“He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it. For there are many who are insubordinate, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision party. They must be silenced, since they are upsetting whole families by teaching for shameful gain what they ought not to teach.” (Tit 1:9-11)
In the turbulent days of the Scottish Reformation, John Knox emerged as a titanic figure. Before he became known for his fiery preaching, Knox served as a bodyguard for George Wishart, a minister whose Gospel preaching transformed Knox’s life. Wishart was under constant threat of the Roman Catholic powers in England. There is a wonderful painting depicting Knox and Wishart walking along a road. Wishart, engrossed in conversation, walks behind Knox, who strides ahead carrying an enormous broadsword over his shoulder, eyes fixed on the horizon.
In many respects, this captures a central element of the Ruling Elder’s calling. In times of blessing, being an Elder is a joy and a light burden. But when trials come, the church needs men of Knox’s caliber–resolute, courageous, and ready to defend the gospel.
Not Always Easy Days
The calling of a Ruling Elder is profoundly rewarding. Many of us have strengthened a family through biblical counsel, encouraged a struggling believer, or led a congregation in prayer. We hear gospel testimonies in accepting new members, listen to the professions of faith of those coming to the Table, and talk to parents about baptizing their covenant children. Many of us teach in Sunday school explaining God’s Word and applying Gospel hope to hurting hearts. These moments remind us that eldership is not only a duty but a privilege. It is a blessing to witness God’s grace transforming lives through our service but it is not always easy.
Faithful ministers often bear scars. The Teaching Elder, charged with proclaiming God’s Word, can face opposition from the very flock he seeks to shepherd. As 2 Timothy 4:3 warns, “itching ears” resist sound teaching. Hebrews 4:12 describes the Word of God as “living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword,” piercing to the core of human hearts. Yet, some reject this divine surgery, preferring comfort over conviction even as sin’s cancer spreads.
In such moments, the minister will be called harsh and legalistic and at other times soft and antinomian. His character will be maligned and his ministry undermined by rumors. His faults will be magnified and his virtues minimized. Here, the Ruling Elder’s work is critical: defend the faithful ministry of the Word.
Ministers face enormous pressures from moral relativism, cultural pressures on sexuality and gender, and even financial threats resulting from faithful preaching. Ruling Elders have the privilege of coming alongside Teaching Elders, to encourage and strength them, praying with them and for them, along with sharing their burdens.
Elder: Defender Of The Church
The office of Elder has little room for cowards or people-pleasers. Within the church, one can find goats who push against the sheep, wolves who devour, and even sheep who bite back. While he must not be quarrelsome or contentious, the Ruling Elder must be willing to contend for the gospel and rebuke–even appropriately silence–those who would harm the flock. Consider Christ: He endured insults with meekness but even now burns with hot jealousy and zeal to protect His bride.
Husbands, doesn’t this resonate? You might suffer nearly anything yourself, but the thought of harm to your wife ignites righteous indignation. So it ought to be with the Elder. While the Elder ought to be willing to suffer all sorts of personal dishonor–even foregoing defending themselves on occasion–they must be vigilant to defend the body of Christ.
False teaching, now as it was then, is a danger to families. Paul warns that deceivers–particularly legalists clinging to the shadows of the old covenant–would rise up from Titus’ own congregation to upset entire households. They were teaching for personal gain what was contrary to the Gospel. These false teachers would destroy the sheep, leading them into a barren desert far from the rich pastures of grace and the still waters of the truth. By contrast, the Elders must “care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood” (Acts 20:28). Peter warns “there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies” (2Pet 2:1).
Danger can also arise from within the church’s leadership. In Galatians, Paul recounts having to strongly rebuke Peter for separating himself from the gentile believers, showing that even apostles were not immune to error. If Peter was not safe from straying from the truth, we too are vulnerable. Ruling and Teaching Elders must hold each other accountable, scrutinizing both our practice and the doctrine preached from the pulpit. Some churches select Teaching Elders, not because of their ability to shepherd, but because they “get things done.” They are powerful leaders, men who dominate. In an age of softness and laxity, this kind of man can be attractive but if not careful they can be like the shepherds of Ezekiel 34:2-4. Instead of feeding God’s flock they feed themselves and break bruised reeds and quench the smoldering wicks. Ruling Elders must protect the flock from those who, by doctrine or practice, distort the gospel and prey upon those they should be praying for.
Elder: Defender Of The Pulpit
How do we safeguard the pulpit? As a horse owner, I’ve spent hours sweating, building and maintaining fences–not to restrict their freedom, but to protect them. These fences keep them from wandering away into the road. It also keeps predators out. Similarly, the Reformed tradition’s confessions and catechisms serve as our doctrinal and practical fences. They guard the church from wandering into error and bar false teachers from entry. When Elders vow to sincerely receive and adopt our standards, they commit not only to give them lip service, but to apply them diligently.
When sound doctrine is attacked, when biblically faithful living is slandered as bigotry, when the Word of God is mocked as falsehood, Ruling Elders must be willing to stand, locked arm-in-arm, resolute in defense of the pulpit. The stakes are eternal. The church is not merely a gathering of people but the Bride of Christ. This Bride is entrusted to Elders for safekeeping. With the spirit of John Knox, let us hold fast to the trustworthy Word, protect the flock, and guard the proclamation of the Gospel with unwavering courage.
