YEARS & NO ELDERS YET???

“For this cause left I thee in Crete…”

Titus 1:5

In Crete but not ordaining

One of the things that has baffled me in recent years is how an Evangelist can labor somewhere for years and establish no biblical leadership.   These can be some of the same men who are blunt and adamant about other fundamental points of doctrine and preach them with great fervor and power.  These are often men who can have sterling reputation throughout the limited brotherhood of the C.o.C.   (I say limited because often when many think of the brotherhood are not thinking universally).  This blog entry will not sit well with some who prefer an autocratic style of leadership, however, elders and deacons are just as much part of what makes up the New Testament church as is worship.    In a previous article that I’ve written entitled *“why some won’t ordain”  I explored various reasons why some Evangelists make no effort to train and ordain leaders in the church.  One of those reasons explored was the horror stories of Bishops (I use synonymously with “elder” in this article), who attempt to Lord over the flock including the very evangelist that trained and ordained them.   This definitely ought not to be so!!!!  However, there is still no biblical justification for forsaking this aspect of the work of an Evangelist.    The apostle Paul was crystal clear when he said to Titus in Titus 1:5 “For this cause left I thee in Crete that thou should set in order the things that are wanting and ordain elders in every city as I have appointed thee”.   In principle,  Titus had a purpose and Paul had an expectation.   He was left, or better yet, “left behind” in Crete to do what Paul appointed him to do.  The implication is that 1) It would take Titus some time and 2) It would be by way of process.   Paul already establishes with Timothy not to lay hands on no man suddenly (1 Timothy 5:22) so it’s no surprise or wonder why Paul literally “left” Titus in Crete to ordain Elders.   I believe that part of the process of ordaining elders was training.  By training I mean the committal of the word to faithful men who in turn could teach others also (2 Timothy 2:2).  There is legitimacy to those who say that it takes time to ordain.   Impulsivity has no place when it comes to ordaining elders.  However, how many generations does it take to train and ordain elders?  Whatare we really doing in Crete?  Are we establishing ourselves in Crete?  Are we acting as dictators in Crete?  How could it be that several generations come and go in the “Crete” of a congregation and no one is qualified for leadership?   If an Evangelist can be some place for years and no one qualifies… is it a testament of the inaptitude of the brethren or the inaptitude of the evangelist to train the brethren?  If Titus had no intention of ordaining then why should we be left in Crete?   These are just a few of the questions that should be answered to examine what’s happening in the modern day Crete of our congregations via the modern day Titus’s.    If a congregation does not know better,  it will settle and sit idly by while one generation after another grows up and moves out of the congregation with the congregation having the minister as it’s sole official government under Christ.  Intimidation can often used by the evangelist to keep the church in this pitiful leadership-less rut.   This is the same tactic used by some false denominational preachers who don’t want to be questioned about their doctrine.  Hmmm… go figure. 

Having ministered to the Mountain View Church for the last ten years I have been given front row tickets to the purpose of qualified, trained leadership.  While I’ve ministered to the masses, the Bishops ministered to the individual sheep.  Attempting to keep up with every baby born, every elderly person sick, every graduation, every marital spat, every potential wolf or thief of the flock all while maintaining their own lives and families is not a task that can be accomplished by one person; and it can even become overwhelming for a group of men depending on the size of the congregation.     Can a congregation grow and be successful without elders??  One analytical look throughout our brotherhood would reveal various congregations that are “successful”  without elders but please know that successful does not always mean “effective”.   While there are some who are content with success,  being the high regard of the brotherhood,  the Lord is calling us to be effective, being the impacting reach of the neighborhood.   I’ve heard it suggested from the pulpits of some of our national lectureships that the preacher should be questioned if he is not preaching the gospel… to which I am in complete agreement with.  However,  let me make this addendum;  that the if the Evangelist has been left in Crete for decades and there are still no elders… then just what is he doing in Crete?   Not written to offend…but to empower.   

*Request article entitled “Why some don’t/won’t ordain”.