Eldership for All Ages?

Question: Can it be ABSOLUTELY proven that the organizational governing model of the FIRST GENERATION of Christians, was, is, and will be the BEST model for all people, places, and cultures from now until Christ's return? Or, is the Biblical Eldership model an alternate method that most resembles the organization embraced by the first Christians, but not necessarily the pattern for the church today?

Answer:

First, let us clearly state that we do not base our fellowship with other Christians on whether they practice the same governing model as ourselves. We realize that there are sincere Christians who may never come to the same understanding as ourselves regarding this doctrine. Our fellowship with other Christians is based on two basic teachings, namely, a born again experience followed by a holy life. In other words, we do not make the practice of eldership a test of fellowship.

However, we are strongly convinced that the governing method that was practiced by the early Christians is the same governing method that should be put into practice by Christians in all ages. We believe that the standard for the New Testament church is the New Testament church itself, as described in the books of Acts through Revelation. We realize that there are some scriptural areas of conviction that are personal in nature and that where the Word of God is silent, we have options in matters of conviction and practical exercise; however, for us, the manner in which the church is to be governed is not a matter of our personal choosing or conviction.

The following six items of reason are presented for your consideration.

1.    Other governing methods were practiced in the Old Testament, including a “one-man” system, but all of these methods failed to bring people into a loving and lasting relationship with the Father. Leadership methods involving judges, priests, single leader (Moses-method), and prophets all failed to lead people into a personal relation with God.

2.    Elevating one man above his peers is contradictory to the clear teachings of Jesus in Mark 9:33-37 and Matthew 23:2-12.  The hierarchical governing model always leads to pride, self exhalation, internal power struggles, an elimination or suppression of functioning spiritual gifts among body members, and the creation of an illusionary mediator between God and the “common people”, which in turn causes an unnecessary distance between man and his loving Creator. History clearly shows that when eldership is set aside and a hierarchical governing method is substituted, apostasy and a spiritual decline is always soon to follow. The ultimate result of a hierarchical sprit can be seen in the Roman Catholic Church which today which has no resemblance to the early church.

3.    Eldership is based on fundamental biblical principles such as equality, humility and accountability. All of these are ageless principles that never change and are at the very heart of true Christianity. They are essential to the success of the church, both during the early years and today.

4.    We need look no farther than the Christian world today, including elements within the Church of God reformation movement, to see the end result of non-biblical forms of government. In not heeding His teachings of proper governing, they have taken the responsibility off the shoulders of Christ and have placed it upon their own. The results are a divided and schismatic church with a form of godliness and a whole host of diverse teachings and non-biblical practices.

5.    If we are free to discard the model of church government taught by Christ and practiced by the early Christians, how do we properly draw the line between biblical principles or teachings that are to be kept and those that are optional? It would seem that if Christ’ teaching of church government has become optional, many other less crucial things become optional. This leads to a “pick-and-chose” religion. When clear principles in scripture are discarded and replaced with our own manner of choosing, we lose the standard in which we are to be measured by.

6.    The spirit of hierarchy and seeking preeminence among the brethren was already at work during the closing years of the first century (see Acts 20:29-30). After John returned from the Isle of Patmos where he had received a divine vision of opposing spirits and events that were beginning to take place, and would soon affect the church, he immediately issued the urgent call to go “back to the beginning” (1 John 1:1). The beginning was the very foundational teachings of Christ, which included having a childlike humble spirit and maintaining an abhorrence of exalted spirits. As an example of John’s concern regarding those seeking preeminence among each other, he dealt directly with the spirit of exaltation that was motivating Diotrephes in 3 John 1:9-10. 

Finally, we believe that the better question is; Why would we not implement a method of governing that is based on Christ’ own words and has proven to be overwhelmingly successful, even at the most crucial times in church history. In reality, the burden of proof that God accepts man’s substitutionary governing methods.

Beyond the scriptural support and the above reasoning, it is likely that one of the biggest convincing factors that eldership is the intended governing model for the church today is the fact that it works! We have practiced it since 2006 and the benefits are far greater than we might have even imagined. It has been an avenue that has opened our eyes to many other truths that were previously hidden from us.

While it is not the end-all solution to the many problems within the church world today, it is a huge step in the right direction towards solving them.