An Ever Increasing Need
Most, if not all, of our problems in the church spring or can be attributed to a poor, unqualified eldership. When the eldership proves inefficient and becomes dilatory in the discharge of its divine duty, conscientious Christians will proceed along scriptural lines to discharge their individual obligations. Too often hearts are discouraged by an indifferent group of men posing as elders. Young men and women often meet discouragement because the eldership does not possess the initiative to set up programs of work, teaching and benevolence. Too many times individuals run from such a disorderly and confused condition. Others put up with the condition not knowing what to do that will be for the good of all concerned. On the other hand there are those who possess a keen sense of obligation and will proceed to discharge their responsibilities in an individual way. It is not true that Christian individuals are to bow to every decree and dogma of the eldership. We are to bow to Christ and not to man. Neither is it truth that the decisions rendered by the eldership are to be influenced or modified by the wants and wishes of the congregation. There are many brethren in the brotherhood sensible enough to be elders but lack sufficient sense to know when such a condition, as just mentioned, prevails. The same could be said of any condition that may exist where the eldership is swayed and influenced by the preacher. Such terminates into the 'pastor system'! Of a truth, such a lack of vigilance and soberness disqualifies the most conscientious men who might aspire to be elders.
In all probability a millennium of mistakes has been made in regard to the office of elder. One of the most conspicuous is continuing to be made. It springs from a lack of appreciation and knowledge of the eldership. It has been a common mistake though not always, to encourage the very best material in the Church of the male members to become public proclaimers of the Word. Perhaps, this is done out of a felt and pressing need for preachers without a realization of the great and ever-increasing need for elders, men approved of God.
There are problems of an internal nature facing the Church of our Lord today. These are problems that are increasing in their demand for attention. Possibly being shared with others is my firm hope and desire that one of the end products and good results which we pray will be forthcoming will be the keen awakening of every individual who calls Jesus, Lord to the need of and importance of a divinely sanctioned and qualified eldership. Only with such an eldership can the mountain be resolved into a mole hill and error be supplanted with truth.