Elders

Part 6 - Affection for All

"Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood" (Acts 20:28). We emphasize the little word all.

A congregation votes to call a pastor. Under his leadership the church moves forward and grows. The pastor always has a different relationship with the people in the congregation who called him than with those who come into the church under his leadership. Both pastor and Session must realize this is the case. This is part of following the injunction, "Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock."

When the pastor brings a new family into the congregation, because this new family is the object of his ministry, there may be a closer relationship with this new family than with other older members of the congregation. This new family may also be the core of new growth. This growth always changes the dynamics of the church family. The pastor and elders must guard against spiritual sibling rivalry.

Older members of a congregation may resist growth. They like things the way they are. Lovingly shepherd all the flock and guide these families into growth. Younger newer families may resent the resistance of older families. Do not promote division. Do not cultivate a following. Lovingly shepherd all the flock.

As mentioned, the pastor will usually have a vested interest in families coming into the church through his ministry. This will also be the case with the elders. This is certainly the case when church members bring new families into the fellowship. In fact, most people actually become part of a congregation, not because of a doctrinal position or the direct ministry of the pastor, but because of a link with a friend or family member. Pastors and elders must recognize this. They must also recognize the dynamics of introducing new relationships into the congregation. The temptations are subtle. It is easy to show favoritism or desire favoritism. The pastor and elders must not cultivate followings but shepherd and lead all the flock.

The pastor and elders must therefore take steps to insure newer members are integrated into congregational life. This may mean special activities providing opportunities to meet, fellowship with, and enjoy the entire congregation. Times of fellowship can be as important as times of teaching. Again, be on guard, pastor and Session. shepherd all the flock.

There is another aspect to all of this. It is perfectly permissible to have a circle of close friends. Jesus sets the pace. He gathered a group of twelve around Him. Peter, James, and John formed an inner circle. John held a special place among them all. Similarly, we all have our own circles of close friendships. So it must be. These friendships ought not to be grounds for jealousy and rivalry. Pastors and elders ought to make it their business to cultivate friendships with one another within the Session. When this occurs, each elder may also have a circle of close friends within the congregation. This provides opportunity for significant division of labor in ministry.

A young intern once asked me if I was perturbed that a member of the congregation went to one of the elders for counsel rather than coming to me. My answer? Absolutely not. The elder was better equipped to handle the problem. I was free to place efforts in other areas of need. There was no jealousy nor could there be. Unconsciously we followed Paul's exhortation. "Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock."