Relationship between Preachers and Elders

What should it be like? Does the preacher work for the elders? Do the elders have authority to tell the preacher what to preach? Is it a case where the both parties hold each other equally accountable? At what point do we try to copy the NT church exactly and when do we recognize the differences between 21st Century churches and the different style of localized minstry in the NT?

Feel free to answer any of these questions. Just wanted to throw it out there because these issues come up every now and then.

Q from a Catholic: What is an "elder" and what church are we talking? Mormon?

Not sure about "Elders". In the Methodist Church there is a PPR (Pastor Parish Relations) Committee.

The Staff-Parish Relations Committee is the administrative unit in a local church where staff and congregational interests are integrated to focus on the mission of the church.

The "Pastor-Parish Relations Committee (PPRC)" is truly a Staff-Parish Relations Committee (SPRC) because the committee relates to all staff, both bishop-appointed staff and employed staff....The S/PPRC has some of the same functions of a personnel office or Human Resources department in other organizations.

The S/PPRC has primary responsibility to work with staff so that the mission of the church is realized. The S/PPRC should have a clear understanding of your local church's mission and vision, built upon the mission of the wider Church. Clear understanding of your church and prayerful listening to God's direction will guide both the development of job descriptions and the assessment of staff.

This committee does the yearly evaluation of the Pastor and submits it to the District Supervisior, so if there is an issue with the direction of the message or sermons they would be able to speak to the Pastor about it and untimately evaluate him on his performance. In the UMC, Pastors are assigned not called or hired by each local church...so a bad eval could see them getting reassigned.

Originally Posted by Clyde

Q from a Catholic: What is an "elder" and what church are we talking? Mormon?

In Titus and Timothy, Paul's letters to the churches were to establish men as elders who were to be overseeers of the church and lead the flock. That word used could be translated as Bishop, Elder, Overseer, Pastor. These men were to meet certain qualifications and were to serve as spiritual leaders of the church.

In those same letters, Paul urges the selection also of deacons, men who met a similar set of qualifications and who were to be workers, or servants within the church.

Whether any of us desire to be elders or deacons or not, those qualifications listed would be a great measuring stick for us to self evaluate ourselves as Godly men, IMO. If my memory serves me, there are 23 qualifications in all for elders and deacons.

To answer the question, IMO the preacher should work within the direction and authority of the elders, as should all the rest of us. At least that is the way I understand the directions given in the new testament for the first century church.

Originally Posted by Clyde

Q from a Catholic: What is an "elder" and what church are we talking? Mormon?

Elders are seen as spiritual leaders and role models within the Christian Church (independent churches like Lakeside or Plum Creek) for the congregation. Elders are not paid usually serve terms.

Originally Posted by Watusi

In Titus and Timothy, Paul's letters to the churches were to establish men as elders who were to be overseeers of the church and lead the flock. That word used could be translated as Bishop, Elder, Overseer, Pastor. These men were to meet certain qualifications and were to serve as spiritual leaders of the church.

In those same letters, Paul urges the selection also of deacons, men who met a similar set of qualifications and who were to be workers, or servants within the church.

Whether any of us desire to be elders or deacons or not, those qualifications listed would be a great measuring stick for us to self evaluate ourselves as Godly men, IMO. If my memory serves me, there are 23 qualifications in all for elders and deacons.

Good explanation but I would say that Paul also mentioned and acknowledged some women called to serve in a capacity such as a deacon.

Originally Posted by Watusi

To answer the question, IMO the preacher should work within the direction and authority of the elders, as should all the rest of us. At least that is the way I understand the directions given in the new testament for the first century church.

I would say the two work together as pieces of a puzzle (the church) that is greater than themselves or their office.

In my opinion, God should be the only one that is telling preacher what to preach.

Originally Posted by Hatz

Good explanation but I would say that Paul also mentioned and acknowledged some women called to serve in a capacity such as a deacon.

Whoa, that's a whole 'nother can of worms.

Originally Posted by Hatz

I would say the two work together as pieces of a puzzle (the church) that is greater than themselves or their office.

Agreed

Originally Posted by Watusi

Whoa, that's a whole 'nother can of worms.

Agreed

Yep. That was more than "another can of worms." That was a whole different Lake.