Eldership and Leading by Example

I’ve been wanting to do a little writing about being an Elder in a congregation of the Lord’s people. You can read in the scriptures details about the qualities of men required to be an Elder and the work that Elders do. I want to add to those things some things I have learned about being an Elder. I don’t presume to know everything and in fact find that with every year that passes I am still learning.

David Smitherman and I were selected by the congregation to be Elders on July 20, 1997. Three years later on June 18, 2000, Gus Cargile and Bill Chambers were added by the congregation. I was 43 years old when I was selected… that’s pretty young.

One of the huge things about being an Elder is you have to lead by example. A blood brother to that concept is that congregations will never rise (generally) above the level of their leadership. So we have to not only lead by example but also the example must be at a very high level.

If we want the congregation to be hospitable we have to be hospitable. If our level of hospitality is just shaking hands and making a little conversation then that’s what the congregation will do as well. That’s the level that a lot of congregations perform at.

If we want the congregation to attend well then we have to attend well.

If we want the congregation to be students of the Bible or teachers or preachers… so must we.

If we want the congregation to care about widows, children, the old, the lonely, the sick… so must we.

If we want the congregation to care about the lost… we must be obsessed with it.

If we want the congregation to pray and engage in heart felt prayer and to pray at every opportunity… that must be our example.

If we want the congregation to be generous with our money and time… we have to demonstrate generosity and the sacrifice of our time and our lives.

If we want the congregation to own up when they make mistakes… then we also must be accountable.

Men who have a desire to be Elders should prepare themselves by emulating these concepts. Shepherds must labor among the flock and be intimately known by the flock. The flock needs to see that its Shepherds are willing to make any sacrifice necessary for the benefit of the flock. I’m not the Shepherd I was 16 years ago hopefully, if the Lord wills, I will continue to learn. I hope this helps.