Resources/Articles
What Is It Like? (continued)
What Is It Like?
Shawn Bain
What is it like being an elder?
It is like praying and praying, discussing and discussing, or studying and studying about a spiritual matter, then making the best spiritual decision possible. But someone does not like it or doesn’t understand the reason for the decision. Maybe if brethren could see that the elders are trying to bring Christians closer to God, they would understand. If brethren knew how many tears elders have shed watching Christians leave the Lord, then they would be faithful and obey God. Being an elder is like Christians coming to you for help, only to see them leave and make wrong decisions. It is like asking a weak Christian what the elders can do to help, only to have them say, “Nothing’s wrong.”
What it is like being an elder is like brethren praying for you to lead the flock of God but not wanting to be fed (1 Peter 5:1-2). It is like having a “glass house” where everyone sees, hears, and knows what you are doing (Acts 20:28). Being an elder is like trying to keep the church pure and holy by following the pattern given by Christ - the head - and not allowing the church to succumb to the temptation of denominationalism. It is like helping brethren see the plan of God will work, but the brethren do not believe it will (Numbers 13:30-31). It is like asking for brethren to help the church grow in faith, and they say they will, but having few participate (Nehemiah 2:17-18). Being an elder is like putting on the brakes of exciting and ideological brethren whose zeal outruns knowledge and the righteousness of God (Romans 10:3; 14:17). It is like keeping peace and unity when some brethren look for something to bring strife into the church (Philippians 2:1-4).
Being an elder is like holding to the responsibility of shepherding and feeding the church purchased with the blood of Christ in order to keep the church the way God designed her to be (Ephesians 5:23-27). It is like overseeing and ruling Christians with love and sincerity in order to prevent them from being dominating and lording (1 Peter 5:1-4). It is focusing on the growth of Christians in the local congregation without being involved in the spiritual matters and issues of another local body of Christ. It is patience, steadfastness, and constantly leading all the flock to grow in grace and knowledge of the Lord (2 Peter 3:18). Being an elder is like making right but unpopular decisions which are well-pleasing in the eyes of God (Hebrews 13:17). As long as you are an elder, believe what God wants you to do. Trust and hope in His way of being an elder. Have hope in His reward. Do your work with joy. Believe in who God wants you to be. Do your best with the grace He provides.
What is it like being a preacher?
It is like holding to the pattern of sound words in scripture while some Christians would rather you “itch their ears” with what they like (2 Timothy 1:12-13; 4:3-4). Being a preacher is like being told you had a “good lesson,” but those who heard your message are only hearers (James 1:21-22). It is like having a private study with an unbeliever, only to have the person close his Bible and refuse to study anymore (Matthew 13:15). It is like sowing the same powerful seed of God’s word upon different hearts knowing few will allow the seed to grow and produce fruit in their lives (Luke 8:15). Maybe more people would obey if they knew how much a preacher studies to teach the gospel in a sermon or Bible class. Maybe the person would understand scripture better if he knew how much the preacher loved him or her. Maybe more people would put their priorities in order if they knew how much time a preacher spent visiting and praying for the unfaithful.
What it is like being a preacher is like studying “the unsearchable riches of Christ” and being compelled to reveal to others the blessings in the Lord (Romans 1:11-15). It is like understanding the simple truths of God, practicing them in his life, and presenting his life before the world in order to save them (1 Timothy 4:16). Being a preacher is like helping the weak and the strong in a congregation see what can be done in the body of Christ by everyone, not just certain ones (1 Corinthians 12:12-28). It is like not being afraid of those who refuse or mock the message presented, but continue to fulfill the ministry with power, love, and discipline (2 Timothy 1:7). It is like not being ashamed of the power of the gospel to save rather than teaching more about social, political, and economic issues, which fail to change the heart of people (2 Timothy 4:1-2). Preaching is a charge to focus on what is needed, not what is convenient. As long as you are a preacher, believe what God wants you to do. Trust and hope in His way of being a preacher. Believe in God’s word. Do your work with joy. Be a good soldier of Christ. Believe in who God wants you to be. Do your best with the grace He provides.
