Dear BPCWA worshipper, After having written about the Session and deacons, I will discuss the offices in the Board of Elders this week. As you have seen in last week’s candidate testimonies, the Board has nominated Dn Eugene to stand for the office of elder in the upcoming election. Since we do not currently have another elder in BPCWA and this office may be relatively unfamiliar to many of you, I will elaborate more on the Board of Elders today. Please read the pastoral on 13 August for more details on how the BOE functions in a Presbyterian church.

Joint oversight of the church. Elders in the BOE are jointly responsible for the care of the church. It is obvious therefore that the spiritual well-being of the church members must be the concern of all the elders. For the person, it is a serious commitment and responsibility, not about “moving up the ladder”, because God says that elders “watch for your souls, as they that must give account” (Heb 13:17). This is why the duty of elders must always be to have those under them “present[ed] . . . as a chaste virgin to Christ” (2Cor 11:2). Hence, no one should enter this office carelessly or flippantly because it has eternal consequences in that day when they stand before God. Even though I have been in the ministry for a decade, it is still a fearful thought to me. Given the responsibility and expectations, no man is equal for this task unless he is sure of God’s calling to this office. At the same time, oversight also includes the day-to-day affairs of the church. In working with the pastor on the oversight of the church, the elder(s) joins “with the Pastor in the government, administration and discipline of the Church, visiting the sick and sorrowing members, investigating delinquents and endeavouring to remedy any spiritual weakness in the lives of members” (Constitution Article 15.6). The Biblical system is not to have an elder that acts as like a “political opposition member” to counter what is proposed by the pastor or other elders. Rather, he works for the good of the church according to God’s Word. While deacons are servants, working hard on operational areas assigned to them, any elder who takes up God’s call to serve as an elder must be ready to serveintensively in the oversight and administration of the church, and in the care of the church (2Cor 11:28). Moreover, the BOE also carries out discipline in the church, an unpleasant but needed governmental duty when needed.  Hence, to fulfill his role of administrative oversight of the church, the ruling elder must be a person who must make spiritually wise and sound decisions on behalf of the church. To do so, he must be spiritually minded, prayerful, able to apply God’s Word effectively in practical oversight, and ready to make hard decisions for the church based on God’s principles.

What is expected of all elders. Eldership is not just a “title” of promotion attached to the person out of respect for their seniority and gratefulness for their contributions to the church. Instead, it is based upon meeting the Biblical criteria. The qualifications for elders are found in 3 passages in the Bible, namely 1Tim 3:1-7, Tit 1:6-9, and 1Pet 5:3. While the Word is necessary for all church offices, an elder must first and foremost be a man who is “holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers” (Tit 1:9).  Being “apt to teach” in 1 Timothy 3:2 does not mean an elder must be preaching on the pulpit. Titus 1:9 explains that though not a teaching elder (only the pastor is a teaching elder as mentioned in Ephesians 4:11), ruling elders must know, be good hearers, and be apt defenders of the Word of God. He must be apt at using the Word rightly to correct and convince those in error spiritually and doctrinally. If anyone brings in false or divisive doctrines, the Board of Elders will be responsible for setting the wrong right.  Doctrinal fights may be long and painful but every elder must be willing to give of themself to “earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints” (Jude 1:3), whatever the cost may be to himself to protect the church. As overseers, they must have a care for the church, “the flock of God” (1Pet 5:2). While overseeing the church, elders must not simply get things settled and closed so that matters can be out of the way, without care about the short- and long-term consequences. And in decisions that they make, it is not for any form of personal gain, for popularity, or for “filthy lucre” (1Pet 5:2), but as under-shepherds of “God’s heritage” (1Pet 5:3). In short, he must be selfless and do all things for the good of God’s church and His people. They must have the fear of God that every decision they make is what is best for the church in accordance with the desires of “the chief Shepherd” (1Pet 5:4). At the same time, they must have their personal lives ordered by God’s Word. While 1Timothy 3 provides more details of what these specifics are, it all can be summarized by the fact that they are “ensamples to the flock” (1Pet 5:3) by their living. This includes their industry and diligence in service and the rule of their wives and children (1Tim 3:4,5). It is not just because God happens to gift them with a good family, but they must be seen to be actively ruling (mentioned twice) or “presiding over” them. This is so important that the Bible adds that “if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?” (1Tim 3:5) – it is an area that can disqualify one from taking up or continuing as an elder.

What is expected of pastors. While a pastor is an elder, the converse is not necessarily true. All the above that applies to the elder is true for the pastor, but there is a distinction between the office of a ruling elder and a pastor. Because the pastor is called to full-time service, is formally trained in the Word through a Bible College, and spends more time thinking for the church, he has the pastoral responsibility for “the general oversight of the spiritual life, regular service, and ministration of the Sacraments of the Church and the ordination of Elders” (14.5). Being the pastor, he is expected to be “the ex-officio member and advisor of all committees connected with the Church” (14.6). And since he has these roles, he is naturally required to be “the Moderator of the Church Session” (14.7). In addition to the above, the pastor of the church is the teaching elder (Eph 4:11) who labours full-time in the word and doctrine (1Tim 5:17). A faithful pastor must “preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine” (2Tim 4:2). Bitter medicine can be distasteful, but the Pastor must dispense it when needed for the good of souls, even if they may find them unpleasant at times. He must be able to feed the flock, leading them to green pastures to help them to grow and be nourished in the pure and sincere Word of God and not with stories, anecdotes, persuasive philosophies, and charming speeches – however entertaining and desirable the latter may be to the sheep. This is especially important as we are approaching the last of the last days, “for the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables” (2Tim 4:3-4). The teaching over the pulpit will be what will strengthen the whole church (often including the elder) to build the church with solid foundations only upon the Word of God so that it can be “the pillar and ground of the truth” (1Tim 3:15). So in short, the Pastor must be one who has demonstrated that he is able to “feed the flock” (1Pet 5:2).

I want to stress again that I am not putting up an elder to make the BOE “complete”. This must never be the intent of any God-fearing pastor or elder.  Instead, the person must be fully competent, of like convictions with that which BPCWA stands for, have a good Biblically sound mind, and be ready to bear the load. A ruling elder is a role of spiritual oversight and is not just administrative. He must be someone that we trust to continue to move the church in the same direction as the doctrines and values we stand for. The BOE acts on consensus. This is why the elder, just like the pastor, must obtain 2/3 votes to be elected to Session. For unity in the church, it is imperative that the BOE is of one heart and one mind to do all things for Christ’s glory in His body, the church. History teaches us the importance of this in BPCWA.

Yours in our Lord’s service,
Pastor