20th May, 2008

LLOYD HARKNESS

There is something very tribal about the office of elders. The concept, the role is immersed in tribal relationships. Before you become an elder you must first be tribal.

BEING OF ONE TRIBE: Lloyd Harkness says the work of elders involves watching over the 'tribe's' welfare and imparting the heart of God to them. PICTURE: Shirley B (www.sxc.hu) "An elder has a connectedness with the people, his people. An elder is of the people, of the tribe. Before you become an elder you have to be born into the tribe and grow and live and breathe the fortunes and fates of the tribe and the decisions your elders make."

An elder has a connectedness with the people, his people. An elder is of the people, of the tribe. Before you become an elder you have to be born into the tribe and grow and live and breathe the fortunes and fates of the tribe and the decisions your elders make.

Elders are ‘centred’ in the tribe. The tribe is who they are. By the time someone becomes an elder, age and experience have merged in their decision making so much so that what is important to the tribe takes precedence over personal wishes, family connections or any other bias. Well...that is the kind of elder you would be praying for.

As Western Christians I wonder if we grasp this interconnectedness which needs to underpin the office of church elder. There is a blood bond involved in things tribal just as there is Christ’s blood bond involved in the life of the church. Not only is there a blood bond but there is an anointing of the Spirit of God, on elders, to impart the heart of God to the tribe.

Tribes (churches) are united under elders who know their place and fulfil their role just as tribes (churches) are scattered when there is a lack of elders who are truly tribal.

The Holy Spirit’s empowering and enlightenment was made available to elders in Old Testament times. The 70 elders who were called to work with Moses, in sharing the government of the twelve tribes, were anointed by God,

If you track the changing course of elders in Israel through the Old Testament era you will find their duties were originally civil but in time religious affairs were absorbed into the role. At one time in Israel’s history elders dealt with matters such as apprehending murderers, settling marriage disputes, hearing pleas for asylum and conducting inquests. At a later stage elders, along with the chief priests, decided whether a person or family needed to be expelled from the synagogue.

With the establishment of the church a new tribal community emerged based of Jesus, its foundation stone. The churches elders, too, were anointed by God to shepherd, instruct and rule. Their role may no longer include apprehending murderers and the like but it is interesting to ponder some of the early incidents in the life of the church in the light of a tribal awareness.

Think about the deaths of Ananias and Sapphira in this light or the selling of goods and having things in common.

The work of elders is to maintain the tribe’s welfare. Anything that causes death, any festering discontent, the provision of a sanctuary for those needing protection or a second chance or enquiring into a matter causing community concern is the business of elders. And doesn’t this sound just like some of the civil roles Israel’s elders performed.

Elders are tribal leaders. When you stand and look back through the history of a tribe you get a sense of those who have contributed to its character and welfare. In that sense the names which fill the ‘hall of faith’, listed in Hebrews chapter 11, are elders. Each person, acting in faith, has contributed to the tribe’s heritage and as such has helped to direct its future.

Christians belong to this tribe, the tribe of faith. The deeds of those who have gone before us, our elders, still shepherd and direct us. Books like Timothy and Titus have much to say to us about the character of elders, those called to govern a church, but a good starting point for contemplating eldership is tribal relationships and continuity.

Faith leaders are to give good counsel and maintain community.

May every church have elders of like mind and spirit. Then Jesus will be honoured, the church will be honoured and they will be honoured.

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