The Church Elder - Miscellaneous
Sister S, your husband might be of some use in the church if your influence were what
it ought to be. But your example and influence disqualify him to exert a sanctifying
influence in the church. Home influences more than counteract his efforts for good. You
are wholly unqualified to be the wife of an elder of the church. God calls upon you to
reform. Your husband has a work to do to set his heart and house in order. When he is
converted, then can he strengthen his brethren. 2T 316
In many places we meet men who have been hurried into responsible positions as elders
of the church when they are not qualified for such a position. They have not proper
government over themselves. Their influence is not good. The church is in trouble
continually in consequence of the defective character of the leader. Hands have been laid
too suddenly upon these men. 4T 406
[ Selection of Leaders ] The apostle Paul writes to Titus: "Set in order the
things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee: if any
be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or
unruly. For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God." It would be well for
all our ministers to give heed to these words and not to hurry men into office without due
consideration and much prayer that God would designate by His Holy Spirit whom He will
accept.
Said the inspired apostle: "Lay hands suddenly on no man." In some of our
churches the work of organising and of ordaining elders has been premature; the Bible rule
has been disregarded, and consequently grievous trouble has been brought upon the church.
There should not be so great haste in electing leaders as to ordain men who are in no way
fitted for the responsible work-men who need to be converted, elevated, ennobled, and
refined before they can serve the cause of God in any capacity. 5T 617
The gospel net gathers both good and bad. It takes time for character to be developed;
there must be time to learn what men really are. The family of the one suggested for
office should be considered. Are they in subjection? Can the man rule his own house with
honour? What character have his children? Will they do honour to the father's influence?
If he has no tact, wisdom, or power of godliness at home in managing his own family, it is
safe to conclude that the same defects will be carried into the church, and the same
unsanctified management will be seen there. It will be far better to criticise the man
before he is put into office than afterward, better to pray and counsel before taking the
decisive step than to labour to correct the consequences of a wrong move.
In some churches the leader has not the right qualifications to educate the members of
the church to be workers. Tact and judgement have not been used to keep up a living
interest in the work of God. The leader is slow and tedious; he talks too much and prays
too long in public; he has not that living connection with God which would give him a
fresh experience. 5T 618
Such arrangements should be made for the little companies accepting the truth as shall
secure the prosperity of the church. One man may be appointed to lead for a week or a
month, then another for a few weeks; and thus different persons may be enlisted in the
work, and after a suitable trial someone should be selected by the voice of the church to
be the acknowledged leader, never, however, to be chosen for more than one year. Then
another may be selected, or the same one may be re-elected, if his service has proved a
blessing to the church. The same principle should be followed in selecting men for other
responsible positions, as in the offices of the conference. Untried men should not be
elected as presidents of conferences. Many fail to exercise proper discernment in these
important matters where eternal interests are involved. 5T 619
May the Lord impress upon the minds and hearts of all connected with the sacred work of
God, the importance of ascertaining whether those who are to minister as deacons and
elders are suitable men to be entrusted with the flock of God. Jesus calls Himself the
"Good Shepherd." He does this in contrast with those who occupy positions of
trust in connection with the church, but who have no right to these places, because they
put a wrong mould upon the work. What is natural will appear. 7BC 914