Framework

 

The Scriptures give surprisingly little information on how the leadership of the early church was chosen. In fact, only one procedure immediately emerges as obvious:

Elders were appointed, while Deacons were selected by the congregation.

A Biblical Framework

A biblical framework for selecting elders then can be summarized by the following:

  1. He should be thoroughly qualified according to I Timothy 3 and Titus 1.
  2. He should already show evidence that the Holy Spirit has given him a shepherd’s role in the church.
  3. He should aspire to the role of elder and desire to function more fully as a shepherd of the body as a whole.

Then the existing elder board, recognizing that the Spirit of God has chosen such a person to be in a position of leadership within the church, may officially recognize or ordain such a man to set him apart for that work. The process for recognizing deacons can be outlined in much the same way:

  1. The existing leadership should outline the task to be fulfilled by the deacon or deacons. This could be a onetime need or an ongoing one.
  2. The congregation should set forth from among themselves thoroughly qualified candidates to perform that function.
  3. The men so presented should be tested both in regard to their overall qualifications and their ability to perform the specific function in question.
  4. The elders should officially recognize that man as a deacon in order to set him apart for that work.

Beyond this general framework the specifics of soliciting nominations and filling the needed positions are open to considerable variation, since the Scripture issues no direct command as to what method or methods to follow.

Elders: Appointed

In Acts 14:22,23 we are told that Paul and Barnabas came back through the cities they had formerly visited “strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying, ‘Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.’ And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, having prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed.” The word “ordain” or “appoint” is used again to refer to the commissioning of elders in Titus 1:5 and, although not explicitly stated, it seems to underlie Paul’s injunction to Timothy in I Timothy 3:1-7.

Deacons: Selected

In direct contrast, in choosing deacons, the exhortation the apostles give the congregation in Acts 6:3 is set forth from among yourselves men of good reputation” and so on, seeming to indicate some form of the nominating and selecting process. The only further information we have referring to the commissioning of deacons is that they are to “first be tested” (I Timothy 3:1 0) and then allowed to serve if they prove to be above reproach. The first deacons were chosen to meet a particular need in the body. The Apostles designated a task to be done (Acts 6:1-3) and gave the congregation the responsibility of selecting men to accomplish that job.

The Emphasis: Spiritual Qualification

Clearly the emphasis of the Scripture is not upon the method of selection, but upon the qualification of the men chosen. For each off ice Paul gives a detailed list of qualifications to be considered in choosing these men, (see Titus 1:5-9 and Timothy 3:1-13) but no method to follow in selecting them.

 

Summary

In attempting then to find a biblical basis for selecting elders and deacons we are on rather sketchy ground except to say all such men must be thoroughly qualified according to the Scriptures (Titus 1:5-9; 1 Timothy 3:1-7 for elders; Acts 6:3 and I Timothy 3:8-13 for deacons). Elders are appointed while deacons are selected by the congregation. And deacons are to be tested in their role before being formally commissioned to serve.

Additional Observations

To these facts some additional observations may be added. In Acts 20 as Paul addresses the Ephesian elders, he exhorts them to “shepherd the flock of God, over which the Holy Ghost has made you overseers…”While these men were appointed to their positions by an apostle or an apostolic representative, it is also evident that these men were chosen by the Holy Spirit and gifted by Him for their role in the church. In a sense they had first been tested, too, in that they had a shepherding ministry in the church even before the apostles laid hands on them.

The apostles then did not bestow any special gifts or ministry on the man they appointed as elders. Rather, they recognized the work of the Holy Spirit in raising up certain men as shepherds over the flock, making that position “official” and conferring their support of the ministry they saw in these men’s lives by the laying on of hands.

To this a third factor can be added. From I Timothy 3:1 it is clear that a man should aspire to the role of elder if he is going to be appointed to function in this way. Peter underscores this principle when he asks elders to serve “voluntarily” and “not under compulsion.” (I Peter 5:2) If a man is reluctant for any reason, even if in false humility he holds himself back from the role of older thinking he should be drafted first before showing an eagerness to serve, such a man should not be considered as an elder candidate.