"Eldership"

“Eldership”
I once knew a man that decided to become a fisherman. So he went to the local marina and purchased a boat. The boat was equipped with all the latest devices and gadgets that one might expect to have for the amount of money spent. Though this boat was rated among the leading boats of its kind, it was missing one thing a paddle!
The man was so excited about this new boat, he decided to go right away to the local park located on the river bank and takes his new boat for a spin. After about 20 minutes of motoring downstream, he noticed a sputter or stall in the engine. This continued as the man slowly turned up stream and began to make his way back toward the launch. Through all of the puttering a sputtering of the boat motor, it finally gave up and would not re-start. Though the destination was in sight, this man was in a situation that inexperience boaters would call “downstream without a paddle.”
One might not expect an article on eldership to start out with this tone? It might not seem that fitting until you begin to compare and make analogies. Let us say that the brand new boat is like a young congregation, fired up for God and willing to do the work! And let us say that the motor is a representation of new preacher, right out of preacher training school, and he is ready to do the work also. This new church may have all of the zeal a church needs to grow, but without a paddle or you might say “elders,” it can find downstream and heading out of control.
One of the most vital elements of the church of God is eldership! We as Christian followers of Christ must be in submission to the leading and guiding of our eldership. After all the requirements of an elder is that of great respect (1Timothy 3:1-7). And one having the qualities should be honored and respected, as men of God entrusted with the mighty task and responsibility of leading God’s people.
The next time you have the opportunity, thank the elders of your congregation for all that they do. And always remember that the eldership of the church is like that of the boat paddle. When problems occur, they are the ones to guide you safely to shore.