Why God Invented Elders

Why God Invented Elders Ligon Duncan Titus 1:5-9

We already have a divinely inspired model for ministry in the pastoral epistles.
The people of Crete were being transformed by the culture – Paul writes to Titus to tell him how to deal with these matters. He offers apostolic counsel on how a church can deal with pressure to conform to the world.
If God’s people are to adorn the gospel of God in all things, then they need godly elders, who by example in their homes and character, and in their teaching to show people how to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.
Why did God invent elders? For . . .
1. Discipleship
v. 5 - The reason I left you in Crete was that you might straighten out what was left unfinished and appoint elders in every town, as I directed you.
Shows the discipleship work of godly men who were necessary for the welfare of the church.
Note the plurality of elders – Paul does not exhort Titus to appoint an elder, but a plurality of godly elders.
v. 7 – the elders are overseers. They are appointed for discipleship in the local church – Christian discipleship takes place in the local church. This involves the careful ministry of elder shepherds – that is what elders are for.
In our day it is common for elders to see themselves as a spiritual board of directors. We must not denigrate the administrative function of elders, but we must never let this overshadow his role as a discipling shepherd.
2. Example
Elders are to be an example in two areas:
1. In home life – v. 6
v. 6 shows the importance of faithfulness in the home. These men are examples of what a Christian is like in their husbandry and parenting.
These are those whose children share their faith. If this is what God wants in all the church then it is essential that the elder’s homes show what it looks like to be a Christian in the family.
2. In character – vv. 7-8
vv. 7-8 – when the world says that the reality of the church as embodying the gospel is a lie the church is to be able to point to the elders and say “there are examples of lives transformed by the gospel.” Elders are to be the proof of the power of God in the lives of men.
The elder’s character is a witness to the truth of the gospel.
Paul shows how people can be gripped by sins of the self in verse 7 and says that elders are not characterized by such things.
The elder must love people and he must equally love truth and virtue.
Every qualification in this list has to do with behavior in the home and with character, not a person’s place in society.
Notice that it is godly men that Paul is calling to step up to the plate here.
3. Doctrine.
v. 9 – elders are for the conveying of truth and the confronting of error.
Elders must be orthodox – able to teach and defend the faith. Not only an assent to the truth, but an embrace of the truth. If you don’t love truth you can’t love people the way God calls you to love people.
They are able to convey the truth of the Christian faith. This does not mean that they have to have pulpit power. Elders have different ways of teaching. They don’t have to be grand orators, but they do have to be competent to teach.
Ability to teach is the only competency, outside of the family life and character, which elders are required to have.
Elders are also to be able to warn people against the errors that are the enemies of their soul. They are zealous to defend and promote sound doctrine.
Elders, along with all the heralds of God’s word, will one day stand before God to give an account for how they have shepherded the people of God.