Posts Tagged ‘elders’
Does divorce disqualify a man from being an elder?
Question: Does divorce disqualify a man from being an elder? Is adultery covenant-breaking? Answer: Adultery does break the covenant or “law” between a man and a woman. “Or do you not know, brethren (for I speak to those who know the law), that the law has dominion over a man as long as he lives?…
Read MoreIsn’t the reason denominations want married preachers is because they confuse the office of an elder with that of the preacher?
Question: I wanted to make a comment about requiring preachers to be married. I have taken note that the denominations do not generally adhere to scriptural church leadership, and instead of a plurality of elders, they have a board of deacons and one ‘elder’ or ‘pastor,’ who also serves as the preacher. In other words, they…
Read MoreWhat should be done when there are couples in the church living together without being married?
Question: I have to address a subject with the missionary society for whom I am working. There are three couples in the church where I am at living together and not married. One couple has been together for over 15 years. Both of their spouses cheated on them so they left their spouses, met each…
Read MoreDoes a Christian have the right to privately criticize an elder?
Question: Does a church member have the right to privately confront or send a message to an elder, for the purpose of disagreement or criticism? If this not acceptable, what consequences should follow a disagreement? Answer: “Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who…
Read MoreI’m not certain if we are ready to raise children
Question: I have just spent some time reviewing your site and it is incredible. I am having some issues right now and was hoping you could help me, not sure where to turn because I don’t want anyone in my church to think horribly of me. Anyway, here goes. My husband and I met six…
Read MoreThe Rule of Elders (Smelser)
On the Relation of Elders and Congregations Revised and Expanded by Dale Smelser Preface The following pages examine a subject of growing interest — the work of elders. I am confident the continuing discussion and study will help us focus ever more accurately upon the New Testament teaching about this important theme. This material, critical…
Read MoreHow do we decide what offices in Ephesians 4:11 remain?
Question: Ephesians 4:11 (King James Version): “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers” Question: Since all offices were given for the same reason according to verse 12, how do we decide which offices still remain? Answer: By the qualifications for the offices. Apostles were selected by…
Read MoreWhat is the function of a pastor?
Question: What is the function of a pastor? Answer: The denominational world uses the term “pastor” in a way that you do not find in the Bible. Among the denominations, a pastor is a person who preaches and runs a local congregation. It is a blend of the duties the Bible assigns to preachers and…
Read MoreShould the current eldership select additional elders?
Question: Is it scripturally correct for elders to choose another elder and have him installed by an outside evangelist? The process I’m speaking of was one where two elders announced to a group of the members that the elders would be “selecting” the new elder(s) and deacon(s). Shouldn’t the “selection process” be left up to…
Read MoreDoes an elder need to step down if one of his children falls away?
Question: My question pertains to elders and having believing children. If when they, believing children of an elder, leave home and happen to fall away from the church should the elder step down? Or does this fall under the example aspect and he should step down because of that? Another question is what if he…
Read MoreDo the elders and preachers constitute the church in decisions?
Question: I have been a member of the church of Christ for some time now. My family and I moved to another congregation to help out because they were very small. My wife and I began to have difficulties in our marriage. She decided to take our problems to the elders and the preacher of…
Read MoreWhat would you tell an eldership who rejects a preacher because his wife wears a head covering?
Question: What would you tell an eldership who thought that it would be divisive to have me as a minister? I mean I don’t want to make an issue of it. Shaina my future wife would wear a head covering, but I would not teach something the elders do not want me to. I just…
Read MoreCan a woman be a pastor?
Question: Can a woman be ordained as a Christian pastor? Answer: The word “pastor” is used very loosely in the denominations. Generally, in a denomination a pastor is a preacher. Women are not able to be preachers since God through Paul stated, “And I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority…
Read MoreFive Synonyms: One Office
by Jeff Smith In the New Testament, we find at least five words that describe both the office an elder holds and the work that he does. Elder is from the Greek word, presbuterous. Paul told Titus to “appoint elders in every city” in Titus 1:5. The lexicographer, Thayer, comments that this particular term denotes the dignity…
Read MoreOur Need for Guidance
Text: John 10:1-18 I. A disturbing trend has been commented upon time and again A. Children going astray, Christians leaving the church. B. It appears that the second law of thermodynamics applies to Christians as well. 1. Instead of a trend toward increasing entropy (randomness and disorder) 2. It is a trend toward increasing apathy C. While not the sole…
Read MoreWhat qualifications does an elder need that a deacon does not?
