Elders, you matter! When you’re anointed by the Holy Spirit, and you faithfully perform your ministry in your local congregation and community, it’s difficult to exaggerate your importance and significance.
LET THEM GIVE THANKS TO THE LORD FOR HIS UNFAILING LOVE AND HIS WONDERFUL DEEDS FOR MEN. LET THEM EXALT HIM IN THE ASSEMBLY OF THE PEOPLE AND PRAISE HIM IN THE COUNCIL OF THE ELDERS” (PSALM 107:31–32).
The vital nature of your role is demonstrated throughout the Bible in both the Old and New Testaments. There are almost two hundred references to “elders” in English translations of the Bible. The sheer number of references speaks to the relevance of elders and their role. Elders are often found at pivotal points of biblical history: at times they are leading the people toward salvation and, tragically, at other times toward destruction.
In the Bible, elders were far more than figureheads. They often bore testimony to important divine events and had a crucial role of influence among the people. Ideally, elders were the bastions of trust. Their actions and words were to be reliable. Biblically, elders have specific tasks of ministry such as nurturing and protecting the flock (Acts 20:28), praying—particularly for the sick (Jas 5:14), preaching, and teaching (1 Tim 5:17).
The importance of elders is also demonstrated in the apostle Paul’s investment in elders. It was his habit to carefully and prayerfully appoint elders for each church (Acts 14:23; Titus 1:5). Paul also instructed and trained elders to equip them for ministry (Acts 20:17–38).
Believers, churches, and their communities in biblical times needed elders. Times haven’t changed! This is still the case in the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Communities around the world need leaders of maturity and wisdom, positive and wholesome influences who shine the love of Jesus Christ upon all. Now more than ever, people of faith and courage are needed to graciously disciple others into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ.
Please meditate upon these words, inspired by the Holy Spirit and crafted by the apostle Peter:
“To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder, a witness of Christ’s sufferings and one who also will share in the glory to be revealed: Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, serving as overseers–not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away” (1 Pet 5:1–4).
As the new editor of Elder’s Digest, I’m humbled and simultaneously inspired by the responsibility. But the story isn’t about me; it’s about each of you as elders. I want you to know how important you are as elders. You’re important in so many ways: important to God, in the whole scheme of history and salvation, and important to your church and the people around you—your family members, loved ones, and community. Your ministry as an elder has eternal significance.
Thank you for accepting the invitation to be an elder and for your dedicated and faithful service and ministry. I’m looking forward to this journey with you, as I too am an elder in my local Spencerville, Maryland (USA), congregation.
I’m also grateful for the very fine work of the former editors James H. Zachary (1994), Joel Sarli (1994–2005), and Jonas Arrais (2005–2020). They have left proverbially enormous shoes to fill and considerable legacies. I also want to linger a moment and recognize the exceptional work of my friend and colleague in the General Conference Ministerial Association for fifteen years, Jonas Arrais. He took a very good product and, employing his remarkable God-given acumen, grew the distribution from five thousand to 220,000 and from five to fourteen languages. Extraordinary!
What of the future?
My vision for Elder’s Digest is to do all that I can, through the grace of God, to:
• enhance each elder’s relationship with Jesus Christ;
• uphold the Bible as the Word of God and its teaching as the ultimate revelation of Jesus Christ;
• grow, nourish, inform, and equip elders, through practical instruction, so that they can function and perform their important roles with excellence, competence, and confidence;
• promote the teachings and mission of the Seventh-day Adventist Church; and
• ultimately grow the community of believers who are eagerly awaiting the return of Jesus.
