Drippings from the Honeycomb
More to be desired are [the rules of the Lord] than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb. (Psalm 19:10)
As a lover of history and art, I’ve always appreciated the biblical wisdom conveyed in a sculpture at McMaster Divinity College titled ‘the unknown Baptist minister.’ While focusing on a solitary model vs. the plurality found in Scripture, it nevertheless conveys some classic essentials of what elders do.
Shape Firstly, one notices that the sculpture is shaped like the Cross. An elder is to have a cross shaped ministry and life. His message should be one of pointing sinners to trust in the finished work of Christ in His death, and because the Cross is empty, the Resurrection. His life should likewise be cruciform and full of life, knowing suffering as a servant of Christ and yet victory, for the sake of God’s glory and kingdom. Secondly, one notices the Cross is leafy, symbolizing the pioneer setting of the minister in question in the artwork. Every elder must be incarnational in his setting of ministry, or in all things not sinful become as his inhabitants and congregants. Bottom to Top While ordination usually only accompanies lead-elders, the recognition of an elders’ ministry by the congregation(s) is an important part of his ministry. We do not only operate by the inward call of God, but the outward call of God expressed through His people (Acts 13:2–3). To enter into God’s service is a humbling act. Preaching rightly crowns the elder’s life. Along with prayer (Acts 6:4), teaching is the primary calling of an elder (Ro 10:17). The authority of the Word informs and gives shape to everything else he does. Moving up from the bottom is an essential component stressed in all of the qualifications for elders, the elder’s family life and devotions. To be able to lead God’s people, he must first be able to lead his own (1 Ti 3:4). Left & Right The left and right branches, like the head, largely deal with the outward or institutional elements of the ministry. Centred are the administration of the ordinance of baptism and the Lord’s supper. However, ministry is more than the ordinances, and involves personal study and heartfelt personal prayer (left) and the affectionate catechism of the people, especially children. Centre While preaching may be the head, at the centre is nevertheless something that is vital for an effective ministry--visitation. The shepherd must know his sheep, both to be trusted but also to know how to effectively minister to their need, questions, etc. Taken together, this sculpture encompasses many key ingredients in an elders ministry. Rooted in Scripture, this is what elders do. Have Baptists ever had elders?
In recent times most Baptists have held the pastor-deacon model (where deacons were essentially mini-elders but also had to serve as deacons). The trend towards having elders has gained popularity in recent years as Baptists re-evaluate their polity in light of Scripture. Post-Christianity is helpfully seeing a reformation and reformation in leadership leads to renewal. Initially both English and Scottish Baptists had multiple elders. This is true of the first English General as well as Particular Baptists and well documented in the stories of early Baptists/congregational histories. The Scotch Baptists were the most devout to this practice. In England either due to the want of leaders or the impression (persecution) of the Anglican priestly system, most Baptists adopted an Elder-Deacons model (later this mirrored the city church as a corporation model from the late Victorian period, which increasingly saw the pastor as the CEO). Nevertheless, all early 'pastors' in Upper Canada/Canada West/Ontario held the title 'Elder' and many congregations had a plurality of them or they worked together with congregations as a plurality of missionaries. A professionalization of the clergy in the late nineteenth century also did much to strengthen the solo-pastor model (not that training for elders, or lead elders, is a bad thing). Amongst American Baptists W. B. Johnson advocated for a plurality (1846) while J.M. Pendleton (1867) believed one elder could suffice. In our post-Christian era an increasing number of Baptist churches around the world, especially the UK (sometimes through Presbyterian or Brethren influences) and USA (e.g. 9 Marks), have led the way in returning to a biblical model of plurality. While many denominations have solitary church offices (Catholic and Anglican Priests, Pentecostal Pastors or even Baptists Ministers), the Bible speaks of the office of elder/overseer/shepherd (pastor), which are synonymous (c.f. 1 Pet 5:1–2), as being plural. For example, 1 Pet 5:1 is addressed to the ‘elders’ and Paul installed ‘elders’ in his missions (Acts 14:23) and wrote to the ‘overseers and deacons’ (Phil 1:1). Even Clement of Rome, considered an early Pope by Catholics, spoke of overseers in his letter to the Corinthians (e.g. 1 Clement 42). While there would of necessity always be an elder who acted as a ‘first among equals’ (c.f. Lk 8:41- the synagogue ruler), there was a plural team of elders. This all followed an ancient pattern going back to Moses, the Sanhedrin and the synagogues.
So why in God’s wisdom did He will a plurality of elders. There are at least 6 simple reasons. Perhaps you can think of more:
Further Reading: Jeramie Rinne, Church Elders: How to Shepherd God’s People like Jesus. (9 Marks) The Unknown Minister is an accurate depiction of the roles a pioneer Baptist minister fulfilled in Ontario. One important scene at the centre is that of pastoral visitation. The first Baptist minister in this area, Rev. Alexander Stewart, walked many miles (in all sorts of weather) visiting cabins and families, etc, to catechize (teach), administer ordinances, encourage, etc. Though much has changed in the world in which we minister, this ought to remain a constant principle. Click here toHowever, for as much as I’ve striven to be a visiting pastor/elder this is not the experience of many members. I met a man last year who was new to the church. He had been a Christian for years and attended a solid Baptist church. NEVER in all his Christian life had a pastor/elder ever visited his home! I was shocked and saddened.
In Acts 20 Paul sets his ministry before the Ephesian elders as an example to follow. Chiefly, how he “lived among you” (v. 18), teaching from “house to house” (v. 20) and caring “for the church of God” (v. 28). Elder/overseers/shepherds must be amongst the flock, being an example, knowing and setting a vision, feeding and caring for the flock. While I seek to incorporate this into my ministry I confess many things impede it. There is the steady stream of teaching and necessary meetings, phone calls, etc. Those other related duties or emergency counselling sessions (themselves a form of visitation). There is also the strain of meeting with new members, baptismal candidates, etc. Still, despite the various pressures that would eat away at my time I try to visit at least 2 people/families a week (or in a medium sized church every person/family about twice a year). We also host a Life Group and other fellowship opportunities. I encourage the other elders to regularly contact our members and adherents. However, visitation (or fellowship) isn’t only an elders responsibility. Hospitality is a Christian virtue and practice. Upon their conversions both Lydia and the Philippian jailer both were hospitable to the brothers. And think of how often Jesus visited and dined with people. While some may have the gift of hospitality, the Bible calls all believers to be hospitable. When was the last time you visited or had someone from the church to your home? (maybe even an elder?). |
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