Question: What qualifications does an elder need that a deacon does not? Answer: In regards to the family, an elder must have “faithful children not accused of dissipation or insubordination” (Titus 1:6) and be “one who rules his own house well, having his children in submission with all reverence” (I Timothy 3:4) while a deacon…
Read MoreCan a church organize tasks without elders?
Question: I would like your thoughts on organizing works in a church that does not have the luxury of elders, such as visitors, attendance, sick members, evangelism. Can men be appointed or volunteer to serve as leaders over these areas with an assistant? Wouldn’t this make these areas offices? Do we have authority for this?…
Read MoreHow old does a person need to be to become an elder?
Question: How old does a person need to be to become an elder? Answer: The word translated as “elders” in the New Testament comes from the Greek word presbuteros, which refers to an older person. No set age is implied by the word and it is sometimes used to denote relative age. For example, in the…
Read MoreMust elders have more than one child?
Question: Must elders have more than one child? Answer: “one who rules his own house well, having his children in submission with all reverence” (I Timothy 3:4). “if a man is blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of dissipation or insubordination” (Titus 1:6). The Greek word in both I Timothy 3:4 and…
Read MoreOverseers of the Flock?
by Marvin L. Weir Julien Dupre, A Shepherd and His Flock A faithful child of God realizes that he must battle with those within the kingdom as well as with those outside the kingdom. It is sad that one’s energies and efforts must be expended on exposing those who “will not endure the sound doctrine;…
Read MoreDoes “faithful children” mean faithful to God or faithful to the parent?
Question: When Paul speaks of “faithful children” in Titus 1:6, did he mean faithful to God or faithful to the parent? Answer: Terms in the Bible are sometimes difficult to translate because common words are borrowed and used in ways where the common word takes on a deeper meaning than it originally had. For example, one…
Read MoreWhat happens if an elder’s wife dies?
Question: If a man is qualified to serve as an elder but his wife dies before he is installed, can he still become an elder? If an elder’s wife dies may he continue to serve? Answer: In looking for qualified men to be elders, we put so much emphasis on the qualifications of the man…
Read MoreWhen Children Go Wrong
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton I. The raising of a child is a fearful responsibility. A. God entrusts you with the care of a precious soul wrapped up in a tiny body. B. All souls belong to God – Ezekiel 18:4 C. Each child is a precious gift 1. Jacob understood this – Genesis 33:5 2. The Psalmist so stated – Psalm…
Read MoreWhat is meant by an elder being the husband of one wife?
Question: What does the statement husband of one wife mean in regards to an elder? Answer: “The husband of one wife” (I Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:6). Only a married man may be an elder. Single men are eliminated as well as men who practice bigamy. The Law of Moses did allow some men to have multiple…
Read MoreCan a man be both a preacher and an elder?
Question: Can an elder function as an evangelist and vice versa? Answer: The word “pastor” in Ephesians 4:11 comes from a Greek word referring to a shepherd. This is the man charged with the care and feeding of a flock. As with the office of the evangelist, this office is described by a variety of words. We…
Read MoreMust an elder have faithful children?
Question: Is it necessary for an elder to have children faithful in the church? If yes, then how many? Answer: “Having children who believe, not accused of dissipation or rebellion” (Titus 1:6). “He must be one who manages his own household well, keeping his children under control with all dignity” (I Timothy 3:4). The purpose…
Read MoreWho removes an elder from office?
Answer: If an elder sins, who removes him from office? Answer: Paul told Timothy, “Do not receive an accusation against an elder except from two or three witnesses. Those who are sinning rebuke in the presence of all, that the rest also may fear. I charge you before God and the Lord Jesus Christ and…
Read MoreWho appoints elders?
Question: Who appoint elders? Answer: The qualifications for the position of elder are found in lists recorded in I Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9. That the eldership is a distinct duty is clearly seen in I Timothy 3:1, “It is a trustworthy statement: if any man aspires to the office of overseer, it is a fine work he desires…
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