The Highway Forums General Discussion Theology Discussion Forum The PCA's Leinhart Case - True Colors Sgine Through

Here's my take... I believe that there is but one office of elder vs. the current bifurcation of that one office into essentially two offices; teaching elder and ruling elder. This is practiced by both Presbyterians and Continental Reformed churches. The latter try to justify that bifurcation by asserting that Christ held three offices: Prophet, Priest and King. The "Prophetical Office" = preaching/teaching elder, the "Priestly Office" = Deaconate, and the "Kingly Office" = ruling elder. However, I find no biblical warrant for such a view. When I read the qualifications for Elder, Paul states that the Elder must "be apt to teach" and that he must "rule his household well" (1Tim 3:2,4,5). Thus, an Elder must possess BOTH the gift/ability to teach/preach and rule.

Among the Eldership some are more gifted in the responsibility of preaching and they are to be recognized for that gift and given the bulk of the responsibility of preaching. But as far as the responsibilities of teaching and ruling, ALL are to be active in fulfilling those roles.

Thus, the authority among the Elders is equal; no single man is to have more power than any other. This totally eliminates the current designations of "Senior Pastor", "Associate Pastor" or "Assistant Pastor". Each Elder is held accountable equally and without prejudice.

Lastly, without diminishing the responsibility of "ruling", let me state that I believe that this responsibility of an Elder far exceeds in practice what Christ intended. What I have concluded from studying this issue is that the primary characteristic of an Elder is that of an under-shepherd, a servant of Christ and to the people he serves. And the primary virtue necessary for a man to serve as an Elder is HUMILITY. I would assert that this attribute is sadly lacking, either in part or totally from the vast majority of men who have been ordained. Pride dominates among the Eldership today. Oh yes, they often are able to feign humility for many adopt a phony and condescending "pastoral voice", but behind that facade there is a clandestine ego.

Today, Elders, especially the so-called "Teaching Elders" are on the same level as a politician. They can't be trusted and they deem themselves to be 'above the law'. Doubtless there are a few here, perhaps many, who have had conversations with their "pastor" over some issue which they disagreed with and it didn't take long before that pride reared its ugly head. Am I not right? How many pastors today wrestle with fear in regard to preaching or teaching? I'm not referring to the fear of standing before a congregation of class of students, aka: stage fright, but rather that healthy, spiritual fear that is present due to the realization that you are responsible for expounding the truth of God to others and that an error could lead someone astray or even result in that person's eternal damnation. Preaching is probably the most important thing any man on this earth could do, surpassing any other act one could ever do. Who is worthy of such a privilege? And what man has within himself the courage to take on that responsibility?

Okay, enough of yet another rant!