The Preacher and His Work, Wendell Winkler (c. 1987)

What do we preachers owe to our respective elders?

We Owe the Elders Our Fairness and Honesty. I should be dependable. I must never convey to their faces that they are the finest elders and then leave and talk about how bad they are to others. I must never hold over their heads the possibility of moving to gain a raise when I really don’t intend to move. I owe it to them to live up to my verbal and written agreements with them.

We Owe the Elders Our Assurance. I will work with you support you. I will be loyal to you, and not be a part of any faction that may arise.

We Owe the Elders Our Understanding. There are no perfect elders. Elders must possess all qualifications, but cannot possess all to perfection (1 Timothy 3; Titus 1). “Holiness,” for instance, if pressed to perfection would be like God.

We Owe the Elders Our Cooperation. Teamwork is the answer (Mark 2:5). Don’t get in the pulpit every other Sunday and brag on the elders, but occasionally show public support for them.

We Owe the Elders Our Prayers. The preacher should have no question that elders pray for him publicly and privately, and vice-versa.

We Owe the Elders Our Faithful Declaration of The Word Of God (2 Timothy 4:2).

We Owe the Elders Our Commendation. Serving as an elder can be a thankless job. Make sure they hear some compliments. Remember, you don’t get what you don’t give.

We Owe the Elders Our Information. Keep them abreast of what is happening in your life and in your family (medical issues, travel plans, gospel meetings coming up).

We Owe the Elders Our Defense. If you say, “Brethren, as long as you are doing right I will defend you, I will assure you no one will come to me and speak ill of you,” then you can expect the same. I will not let others talk negatively about the elders in my presence, as I want them to assure me that they will defend me and my sermons.

We Owe the Elders Our Full and Unreserved Commitment To the Local Church. Do not treat your current work as just a stepping-stone to something larger or better.