Dr. Peter Y. De Jong, pastor of the First Christian Reformed Church of Sioux Center, Iowa, is the author of several books and has also served as Professor of Practical Theology at Calvin Seminary from 1964 to 1970. THE OUTLOOK is pleased herewith to present the first in a series of articles by him on Guidance for Elders and Deacons.
SO YOU ARE AN ELDER NOW
Now the “big” day has come for you and hundreds of others in Reformed churches throughout the land—the day of ordination as elder in the church of our Lord Jesus Christ.
To many a church member this may not seem very significant. For you, your family and perhaps many of your friends it will shine like a bright light through the coming years. When first notified of your nomination, you were perhaps inclined to request the removal of your name from the list. After ail, you need time for your daily work, for your family, for some recreation and relaxation. From others you heard of the difficulties and disappointments experienced by those who have served Christ’s church in this capacity. But wisely yon left the matter in the hands of the Lord. Thereupon you were chosen.
Several friends quickly congratulated you. “They said that the vote demonstrated that the congregation liked you, had confidence in you and your judgment. Their reactions made you feel somewhat uneasy. After all, choosing elders for the congregation isn’t a popularity contest. A few who reflected more deeply said they would pray that you might both be and receive a blessing in the work. And while those assurances encouraged you again, they also reminded you of the responsibility which soon would be yours. In the weeks which follow the burden may seem to become heavier, so much heavier that you may wonder how you will be able to carry it through the months and years which lie ahead. That others perhaps with far less formal education and experience in dealing with people day by day—had done the work well gives you small comfort on this day when, in response to the questions publicly presented, you will now answer: I do!
Again you wonder just what will be required of you.
No better way to begin can be found than that of turning again and again, not to the Form for Ordination, the Church Order, or even the counsel of experienced elders, but to the Word of the living God. Let especially Paul’s charge to the elders of Ephesus be your daily guide:
“Take heed unto yourselves, and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit hath made you bishops (‘overseers’), to feed the church of the Lord which he purchased with his own blood. I know that after my departing grievous wolves shall enter in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own se1ves shall men arise. speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them. Wherefore watch ye, remembering that by the space of three years I ceased not to admonish every one night and day with tears . . . In all things I gave you an example, that so laboring ye ought to help the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that he himself said, It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:28–31, 35).
To you is now entrusted Christ’s most precious possession—the church which he bought with his precious blood. It consists of people, young and old with rich and poor in all their experiences, struggles and aspirations. Often they manifest themselves as weak, lacking the spiritual resources necessary to meet the challenges and confusions of life.
The elder deals with the congregation on a person-to-person basis. His concern is for people; therefore he must find himself repeatedly with them. He should be able to say with Ezekiel the prophet, “And I sat where they sat” (3:15 KJ).
But always the elder comes with more than the credentials of friendly concern. To this work he has been appointed by the Holy Spirit. His is a position of official responsibility. He comes in the name and as a representative of the Savior to whom the church belongs. He brings not his own opinions or insights but is called to feed the church of the Lord with the message of his Sender. Only when and in so far as we bring the Word of the living God can we truly help people in the many crises and contradictions of life.
Nor may the urgency of this “shepherding” be minimized.
Paul reminds us as well as the Ephesian elders that the church as God’s flock is always exposed to dangers. False teachers, like grievous wolves, seek from without to scatter and destroy the sheep. Even more deadly are the dangers which come from within. Here men arise who speak perverse things, intertwining falsehood with the truth of God, so that with their apparently pleasant and pious words they draw away the disciples after them.
It comes as no surprise, therefore, that the apostle urges these spiritual bishops or “overseers” to be on guard both with respect to themselves and others in the congregation. So urgent is this calling, that he appeals to his own example. Continually he went in and out among the congregation. Always he came with words of warning, admonition, as well as of instruction and encouragement. And this he did with tears, deeply concerned for the welfare of those entrusted by Christ to his care. No wonder that he terms his service among them a laboring, reminding them once again that it was accompanied always with difficulties and distresses. Above all else, it is a ministry of giving rather than of receiving, one wherein the elder for the Savior’s sake gives himself unstintingly to others.
Today much stress is laid upon discussion and dialogue in the congregation. For this, indeed, there is ample opportunity among God’s people. What may not be forgotten, however, is the basis upon which this alone can be conducted fruitfully. This is complete and continual commitment to the “orders” for eldership so pointedly outlined for us by the apostle. Apart from this our discussions will be a merry-go-round ride which for all its motion gets us nowhere. Nor does Paul in this passage speak about administrative duties which are elsewhere, implicitly or explicitly, assigned to the elders jointly. All the consistorial meetings in the world arc no substitute for the person-to-person contacts to which the elders are called by the Lord. What all this requires will be considered later on, since the practical aspects of the work can be rightly analyzed only when the Biblical delineation of the source, the character and the responsibilities of this high office are confessed.
Looking at yourself you ask with Paul, “And who is sufficient for these things?” (II Cor. 2:16b).
