House Church Talk - Alexander Strauch on Biblical Eldership

[Gary]

Hi, David,

I understand How the term can cause confusion. I come from a presbyterian
background, and while I do NOT hold to the belief of some "priestly"
function in the "office" itself (at least not anymore) I have been using the
term for so long that it is hard to shed!

I am still trying to adjust my mindset on the whole idea of how a church is
governed, and given my range of experiences (from charismatic episcopal to
OPC) I have to work out a number of knee-jerk responses that have developed
over the years. This includes generic uses of terms like "officer" and
"office" that have meant, over time, everything from what we are talking
about on this list to people who could (and have, at least to us) discipline
you for moving to a church much closer to our home
that they didn't approve of. I hope you realize that I do not mean the
latter in our discussions. (smile)

Now that I think of it, the generic usage is more of an adaptation to or
assimilation of the secular/worldly terms used to describe what the church
should just do naturally. The world has "officers" therefore they think that
we should as well. They have a top down, hierarchial authority structure,
therefore they expect us to "organize" the same way. Since the church as a
whole is anxious to show everybody that we are just like everyone else so
they won't get turned off to what the world has decided that church should
be, we go along with what they expect. We reason that there's nothing wrong
with doing what makes sense. (

Is there? Especially when God Himself has provided a different way and an
example clearly and directly from His word?

Oops, I did it again. I'm sorry for going off on a tangent when your
question merely asked for clarification. I went and traced the cause of why
the IC has adopted that kind of structure and titles for herself. I hope I
answered your question, but if not, please reply back and allow me to try
again.

BTW, I do not know why Mr. Strauch uses the term "officers", but my guess is
that the reason may be similar. Only a guess, however, since I have not
asked him. I will look for the book on deacons, but after my present studies
are d

Earnestly contending,

Gary

(Written using WindowEyes, the premier screenreading program from GW Micro
that makes PCs accessible to the blind and visually impaired.  Contact:
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"Preach not only so that the people can understand, but so that they cannot
misunderstand if they wish."  CH.Spurgeon

"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the
full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the
schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but
against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this
darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.
Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist
in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm."  Ephesians
6:10-13
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "David Anderson" <david at housechurch.org>
To: <House Church Talk  at housechurch.org>
Sent: Friday, October 15, 2004 11:19 AM
Subject: Re: House Church Talk -  Alexander Strauch on Biblical Eldership


>
> >Hi David,
> >
> >I can understand the aspect of age in relation to the office as well as
the
> >need to have more respect for age. But... I do believe that the age
factor
> >is more aptly focused on age in the Lord.
>
>     Hi to you, Gary, my friend,
>
> I'm updating my laptop with new gear and have had some other major stuff
> to deal with. Particularly 3 rear brake jobs, etc, etc. Sorry for the
> tardy reply.
>
> Thank you much for the thoughtful response. But you are losing me in the
> first lines. Why do you refer to eldership as 'the office'? I realize
> that most do, I am just inquiring as to why.
>
> Obviously, age is not a reliable gauge of spiritual maturity in this
> world nor in the world of bygone days. Several of the patriarchs messed
> up in their later years. In NT times, as well, a prescription for
> reproving elders is found which reminds us that older ones are not
> infallible.
>
> Strauch, btw, wrote an interesting book on the "New Testament Deacon." He
> also believes they are "officers."
>
>     your brother,
>
>        David Anderson
>
>
>
>
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