Having moved about, my wife and I have worshiped with many congregations that follow the New Testament pattern. Currently, we are visiting a congregation that has a part-time minister and one elder. How this came about is murky. As our options are very limited, we have visited for several months, even to the point of myself leading opening and closing prayers. Now we are invited to be members. This congregation is otherwise scriptural as far as I can tell, but, of course, this eldership is an important issue.<\/p>\n
In a way, this congregation is starting new. In another way, the past is being dragged forward. To be clear the one elder does not call himself an elder, nor is there any recognition that he is not. It’s just that the others left leaving just him so he carries on the work.<\/p>\n
My question is: What are my responsibilities and accountabilities in such a situation? Do I see it as a church rebuilding after a loss, or as a new church being established? How are new congregations established before they are large enough to have elders? I’m assuming that the day will come when qualified men will join the remaining “elder”. What should happen here? Should we stay or not?<\/p>\n
Thanks for your answer to my dilemma.<\/p>\n\t
I’ve been a part of small congregations most of my life. These congregations manage to survive because the members step up to do whatever needs to be done. Ideally, a congregation has elders to watch over the spiritual growth of the members, but it is also the duty of all members to watch out for each other (Romans 12:10; Galatians 6:2; Hebrews 3:13). Men are selected because they exhibit the qualities for shepherding God’s people. Whether they hold the title of “elder” or not, they still possess those qualities and should be using them to benefit God’s people.<\/p>\n
In the same way, men in a congregation should be able to teach and preach God’s Word. It is great that this congregation has a man who can support himself and preach the Gospel in the area. It is difficult work. I personally did this for about 18 years before I became a full-time preacher.<\/p>\n
From what I gather, this congregation was once bigger but has lost members. Those who remain are picking up the pieces and continuing the effort. I would suggest joining them and working with them to grow the congregation.<\/p>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Question: Having moved about, my wife and I have worshiped with many congregations that follow the New Testament pattern. Currently, we are visiting a congregation that has a part-time minister and one elder. How this came about is murky. As our options are very limited, we have visited for several months, even to the point…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[20],"tags":[448,123],"class_list":["post-52500","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-answer","tag-church","tag-elders"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":19244,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/what-happens-when-one-of-a-congregations-two-elders-moves\/","url_meta":{"origin":52500,"position":0},"title":"What happens when one of a congregation’s two elders moves?","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"January 29, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"Question: When one elder relocates to another district and there is no one to replace him, who leads the church? Is it the remaining one elder? Please explain to me with clear scripture references because we have this problem at our congregation. Answer: A congregation with only one man qualified\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Answer"","block_context":{"text":"Answer","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/answer\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":41588,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/is-an-elder-an-elder-for-life\/","url_meta":{"origin":52500,"position":1},"title":"Is an elder an elder for life?","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"January 16, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"Question: A brother in our area is claiming to be \"an elder for life\" even though he has moved from one congregation to another and has not\u00a0been a serving elder in either. 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Answer: A man can preach without\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Answer"","block_context":{"text":"Answer","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/answer\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":68309,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/why-arent-the-elders-helping-me-to-learn-to-preach\/","url_meta":{"origin":52500,"position":5},"title":"Why aren’t the elders helping me to learn to preach?","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"June 8, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"Question: I hope this email finds you doing well. I have a question. I finally got to preach and teach for a month in another congregation. I asked the elders in my church to attend one day and give me pointers. 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