The elder, an important leader in Adventist congregations around the world, has a very large shepherding spiritual responsibility.
The role of the local church elder in the Adventist Church is of fundamental importance. Reflecting on its function, in the light of the Word of God, is essential, as we run the risk of diminishing its value and relevance in these challenging days.
The Bible offers a roadmap for success in this important function: In chapter 20 of the book of Acts, we find Paul with a group of elders, coming from the city of Ephesus to Miletus, to say goodbye to the great apostle with the possibility of never meeting again (Acts 20:25, 38) . The recommendations that Paul made to this group can summarize what is expected of those chosen to lead the church of God.
Attention
Paul spent approximately three years in the Church of Ephesus, on his third missionary journey (Acts 19 - 21), between the years 53 and 58 AD. The location is important: Ancient Ephesus was a major city of the Roman Empire, somewhere people traveled to in order to do business. Although the waterway was later filled in by silt, in Paul’s day, Ephesus sat at the mouth of the Cayster River and was connected to the Agean Sea. It was renowned as one of the most important seaports of the ancient world.
In Acts 20:18 -27, we get a summary, a “job description” if you will, of what leading a local church should be like. Then, in verse 28, Paul offers guidelines that must signify the ministry a genuine elder.
“Take heed to yourselves” - The verb phrase take heed is a translation of the Greek word prosecho (pronounced pros-ekh'-o), which means to care. Before taking care of the flock, we need to take care of our hearts. As spiritual leaders, the first people we must pastor are ourselves. How is your heart? How are you taking care of your thoughts? Where are your richest hopes placed? Have you noticed the care of Christ in your life? Ellen G. White said, "He will help us if we try to help ourselves." [1]
Faith community
“For the whole flock” - First, you take care of yourself and then the whole flock. What does the whole “flock” mean? I believe that this involves, in the first place, your own family. Then, the faith community. In essence, the elder is a pastor and, therefore, as far as possible, he must relate well with everyone (or, “live peaceably,” as stated in Romans 12:18). The priority of pastoral work is not church reform, events, commissions and programs. All of this is important, but it should not be at the top of the agenda. The priority must be people. Ellen White warned: “Those who occupy the position of undershepherds are to exercise a watchful diligence over the Lord's flock. ... Ministry means more than sermonizing; it means earnest, personal labor.” [2]
Selected by the Holy Spirit
“Among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers” - In the book of Acts of the Apostles, the function of the Holy Spirit is impressive. Here are some aspects: He unites the Church (Acts 2:42-47); He leads the church to witness (Acts 4:31); He directs evangelization (Acts 8:29); He separates (ordains) workers for the mission (Acts 13:1,2); He leads the Church's Councils (Acts 15:28); He distributes and coordinates spiritual gifts (Acts 19: 6). Without the Holy Spirit, there is no testimony, preaching, conversions, or advancement of the work. The elder must always remember that he was chosen by the Holy Spirit, and that means that the nature of his work is of a spiritual nature. That is, the elder must be consecrated and endowed with gifts to exercise his ministry with excellence. Without the Holy Spirit, it is impossible to carry out their work with quality. Mark Finley stated.[3]
Grazing
“To shepherd the church of God” - The church is not a human invention, conducted by human hands, fulfilling human desires. It is the body, and Christ is its head (Colossians 1:18). It is true that, as a body, we have our part to play, but let us never forget that Christ is the one who sustains, blesses and directs this church. Anyone who forgets this is often frustrated and becomes a severe critic of everything the church does. Our prophetic origin, in Daniel 8:14 and Revelation 10:11, tells us that we are not here by chance and that it is worth giving ourselves up entirely to meet Jesus. Remember: when we are aware that God runs the church, any position we take within it is a position of honor.
Salvation
“Which He purchased with His own blood” - The church is a community of saved people who want to save others. Everything else is secondary. Every elder must have a real experience of the grace, forgiveness, and of the power of a transformed life. Every elder needs a deep communion with Christ, as his Friend, Lord, and Savior. It is through this relationship with Christ, and through the desire to share that experience with others, that he positively influences the church to fulfill its mission. Remember: "The church is the repository of the riches of the grace of Christ; and through the church will eventually be made manifest, even to ‘the principalities and powers in heavenly places’ (Ephesians 3:10), the final and full display of the love of God." [4]
We need to get closer and closer to the biblical ideal of what it means to be an elder. This goes beyond organizing details of the worship liturgy or activities that are restricted to the congregation only. I say again: These activities are important, but the laying on of hands to set apart an elder goes much further. The most important marks of the elder's ministry are those that Paul left for the leaders of the church in Ephesus and should be applied to the church of God today.
[1] White, Ellen G., The Adventist Home, p. 301
[2] White, Ellen G., Acts of the Apostles, p. 526
[3] Finley, Mark, O Reavivamento Prometido (The Promised Revival—Portuguese edition), p. 8
[4] White, Ellen G., God’s Amazing Grace, p. 338
Lucas Alves is a pastor and ministerial secretary for the South American Division of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
This article was originally published on the South American Division’s Portuguese news site