Elders as Pastors by E. K. Slade

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D.C. · Dec 29, 1910

Elders as Pastors

By E. K. Slade

FAITHFUL, godly men are needed as elders in our churches. I do not know what could have a greater influence for good or for evil, as the case may be, in connection with the movement with which we are connected, than the sort of men who serve as elders in our local churches.

An elder is not simply an officer placed in a position to be recognized as a head; but a true elder stands as a spiritual leader and guardian of the flock. All that a true shepherd should be in the way of protecting, feeding, and safely leading his flock, the elder, in a spiritual sense, is to be to the church. Many elders have been contented to have the responsibility placed upon them, but they have failed to bestow the kind of labor required upon members of the flock who were in danger. There are many in our churches who should be labored for in a kind and careful way; there are also those who should be counseled, and cautioned, and even corrected, in a kindly spirit; but too often cases needing such help are neglected until they have wandered far away, and complications come in until there seems to be no remedy for the condition that exists.

Prompt and proper labor by an elder and such associates as he might call in, would no doubt save many who drift away. With such care, too, many defeating church difficulties might be avoided, which bring a reproach upon the cause, consume the valuable time of our ministers, and bring discouragement to many souls.

The importance of the elder’s work has been underestimated. The strength that his faithful work should bring into the cause has not been fully realized. Where there is a wide-awake, intelligent, consecrated, and caretaking Christian elder, there is a prosperous church. A whole conference of such churches will represent a state of prosperity meaning much to the cause. The elder who acts as a faithful shepherd, giving much time to prayer and to faithful personal labor for his flock, is filling a place of great importance in connection with this closing work, and he may be sure that his labors will not be in vain.

No faithful elder will be contented to see members of his flock habitually remaining away from public services, and coming far short of what should be required of church-members, without promptly investigating their cases, and laboring for them with a love that wins. Usually the one wanderer calls for more solicitude and painstaking labor than do the ninety and nine that seem to be safe within the fold. Too many times it is taken for granted that the younger members of the flock are perfectly safe, when they should have special care. Shepherds are required not only to feed the sheep, but also the lambs. Many times the lambs receive so little attention that we could with no reasonable expectation hope for them to stand.

If you have accepted the eldership in one of our churches, dear brother, you have consented to enter upon a work that affords splendid opportunities for laboring for souls, and for advancing the cause that we all love. May the Lord make you a true shepherd of the flock. E. K. SLADE.