Biblical Eldership Church Leadership

The Acts of the Apostles

Samson—first to deprive you of your strength, then put out your eyes, and finally to make you the subject of his triumph and derision.27

Elders, therefore, must take whatever action is necessary to guard their daily walk with God. They must faithfully engage in daily prayer and Scripture reading. They must guard against any hint of indiffer ence to divine truth. Peter warns, “be on your guard lest, being carried away by the error of unprincipled men, you fall from your own stead fastness” (2 Peter 3217). In the same vein, former Regent College pro fessor Michael Green reminds us that “error has many attractive faces by which even the most experienced may be beguiled.”28 Elders must also guard themselves against being ensnared by the pleasures and cares of this world. They must guard against bitterness of heart, dis couragement, spiritual laziness, and unbelief. They must keep their minds and hearts fixed firmly on Jesus Christ (Heb. 1221-3). In addition to guarding themselves, elders must guard “all the flock,” that is, the local Christian congregation. To effectively communicate his exhortation, Paul employs the familiar, Old Testament imagery of the flock-shepherd relationship. He describes the local church as a flock of sheep that the elders are to shepherd and, especially, to pro tect from wolves. The sheep-shepherd image beautifully illustrates the church’s need for leadership and protection. An essential part of this metaphor is the inseparable relationship between the sheep and the shepherd. Because sheep are defenseless, an unguarded flock is in danger. So there must always be shepherds to keep watch over the flock. Throughout Scripture, a shepherdless flock is deplored and la mented (Num. 27217; 1 Kings 22:17; Zech. 1022; Matt. 9236). The command to guard the flock means that the elders must keep their minds on the church. They must be watchful and observant. They must be attentive at all times to the spiritual well-being of the people. They must watch for people who have wandered off from the flock or for new believers who are struggling to survive. They must constantly be alert to dangers both from outside the flock and from within it. They must know about new trends and doctrines that will influence the people. Great King Solomon gives the same counsel when he writes, “Know well the condition of your flock, And pay attention to your herds” (Prov. 27:23). Finally, we must not overlook Paul’s use of the significant, little

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