Dear BPCWAians, Over the last 2 weeks, we have been looking at what God requires of Elders, from 1 Timothy 3. As qualifications, these criteria would apply to both the Pastor (the Teaching Elder), as well as to the Ruling Elder. We now come to an important qualification, but yet one that is much misunderstood. While, as we have been seeing, God sets a much higher standard for Elders as compared to Deacons, 1 Timothy 3:2 ends off with yet another essential criteria – that of being apt to teach. What exactly does it mean, and how does it refer to the Pastor and the Elder?
Some think that if an Elder must be “apt to teach”, doesn’t that make all Elders who teach “Teaching Elders”? There are 2 types of Elders in a church 1) Teaching Elders and 2) Ruling Elders (BPCWA Constitution Article 14, 15, 17.1 and also in BP Form of Government, Chapter IV:2). While the church is ruled by the Board of Elders, the Apostle Paul later in the same epistle draws a clear distinction between the Elders. “Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.” (1 Timothy 5:17) While speaking of giving due honour in general to all “the elders that rule well” in the church, he points out differences in their roles, by highlighting in particular “they who labour in the word and doctrine.” The word “labour” here speaks of one who labours with wearisome effort and toil. In using this word, it does not merely refer to one who teaches on the occasion, as many in church may do so whether at Sunday School or other such ministries. This is an Elder who is deeply and constantly involved in proclaiming the Word and promoting the work of the kingdom of God and Christ through the God ordained Pastoral ministry. Paul then goes further to further elaborate on those who are in this latter group, by using the analogy of not muzzling the ox that treadeth the corn, teaching that this latter Elder is a “labourer” who “is worthy of his reward.” Hence, the Elder who is involved in toilsome labour in teaching the Word of God is also the one who is in the fulltime Ministry of the Word – what we call the Teaching Elder or the Pastor. Being an Elder does not necessarily make one a Pastor. God calls into His service those whom He intends to be involved in the fulltime teaching ministry and these Pastors are the teaching Elders, referred to as “pastors and teachers” in Eph 4:11.
Why is it important to understand this differentiation? After all, it’s all in the Board of Elders. The reason is, when members vote for the Elders of the church, they must know and understand the different roles the different Elders are supposed to play in a church. As God requires, the Pastor mustbe involved in the Pastoral ministry of under-shepherding God’s flock in spiritual care. Also, as Chairman of the Board (Article 17.2 of our Constitution) he is overall responsible for the church and mustalso be responsible for the rule and administration of the church. However, his primary priority is ultimately to toil in teaching and doctrine. As Christ called to Peter, God calls out some into the fulltime ministry of the word to “Feed my sheep.” (John 21:16,17) The church in choosing a Pastor must assess if the Pastor is fulfilling what God requires of him, in ensuring that God’s people are nourished spiritually through the faithful and fervent teaching of God’s Word. Through all the ages, God has always set aside some to teach His Word. Those called to Pastoral ministry will have the gift of teaching and preaching. A man who is unable to do so is an unlikely candidate for this role. A Pastor that spends all his time in visitation and fellowshipping, neglecting his God-given teaching ministry, has failed to feed the flock and not fulfilled his role as a Pastor. While there may be physical limitations as to how much and how often a Pastor can teach, he is ultimately responsible for the teaching ministry of the church. Based on these Biblical convictions, we, unlike some other denominations, believe that the Pastor is responsible for the Pulpit ministry. The Pulpit ministry involves ministering the Word to the whole church, and must, as a priority, be undertaken by men that God has called fulltime into His ministry, and equipped through the training of the Word in theological education. When the Pastor does so, he is not trying to hog the limelight or be selfish. Instead, he is merely fulfilling his duty before God of what God requires of those He calls to be Pastors.
So, how then does “apt to teach” apply to Ruling Elders? In the role of an Elder who is expected to be “investigating delinquents and endeavouring to remedy any spiritual weakness in the lives of members,” (Article 15.6 of our Constitution), he must be able to teach such ones. This means that he is must be able to use Scriptures as they are intended, “for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” (2 Tim 3:16). That is why an Elder must first be a learner of God’s Word. One who cannot subject himself to learning under God’s ordained means of instruction in a Church under the Teaching Elder of the church will not be able to work in unity with the Board of Elders and God’s people in church. It is also absolutely essential that an Elder must be able to instruct those who bring in doctrines contrary to our beliefs, defending the truths we teach and uphold. An Elder cannot defend our beliefs if he does not agree with it, nor want to learn about it. Apt to teach implies that he is active in such defence – he must be able to soundly explain the faith and the church’s stand on it, especially if the beliefs of others are in disagreement with the church’s convictions. It means he must be able to help correct erroneous concepts of any who may promote unsound or unconstitutional concepts within the church. The Elder who is not well grounded in the Word and unable to explain and defend the Truth will not aid the unity of the church, but may add to its disunity because he may end up agreeing with those that bring in contrary doctrines to the church. He must be fully convicted, personally, of the Scriptures and what it upholds, because as part of the Board of Elders, he joins with the Pastor in the “discipline of the Church”. In the exercise of discipline, teaching is required. In restoring the backsliding, loving gestures are insufficient, but the very Word of God must be used to convict sinners of sin and return to God. It is not based on human relations nor on skilled persuasion, but on the very Word of God that God’s people must be counselled with. Hence, Biblical teaching is required. This means that an Elder must be one that loves the very Word of God. It must rule his life, for without that he can never teach others to let the Bible rule their lives. He must be fully committed to the faith that we hold on to, for without that he can never effectively counsel the erring ones to repent. The church will be in utter confusion if the preaching on the pulpit teaches against compromise, but an Elder teaches contrarily and encourages compromise with others in the name of “Christian love”. So, to be apttoteach,the Elder must have a high and right view of the Bible and be so committed to the faith that he would join with us in the united and active defence and propagation of it in the lives of the flock at BPCWA.
With all these qualities put together, the Elder is likely to be one who is called upon to teach as the need arises, when those trained in the Word are not available or not able to teach, perhaps due to other teaching engagements. However, we must not get confused. Just because a Ruling Elder mayteach if called upon and may have the gift of teaching, it doesnotmean that he becomes a Teaching Elder, who is by Scriptural definition, is the Pastor. When this difference is not clearly understood, there will be a constant fight for the pulpit and teaching ministries in the church.
So, understanding the 2 roles that God has ordained must give us clarity in choosing Pastors and Elders for the church. While different in roles, they must share a common passion – a love for God’s Word and to promote God’s truth in doctrine and practices, the BP Faith, and BPCWA’s constitution for church unity. This is why one must not elect a Pastor or Elder who does not believe in the church’s stand, beliefs, and practices. If we do so, it will lead to chaos in the Session and the church. It is every member’s duty to God and BPCWA to understand and vote responsibly.
Yours in our Lord’s service
Pastor