I was able to attend session 3 of a home church conference put on by NTRF. Here are some not I took from session 3 – Elder-Led Congregational Consensus.
The Practice of the Early Church
Session 3 – Elder-Led Congregational Consensus
(Steve Atkerson)
Everyone agrees that Christ is the head of the Church… opinions digress from that point.
Elder-Led Congregational Consensus is a little different than Elder-Rule form of church government.
Who is in charge here? Luke 22:23-27
We are not to be like the Gentiles.
How much authority should church leaders have? The same authority a child has, the same authority a servant has.
Leaders have authority, but it is a different type of authority (one that is unlike the Gentiles).
Who were the letters to churches written to?
Romans 1:7 – To all, not just the leaders
1 Corinthians 1:2 – To all, not just the leaders
2 Corinthians 1:1 – To all, not just the leaders
Galatians 1:1 – To all…
etc., etc., etc.
Philippians 1:1 – To all… “including the overseers and deacons”
etc., etc., etc.
Hebrews 13:7 – To all… and then asks them to “greet all of your leaders and all the saints.”
etc., etc., etc.
1 Peter 5:1-3 – Written to the elders “among you.”
Elders are important, but there is a decided lack of emphasis on Elders. We should appreciate them for their service (1 Thessalonians 5:12).
It appears that the authority that Elders have is the authority to persuade people to the truth.
Authority resides with the church corporately, not with its leaders.
Matthew 16:18-19
Matthew 18:16-17
Church leaders don’t make decisions for the church, the make decisions with the church. Perhaps like the Senate, a group of people can bring what they think should be done (leaders) and but they with the rest of the church decide together.
Doing it this way, means you will have to love each other enough to put up with one-another. You won’t always agree with one-another.
Acts 1:15,23 – Peter recognized a problem, need to fill Judas’ spot, but the 120 put forward two possible people.
Acts 6:3,5 – Recognized a problem of with feeding the widows, but the church picked the seven.
Acts 15 (22-23) – With the whole church…
1 Corinthians 5 – The whole church decides
1 Corinthians 6 – The whole church judges
Consensus is based on unity – Psalm 133:1; 1 Corinthians 1:10; Ephesians 4:3-6; Phillipians 2:2; Colossians 3:15; John 17:11,20-23; 1 Corinthians 10:17; Ephesians 4:11-13;
Hebrews 13:17 – Obey is 13:17 in the Greek is actually more like “allow yourself to be persuaded or convinced by” your leaders or take their advice. Submit in 13:17 is more like “yield or surrender.” This is a process or battle after which one yields (or surrenders). Submission still occurs, but the picture is one of serious discussion and dialog prior to one party giving way.
The authority of “obey” and “submit” is merely that of the gift of persuading one to the truth.
The point of the verse is not to be a blockhead.
Caveat – 1 Peter 5:5 “You younger men, likewise, be subject (hupotasso) to your elders” and this is the word that really means to submit.
James 3:17 – But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy.
Conclusion:
There is a surprising lack of emphasis on church leaders in the letters to the churches.
Congregational consensus is the NT norm for church government (not majority rule, not elder rule). Church polity is to be that of consensus, not command. Authority resides in the church as a whole, not its leaders (Mt 18:15-20).
Generally speaking, church leaders have the same authority as children and slaves (Lk 22:24-27). Leaders are to lead by persuasion, example, life-style, influence and teaching (Heb 13:7).
Elders are to be given special consideration in the consensus process (Heb 13:17), especially when dealing with block heads and young Turks!
Churches are to be more elder-led than elder-ruled (1 Pe 5:1-3).
Lew, interesting post. A friend of mine (who leads a house chruch) is doing a study of eldership. He is coming to the conclusion that elders are meant to be guardians of the churhc in the sense that they are to know the Word of God through and through and prevent the teaching of false doctrine. I’ve never had it explained to me this way (in fact, I don’t think I’ve ever heard any teaching on eldership). Have you ever heard of their position explained in this way.
Also, could you explain how the tie was made between being like a child and having the authority of a child (in Luke 22) and what exactly is meant by having the authority of a child?
Thanks
Hey Nomodiphas,
I think I would come to a difference conclusion than your friend concerning Elders. I would say that an Elder is someone who knows the Word of God (that is, Christ). A believer who is more mature (spiritually) than other believers and sets an example to follow. It is important to know what Scripture says, but I believe it is more important to have a relationship with the Author. I have heard people explain it that way though.
The link is specifically found in verse 26, “the one who is the greatest among you must become like the youngest…” the context suggests that the “greatest” will not have authority (like the world sees authority)… I think the rest of scripture testifies to the fact that Elders do have authority, but it is a different type of authority – not one of a Lord, but of a servant.
That’s pretty much what he meant when he said they should have the authority of a child. A child has no authority.
I hope that answers your questions.
Thanks for the comment.
God’s Glory,
Lew