Let your answer be that of Paul and every worthy elder, “And such confidence have we through Christ to God-ward: not that we are sufficient of ourselves, to account anything as from ourselves; but our sufficiency is from God” (ll Cor. 3:4, 5).
SO YOU ARE AN ELDER NOW
Now the “big” day has come for you and hundreds of others in Reformed churches throughout the land—the day of ordination as elder in the church of our Lord Jesus Christ.
To many a church member this may not seem very significant. For you, your family and perhaps many of your friends it will shine like a bright light through the coming years. When first notified of your nomination, you were perhaps inclined to request the removal of your name from the list. After ail, you need time for your daily work, for your family, for some recreation and relaxation. From others you heard of the difficulties and disappointments experienced by those who have served Christ’s church in this capacity. But wisely yon left the matter in the hands of the Lord. Thereupon you were chosen.
Several friends quickly congratulated you. “They said that the vote demonstrated that the congregation liked you, had confidence in you and your judgment. Their reactions made you feel somewhat uneasy. After all, choosing elders for the congregation isn’t a popularity contest. A few who reflected more deeply said they would pray that you might both be and receive a blessing in the work. And while those assurances encouraged you again, they also reminded you of the responsibility which soon would be yours. In the weeks which follow the burden may seem to become heavier, so much heavier that you may wonder how you will be able to carry it through the months and years which lie ahead. That others perhaps with far less formal education and experience in dealing with people day by day—had done the work well gives you small comfort on this day when, in response to the questions publicly presented, you will now answer: I do!
Again you wonder just what will be required of you.
No better way to begin can be found than that of turning again and again, not to the Form for Ordination, the Church Order, or even the counsel of experienced elders, but to the Word of the living God. Let especially Paul’s charge to the elders of Ephesus be your daily guide:
“Take heed unto yourselves, and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit hath made you bishops (‘overseers’), to feed the church of the Lord which he purchased with his own blood. I know that after my departing grievous wolves shall enter in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own se1ves shall men arise. speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them. Wherefore watch ye, remembering that by the space of three years I ceased not to admonish every one night and day with tears . . . In all things I gave you an example, that so laboring ye ought to help the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that he himself said, It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:28–31, 35).
To you is now entrusted Christ’s most precious possession—the church which he bought with his precious blood. It consists of people, young and old with rich and poor in all their experiences, struggles and aspirations. Often they manifest themselves as weak, lacking the spiritual resources necessary to meet the challenges and confusions of life.
The elder deals with the congregation on a person-to-person basis. His concern is for people; therefore he must find himself repeatedly with them. He should be able to say with Ezekiel the prophet, “And I sat where they sat” (3:15 KJ).
But always the elder comes with more than the credentials of friendly concern. To this work he has been appointed by the Holy Spirit. His is a position of official responsibility. He comes in the name and as a representative of the Savior to whom the church belongs. He brings not his own opinions or insights but is called to feed the church of the Lord with the message of his Sender. Only when and in so far as we bring the Word of the living God can we truly help people in the many crises and contradictions of life.
Nor may the urgency of this “shepherding” be minimized.
Paul reminds us as well as the Ephesian elders that the church as God’s flock is always exposed to dangers. False teachers, like grievous wolves, seek from without to scatter and destroy the sheep. Even more deadly are the dangers which come from within. Here men arise who speak perverse things, intertwining falsehood with the truth of God, so that with their apparently pleasant and pious words they draw away the disciples after them.
It comes as no surprise, therefore, that the apostle urges these spiritual bishops or “overseers” to be on guard both with respect to themselves and others in the congregation. So urgent is this calling, that he appeals to his own example. Continually he went in and out among the congregation. Always he came with words of warning, admonition, as well as of instruction and encouragement. And this he did with tears, deeply concerned for the welfare of those entrusted by Christ to his care. No wonder that he terms his service among them a laboring, reminding them once again that it was accompanied always with difficulties and distresses. Above all else, it is a ministry of giving rather than of receiving, one wherein the elder for the Savior’s sake gives himself unstintingly to others.
Today much stress is laid upon discussion and dialogue in the congregation. For this, indeed, there is ample opportunity among God’s people. What may not be forgotten, however, is the basis upon which this alone can be conducted fruitfully. This is complete and continual commitment to the “orders” for eldership so pointedly outlined for us by the apostle. Apart from this our discussions will be a merry-go-round ride which for all its motion gets us nowhere. Nor does Paul in this passage speak about administrative duties which are elsewhere, implicitly or explicitly, assigned to the elders jointly. All the consistorial meetings in the world arc no substitute for the person-to-person contacts to which the elders are called by the Lord. What all this requires will be considered later on, since the practical aspects of the work can be rightly analyzed only when the Biblical delineation of the source, the character and the responsibilities of this high office are confessed.
Looking at yourself you ask with Paul, “And who is sufficient for these things?” (II Cor. 2:16b).
Let your answer be that of Paul and every worthy elder, “And such confidence have we through Christ to God-ward: not that we are sufficient of ourselves, to account anything as from ourselves; but our sufficiency is from God” (ll Cor. 3:4, 5).