In an article entitled “Six Ways to Resolve Conflict”, where the writer is talking to business leaders, he says … “Remember that as a leader, even though you can initiate a constructive conversation, the effort always involves dialogue and discussion among the people involved. Adopt a positive attitude toward the conflict, find the best in people and in the situation, and maintain your sense of humor.”
You will agree this is a great way to lead in business … but when it comes to the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ, there are a host of other attitudes and emotions involved because Christian Leadership must not be involved in building a business but growing a Kingdom that belongs to the King, who is Jesus. Our main focus is looking at the appointment of elders for the Churches at Lystra, Iconium and Antioch … the Churches they planted as missionaries going into all the world to make disciples for Jesus’ Kingdom.
Ac 14:23 Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church.
We are grappling with the concept, work and purpose of “elders” and are considering the attributes listed in:
1Ti 3:1 Here is a trustworthy saying: If anyone sets his heart on being an overseer, he desires a noble task. 2 Now the overseer must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3 not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. 4 He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him with proper respect. 5 (If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?) 6 He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil. 7 He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap.
Like with this passage, do not be surprised or offended that I often repeat passages day after day. Repetition is vital when it comes to learning and with “eldership” being a vital aspect of the purpose and protection of the Church within Jesus’ Kingdom … as well as its penetration into the lost world to gather souls. Join me as we consider a another attribute of an elder …
1) The elder must be hospitable. As soon as we see this word, we think of food and welcoming people to our home for fellowship. There is nothing wrong with this, but the word Paul uses here means far more. To be a little personal, our daughter and her husband have the spiritual gift of hospitality. They will be the first to invite people over for a meal and fellowship. When living in the Middle East, they attended a Church where at least 50 countries were represented. So, they would have people in their homes for meals or refreshments and fellowship from any given country. They rubbed shoulders with people most of us will never. One needs to ask the question … what is the purpose of hospitality? Our view of it is food, refreshments and fellowship … a visit with people we know to enjoy each other’s company. Our son-in-law has just been nominated as an elder in our Church. Does he qualify under this attribute? The word “hospitality” that Paul uses carries a few meanings we would normally never think of.
(1) Strangers. This would be Christians you have never met before. Maybe they are from another country, province or city. Like you, they love the Lord, yet you have never met them before. They are strangers to you but you meet and enjoy hospitality together … which would mean encouragement, prayer and support. As an example … John says:
3Jn 1:5 Dear friend, you are faithful in what you are doing for the brothers, even though they are strangers to you.
(2) Appearing strange. This might include the third meaning I’ll reveal shortly, but largely those who appear strange are people the world and sadly some Christians reject. It could be the poor, sick in body, struggling with mental conditions, the uneducated, those who lack confidence and self-love, people from cultures not yours, etc. Where such people are often rejected by the world or only used by politicians to gain election points … elders would see they have souls that live forever and invite them into their friendship circle and home, without ulterior motives. Jesus welcomed those the world rejected!
(3) Foreigners and aliens. There are two aspects here. The first would be people from other countries who might or might not be Christian. The second would be those who are foreigners to and alien to the Gospel of Jesus. This last matter is the most crucial meaning of hospitality. Consider:
Eph 2:19 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household.
All believers were once foreigners and aliens … outside of the Kingdom of Jesus. Yet through the Gospel we were translated from that banished position to citizenship within His Kingdom. I hope you get this … evangelism brought you in from being outside! One last thought … hospitality includes the concept of “to lodge”. Many of you know Hennie and Beth. They have a lovely Bush Lodge with wild animals walking free. It is a great place for a get-away. You can sleep in a well-equipped chalet, you can eat in a beautiful dining hall, swim in a huge pool, go on walks, runs, game drives, etc. That concept is all part of hospitality … being the host of foreigners, aliens, people acting strangely, those of different cultures … but mainly people who do not know Jesus as Lord. The elder needs to have an evangelistic heart. One who seeks out souls for the Kingdom whilst at the same time having an open home for the body of Christ … particularly those who struggle with their faith, relationships, morals and ethics as well as their finances. You see, the elder is not one who just rules or teachers. He is one who encourages and evangelizes. His heart needs to be open and available to all sorts of people. He requires a heart like God … warm and available to the needy soul. It is paramount that he needs discernment too. He needs to identify those who are out to use him and his hospitality for their selfish gain and not because they are needy souls. This is why he needs to focus on two key issues when offering hospitality. The first is encouragement. He needs to build souls up in their faith so that they in turn may grow up into people who are actively involved in serving Jesus within and through the Church. The second is evangelism. He needs to bring the alien into a circle where they may be evangelized. Should hospitality be used for casual, mutual enjoyment, it is not Biblical Hospitality!
O God, grant such grace to our elders that they identify with the Biblical concepts as they provide hospitality to believers and unbelievers alike. Amen.