Is The Process of Reaffirmation of Elders Scriptural?
Are you thankful it is over? What is over? The constant barrage of political advertisements on television, YouTube, and in our mail. However, if the Lord does not return first, it is coming back. It will happen again every 2 years just like it has since our nation's founding. There will even be special elections and local elections that will happen in the meantime, but now you can take a rest for a while. As temporary citizens of the United States, we understand this is the way our nation is governed. The problem we have though is that some would have the church of our Lord operate like the government in our own land.
Some congregations have imported a denominational practice of reaffirmation of elders. It was recently brought to my attention that a congregation in Arkansas has elected to do this. I attempted to ask one of their elders to describe the process and the authority by which they came to this conclusion. The Lord’s church must have authority for all matters from the Scripture. The Bible commands that we must be ready always to give an answer, prove all things, and examine the Scriptures daily (cf. 1 Peter 3:15-16; 1 Thess 5:21; Acts 17:11). I was greatly dismayed that our brethren there would not answer a simple and cordial request for their reasoning. Upon review of some of their lessons, I found that it was what I had seen from other congregations that have enacted the practice of reaffirmation. The below text is from their website where, above a ballot, were theses words.
“After prayerful consideration of the men whom the congregation has recommended as shepherds, we ask you to pledge your support and intent to follow the spiritual leadership of these four men. Additionally, we give you the opportunity to re-affirm your support to follow the leadership of the current nine elders. Please check the appropriate box next to each name to indicate your level of support as described below:
1. YES – I will support and follow this man’s leadership as a shepherd.
2. NO – I cannot support this man’s leadership as a shepherd.
3. ? – I do not know this man well enough to comment.”
From the Bible, we can see that this is not a Scriptural practice. Can you imagine what would happen in a congregations with a number of naysayers, vain-talkers, unruly men, Judaizers, and the like (cf. Titus 1:9-10)? It is sure that there would be some elders who would be voted out. Despite many attempts to claim that this practice was not voting, one of their elders, who did not receive a favorable response, said he was resigning based on the vote. Since our brethren have added to the Word, let us remember what God has said.
There is no New Testament precedent suggesting a man qualified be reaffirmed. Your elders are not up for reelection every few years to make sure you pledge your support. What Christian has the right to obey only what they want? You are not your own (cf. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20). Reaffirmation is nonsense: If they are qualified, they are qualified. If they cease to be qualified, they resign or, as I wrote last week, God tells us what must be done.
“What does one do when an elder is no longer qualified and will not step down? God’s Word has made a provision on what must take place if an elder is no longer qualified and will not acknowledge he is no longer qualified. “Against an elder receive not an accusation, except at the mouth of two or three witnesses. Them that sin reprove in the sight of all, that the rest also may be in fear” (1 Thessalonians 5:19-20). This is the only way, because this is the only way God gave us through His Inspired Word.”
In closing, the WestArk congregation, nor any other congregation has any right adding to God’s pattern for leadership. This practice unfortunately mimics what is seen in various denominational churches that know not God. As with most error in the church, each member of the congregation must be willing to follow the Word of God and submit to the eldership. This is not to be pledged in some creedal fashion, and certainly not by ballot. Rather, if we would submit to God, we will submit to the eldership. It is written, “Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit to them: for they watch in behalf of your souls, as they that shall give account; that they may do this with joy, and not with grief: for this were unprofitable for you” (Hebrews 13:7). If I am in error in my teaching, I humbly ask you to reason with me from the Scriptures and provide the evidence of why this is the case. Let’s all go to heaven.
Grace and Peace,
R.D. Beavers
