Every institution needs leadership not only to set up the vision and goals of the institution but to also give guidance on how to live out and achieve the goals of that institution. Modern leadership training comes in a variety of models, with different emphases depending on the goals of each institution. But Christian leadership is different, and training should be guided by three basic biblical principles or values:
1. The Call to Shepherd
The apostles of the early church give us a good sense of what’s involved in leading God’s people. One of the instructions Paul gives to the Ephesian elders in his farewell speech strongly emphasises the need to shepherd God’s flock, whom God has entrusted to them. “Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood” (Acts 20:28).
But what exactly does this mean?
Shepherds understand that their role involves protecting the sheep.
Well, Peter exhorts fellow elders to shepherd, honestly and willingly (1 Peter 5:2-3); and in light of the end (1 Peter 5:4). His and Paul’s appeals are stark contrasts to the grim shepherding depicted in Ezekiel 34. God rejected those bad shepherds, for their neglect led to God’s people being plundered (Ezekiel 34:8, 22, 28). Shepherds are concerned for the sheep. They understand that their role involves protecting them.
And a significant part of this requires that leaders themselves remain rooted in God’s word (Acts 20:27).
2. Lives Grounded in the Bible
Following on from the previous point, listen to Paul’s words: “If you put these things before the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, being trained in the words of the faith and of the good doctrine that you have followed. Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come” (1 Timothy 4:6-9). Paul says that a shepherd of God’s people is one who himself is feeding on the word of God; maturing in his faith.
So encourage elders in training to immerse themselves daily in the prayerful study of God’s word. Furthermore, exhort them to practice what they read, so that they don’t merely teach what they know but practise and model it too. As much as the gospel should be heard from them, it should be seen in the way they live.
Too many pulpits are consumed with what people want to hear instead of what God has to say.
Because we live in a time where many pulpits have been turned into platforms for motivational speaking, intentional expository preaching and teaching is becoming crucial. The former majors in personal opinions, human desires, and anecdotes. The latter allows God to set the agenda for the pulpit. Too many pulpits are consumed with what people want to hear instead of what God has to say. Those are very different things.
Training elders, therefore, involves constantly pushing them towards being word-centred in both their teaching and their lives. For it’s God’s truth that sets people free (John 8:32). As Timothy Whitmer warns, elders must beware of the “riding of their favourite hobby horses” in the pulpit; or in any area of ministry, for that matter. They must instead be attentive to faithfully interpreting God’s word, avoiding handling verses in isolation and imposing their personal fancies onto the text.
3. Promoting Evangelism
The training of elders must include evangelism as an integral part of their Christian calling.
Evangelism is oftentimes neglected in the local church, basically limiting its ministry to corporate worship on Sundays and maybe additional midweek Bible study. Thus the training of elders must include evangelism as an integral part of their Christian calling, both at a personal level and at the level of their office. Church leaders ought to consciously engage in events and conversations that are intentionally evangelistic. God’s mission is born out of his desire for “all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:4).
An integral part of training elders should be helping them to always have eternity in mind.
Impress the Great Commission onto Christian Leaders
At the heart of any theological basis for raising up elders in the local church stands the Great Commission. Go and make disciples. God calls on elders to be shepherds, grounded in God’s word and given over to the task of proclaiming the gospel. Intentionally returning to those three fundamental theological bases will go a long way towards helping them fulfil Jesus’ commission to the church.
