The responsibilities of members toward the elders in a local church are just as important as the responsibilities of the elders toward the church.  Why?  It is because the only way a church with elders will run harmoniously is if the members of the church know their responsibilities toward the elders and are willing to honor them.  A congregation is not going to run smoothly just because it has elders.  Elders cannot lead if the flock refuses to follow.  In this final blog on elders in the Lord’s church, let us look at a few of the duties we have toward them.

Our responsibilities toward elders begin with knowing them.

1 Thessalonians 5:12 (KJV)
¹²  And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labor among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;

Thayer says that the word “know” means, “to have regard for one, cherish, pay attention to.”  The NKJV says “to recognize” them, and the NASB says “to appreciate” them.  That is hard to do if we do not know them.   So, it is the job of every member to become acquainted with the elders as individuals.

As members, we should not be afraid to talk to the elders.  We should ask them for advice, share our problems with them, and have them pray for us in times of need (James 5:14).  Doing these things is easier if we know them.  Furthermore, knowing the elders helps us to understand them better and have more trust in them, which, in turn, helps us avoid getting overly upset every time something happens that we do not like.  It was Will Rogers who said, “There goes a man I don’t like; I think I’ll get to know him.”  When we know someone we are more likely to put confidence in them and be less suspicious if they ever have to correct us.  So, we have the duty of getting to know those who are over us.

Another duty we have is to esteem them (1 Thessalonians 5:13).  Take note that Paul does not just tell us to esteem the elders but to do so very highly.  The N.I.V. says that we must “hold them in the highest regard.”   This emphasizes what kind of attitude we must have toward our elders.  God has always demanded that His people give the proper respect to those that He places in positions of authority (Numbers 12:1-10).

Paul also tells us why we should esteem the elders so highly.  He says it is “for their work’s sake.”  Whenever you find yourself not giving the elders the respect they deserve, stop and contemplate the work that they do—watching over our souls, keeping peace in the church, and protecting the flock against error.  In a nutshell, the elders help us stay on the right track toward heaven.  That alone should increase our love and respect toward them.

Finally, though we have covered this some already, let us be reminded that we must obey and submit to the elders (Hebrews 13:17).  There are two thoughts suggested by the terms “obey” and “submit.”  To obey means, “to listen to, to yield to, to comply with.”  Obedience points to one’s action.

To submit means, “to resist no longer, to give way to authority and admonition.” H.E. Philips says, “to give in to; to be in subjection to the wishes of the elders; to let their decisions prevail over ours.”  This points to having the right attitude.  When we first submit to the elders, obedience comes naturally.  When we obey without submitting, the obedience is probably going to be short-lived and dependent upon our satisfaction with their decisions.

If the elders try to meet their duties and the congregation is always fighting against them, they will not be able to do their work effectively.  Let us all work together for the good of the local church and the overall cause of Christ.

As you wind down for the night, think about these things.