COMING HOME

Home—home is where the heart is.  The word summons images of a mother scurrying around the kitchen preparing a delicious meal for her family. It reminds us of the strength of a father’s arms lifting us up when we fall down.  There is the remembrance of the family Bible on the table.  We can almost smell the coffee perking in the morning, when we would rise to get ready for school, or of cookies in the oven when we came open after school.  So many memories.  Maybe you are making some for your family today.  Those children will remember for good or for bad—indelible impressions imbedded on their soul.

I think of coming home to God.  The prodigal son went to the far country and squandered his inheritance on wine, women, and wickedness.  When he ran out of money, he ran out of fair-weather friends, and his heart turned toward home.  There was a Father waiting with open arms, to forgive and restore—a son once dead, now alive; lost, but then found.  Have you come home to God?  Have you repented of your sins and raced to your Father’s house?

I think of returning home to church after wandering for a while.  Old Jacob couldn’t get along with his brother, was a bit of a disappointment to his father, and off he went away from Bethel (the word means the house of God).  Then came the day of his return.  Back to Bethel, back to the house of God and the rebuilding of an altar, in a restored relationship with the Lord, that was profound.  He would never be the same.  Jacob had a bit of a limp after that—a wrestling match with God he won by losing—but it was a sweet reminder of God breaking him in order to bless him.  Have you drifted out of church involvement?  Have you intended to come back?  Must God break you to get your attention?  Come back to the house of God—we will welcome you!

I think of going home—our real home in heaven.  There is coming a glad day when we reach that place we were fashioned for.  Home—safely home—in the glory of God’s radiance, to see Jesus face to face and fall in awe at His nail-scarred feet, to abide in the overwhelming presence of the Holy Spirit, and to see the saints of old while we embrace loved ones who died in faith.

Homecoming Day, September 9, is a time set apart to remind us of this holy trinity of truths.  The day begins at 10:30 in the auditorium.  In the words of the old Gospel song, “Oh what singing; oh what shouting; On that happy morning…!” when we have a joyous family reunion.  We hope Dr. John Tiller will be able to lead us to the throne of grace in prayer.  A very old Bible belonging to a charter member will be presented.  We will have a choir ranging from little children to senior saints.  Caitlin McCarson will join the choir in soul-stirring music.  Her husband Derrick will bring us God’s Word.  There are a number of other exciting things planned! Following the service, we will have a delicious dinner on the grounds.  The finest cooks in the world will prepare it—the members of Pole Creek. As we complete the meal we will move across the road to dedicate our beautiful new pavilion to the glory of God, and have an outdoor baptism!

Come home!  And bring somebody with you!

ELDERS: SHEPHERDING THE FLOCK

Paul had assigned Titus to a tough congregation in Crete (v.12-13).  The ministry there was a mess, and he was to “set in order the things that are lacking.”  Order was to be brought out of chaos, and elders were key to it.  

No church can rise beyond the level of its leaders.  There are three primary Greek words for those in spiritual authority:

• Elder—presbuteros (Titus 1:5, 1 Tim.5:17).  When we think of the word, “elder,” we usually think of someone who is old—and often the leaders in the church would be those who were wiser and more experienced.  It is spiritual maturity, however, that is essential. That doesn’t always follow chronological age.  Timothy was a young man, and yet capable of leading the church (1 Tim.4:12). We see that character is at the core (Titus 1:6-9). It is noted in 1 Tim.5:17 that elders are to “rule”—they lead with spiritual authority.  Their labor is in the word and doctrine.

• Bishop—episkopos (Titus 1:7, Heb.13:7,17).  It is obvious that we are taking about the same persons, just with a different description.  The bishop isn’t a different class of leader, but this is a different characteristic of the same leader. This stresses their oversight of the church.  In Heb.13:7 we note the church is to follow their message and model.  Our response to their guidance brings gladness or grief to the pastor, and in turn is to the church’s profit or poverty.  Follow your leaders if they are faithful.  Fire them if they are not.  What you don’t want is to fight with them over direction.  Such a spirit of strife will not bring God’s blessing.  Can you question, discuss, give opposing views?  Of course, but just to be a critic and complainer about everything is harmful to the progress of the church. If this is your default setting as a member then you are the one in the fault.

• Pastor—poimeen (Eph. 4:11; 1 Peter 5:1-4).  This is the Greek word for shepherd—shepherds lead, feed, and bleed for the flock.  Their motivation must be right (1 Pet.5:1-4).  In this, the pastor serves with delight and not mere duty.  He isn’t a professional doing a job, but a servant embracing a joy. We must never be motivated by money. There is no room for an ego-driven dictator.  We lead the people as sheep; we don’t drive them as cattle!  Our example makes our exposition effective—practicing what we preach.  There is great reward, yet that awaits heaven.  The pastor who is about finances and fame is a wolf in shepherd’s clothing.    

There is a danger—power can corrupt. A plurality of elders is what the New Testament teaches.  This affords a system of checks and balances.  We know many big name preachers who got into trouble, basically from a lack of accountability. The depravity of the human heart cannot be overstated.  I do not want or need unconditional control.  Yet, if the pastor is to be given responsibility, he must also be given authority—but, with proper accountability.

Elders in the church ought to include the vocational staff, but laymen can certainly be qualified to serve in that capacity as well.  Blessed is the church that has godly men to shepherd the flock!