE THEY FEAR TROUBLE, OR    
   FEAR MAKING A MISTAKE.
   A. How often have we heard the statement, "It's better to have no
      elders at all than to have unqualified elders?"
      1. This statement is true; however, we can't let the fear of
         making a mistake keep us from obeying God.
      2. The dangers we face now, are the same one faced in the first
         century.
      3. Elders back then went astray (Acts 20:28-31); yet, in spite 
         of the danger, churches were encouraged to appoint elders.
      4. The fact that some men might go astray, or later not be what
         they ought to be, should not discourage us from doing the
         Lord's will.
   B. It takes a lot of maturity on the part of any congregation to
      faithfully compare men with the qualification as given in 1    
      Tim. 3 and Titus 1.
      1. We need the maturity to lay aside our own personal likes and
         dislikes, and objectively look at the men in view of God's
         given qualifications.
   C. Furthermore, the men under consideration must be mature and
      humble enough to view the objections if there are any.
      1. They must do so with no ill will, and with a desire to
         improve their lives.
      2. I heard of one humble brother who stated that he would
         serve as an elder if so chosen, but if not, he would serve  
         in any way suggested by the church.

V. SOME CHURCHES DO NOT HAVE ELDERS BECAUSE THEY HAVEN'T DEVELOPED   
   ELDERS.
   A. Many sermons on the eldership are preached twenty years too
      late.
      1. We need much training in preparing our young men to
         become elders.
      2. Most of the qualifications for elders start long before the
         man is of proper age.
   B. Churches often have programs in training young men to preach.
      1. Along with these, more importantly, we need programs to
         develop our young men to become elders.
      2. Our young married women need to help their husbands
         develop the needed qualities.
   C. The proving ground for elders is in their own homes. 1 Tim.    
      3:4-5
      1. The number-one cause which disqualifies many from being
         elders is, "Unfaithful children."

VI. MANY CHURCHES DO NOT HAVE ELDERS BECAUSE THEY HAVE QUALIFIED MEN 
   WHO HESITATE TO ACCEPT THE APPOINTMENT.
   A. Some are afraid of the potential criticism.
      1. Because of the criticism, sometimes wives discourage their
         husbands from serving as elders.
      2. Criticism is a natural consequence of public teaching. Any
         public teacher is under public scrutiny.
         a. There will be times when elders might make poor
            decisions; however, they learn by experience and are
            thereby able to do better in the future.
   B. Some do not serve simply because they do not want the
      responsibility.
      1. It is true that serving as an elder is a fearful            
         responsibility. There are sinners who need to be rebuked,   
         gainsayers who must be convicted, unruly and vain talkers   
         who must be stopped. Titus 1:9-11
      2. However, we need men who will rise to the occasion, and do
         their best in serving God in this matter.
   C. Some are too busy with material things to serve.
      1. It's a fact that overseeing the flock requires lots of time 
         and energy; however, again, someone needs to do it.
      2. We need men who will re-arrange their work schedules and
         serve God in this capacity.
   D. Some will not serve simply because they are interested in their
      own affairs.
      1. There are men in the various churches who do a lot of       
         fishing, hunting, and camping. Some are gone every other
         weekend. Some want to go to Florida during the winter
         months.
      2. We need men who are willing to put the Lord first.
   E. Another reason some men will not serve, and this probably
      accounts for more than any other, is because of a feeling of
      inadequacy.
      1. I want to ask, "What man truly feels adequate for the job?"
      2. When one considers the responsibility of watching for
         other's souls, and the fact that he will give account to God
         as to how well he does it, it is indeed a fearful thought.
      3. Nevertheless, there are fearful responsibilities laid upon  
         all Christians. 2 Cor. 5:10-11a; 1 Pet. 3:15
         a. We need men who will look to the Lord for strength,
            meet the challenge, and do their best in this much
            needed work.

Concl.
   A. No doubt, the reason some churches do not have elders is simply
      because they do not have men who are qualified.
   B. Nevertheless, there are other reasons some churches do not have
      elders.
   C. Let us encourage our men to serve if they are qualified, and   
      let us encourage those who are not qualified to strive to      
      become qualified.
   D. Appointing elders in a church should never be taken lightly. It
      is a serious matter that demands our attention and prayers.
   E. Let us all pray that God will help us in fulfilling His will by
      someday having an eldership.
      1. Let us also pray that the eldership will be everything God
         intended it to be.