Thesis 24- We must elect elders based on biblical criteria rather than cultural criteria.
Ideas, Richard Weaver sagely reminded us, have consequences. They are neither discreet nor inert. We ought not to be surprised when our brilliant new insights beget sundry ripples that we myopically didn’t plan on. Nor should we be surprised that there is nothing new under the sun, that our new insights are often old folly, and the ripples have all lapped up on the shore before, often undermining our foundations.
Consider for a moment the church growth movement. Did Bill Hybels invent the idea that we ought to market the church, rather than proclaim the gospel? Would not Simon the Sorcerer fit in this same mold? How about the believers to whom James wrote, warning them against putting the rich and powerful into seats of honor? These two issues intersect in how too many of us choose our elders. When we adopt a business model for the church, it ought not surprise us that we adopt a business model for choosing elders. And would not that model suggest something like this- if the church is a business, should we not have men who are successful in business running things? In many of our churches we do just that. Our elder boards look more like the local chamber of commerce than living examples of the qualifications listed in I Timothy 3.
There we are told that elders should be blameless, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach; not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not covetous, one who rules his own house well. Notice that nothing is said about being successful in business. Notice as well that not a word is said about being a person who delights to argue obtuse theological issues, or who has an advanced degree. This is the biblical model, not a cultural one.
We elect elders based on what we value. Because we are a part of the broader culture, success in business is high on our list. Because we are a part of a more narrow subculture, wherein spiritual maturity is measured by the number of volumes in our libraries, being up to date on the latest theological controversies is likewise high on our list. What we ought to value is godliness. What we ought to value is men who rule their own houses well. What we ought to value is spiritual maturity, which cannot be discerned by the size of ones bank book, nor the size of ones bookshelves. The business of ruling over the church is not business, but shepherding the flock, guarding the very family of God.
Reformation will come only when we reform our thinking, no longer having it conformed to the patterns of this world. When we cease looking for new insights, and go back to ancient wisdom, we can be confident that there too we will see ripples. These ripples, however, will make known the glory of our King. May God be pleased to renew our minds, and to give us shepherds more faithful than we deserve.