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.
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Taken together, this sculpture encompasses many key ingredients in an elders ministry. Rooted in Scripture, this is what elders do. 

While we may not all be preachers or elders, the following word is directly applicable to those who are and indirectly to those that are not as they seek out and seek to cultivate genuine ministers of the Gospel.

The Chapel I served in England was not structurally fancy. It was built in 1819 of plain stone. Its expansions over the years were practical and yet of good quality. Thankfully the building was not a designated historical building which enabled us to make any changes without hassle. We sought to modernize the building yet not without compromising its heritage. One change we made when we introduced A/V was to move the historic plaques on the front wall in the Chapel. There is a certain theology of architecture and this said that we worshipped our past. Valueing our past we moved these marble plaques to the rear of the Chapel and put an elegant and yet simple cross on the front wall. In this way we not only made space for a blank area on which the lyrics of songs could be projected, but fixed our eyes on Jesus with the cloud of witnesses behind us (Heb 12:1–2a).

Though our Chapel had few unique features it did have one, one rich in theology and one that we kept. It was so unique that no one, including visiting preachers or even myself, had ever seen the likes of it anywhere else. On the wood panelling of the balcony facing the pulpit was a Georgian (pre-1837) plaque noted in the picture above. In old KJV English it read:

Thou therefore gird up they loins, and arise, and speak unto them all that I command these; be not dismayed at their faces, lest I confound thee before them. (Jeremiah Chap. 1 Ver.17)

In contemporary English it is translated:

But you, dress yourself for work; arise, and say to them everything that I command you. Do not be dismayed by them, lest I dismay you before them. (Jer 1:17, ESV)

At first glance this appeared rather an odd text. Why not something more along the lines of “woe is me if I preach not the Gospel” (1 Cor 9:16) or “preach the word in season and out of season” (2 Ti 4:2). Yet on a closer inspection this verse is of great relevance for it reminds the preacher, and any interested in truth, to fear God above pleasing man.

Jeremiah had a very difficult ministry. He had to speak God’s truth into the deteriorating covenant relationship between God and Judah just before the Babylonian invasion. Yet it was only this biting ointment that could be a balm for their wounds.
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The Lord gave Jeremiah four commands:

1. DRESS- Literally, “gird up they loins,” meaning tie up your robe so your legs will be free and ready for work. There are many who desire the glory of ministry without first mucking into the work of ministry. They are like “toy soldiers” who really want the medals without ever actually seeing combat. The glory of the reward for Gospel work only comes after engaging in the battle, and ultimately after the war. Writing in 1897 James Culross from Bristol, England spoke of the true path to usefulness. He said:
   1. “unlike those most useless persons in Christian circles who are always waiting for great things to do, and who neglect the opportunities which lie to their hand, young Ryland always did the little which lay to his hand, and found that by doing the ‘next thing’ life became rich in opportunities of usefulness.”[1]
2. RISE- While every command here involves faith and obedience, this is perhaps most clearly seen in this command. While we may prepare for work either mentally, physically, emotionally or spiritually, this is the moment we must have faith and put that faith into action. How often does a soldier arise for a mission only to see it is raining or snowing or a difficult mission in which he is likely to be shot at? In the face of unpleasant circumstances we can shrink back from the call, but if we are to be faithful we must trust and obey no matter the situation.
3. SAY- A primary role of the elder/pastor is teaching, preaching and discipleship. We are not called to present our “cool” thoughts or depend upon the latest trend but to fulfil the Great Commission by declaring the “whole counsel of God.” (Acts 20:27).
4. DO NOT BE DISMAYED- This can be difficult when what God is calling you to say is unpopular in the prevailing societal or Christian culture. It is not always easy to draw out from the texts its meaning and declare this to the world (exegesis). It is all too tempting to do eisegesis and read into the text what you or your audience may find pleasing to hear. But the minister must fear God above man to be faithful to his calling. No matter the perplexed, angry, bewildered, astonished, or even sleepy faces, we must speak; speak no matter the consequences. Jeremiah spoke and he was derided, imprisoned and ultimately exiled. But that is exactly why he was fruitful in the ministry God had called him to and why he is still remembered today. Declare the word of God come what may! We must do this for the alternative is dreadful, “lest I dismay you before them.” If we please God he will be pleased with us, yet if we cross Him he will be cross with us. James  3:1 says “not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.” If we fail to convey God’s truth we will never have the ministries we desire, ones that bring God glory and are fit to be blessed by Him. If we fail to speak God’s Word, rather than coming across as a man of God we’ll be made by Him to be shown for exactly what we are, frauds. If we lie, deceive or conceal, God may judge us harshly in this life and certainly in the next.

So if you preach, or if you are responsible for encouraging preachers, remember this word to the minister from Jeremiah 1:17 to speak the whole counsel so people, including yourself, may be made wise unto salvation (2 Ti 3:15).


[1] James Culross, The Three Rylands (1897), 73.