Our church recently transitioned from an “elder-rule” model of church government to “elder-led congregationalism.” As I have talked with pastor friends from various streams, many are stumped as to why we would do that.
“You mean the elders had the congregation’s trust and could lead freely and . . . you changed that!?”
“Why would you move from efficiency to inefficiency?”
“Why would you get sheep involved when the shepherds can do that?”
Put simply, because Jesus said so. Five words compelled us to make the shift: “tell it to the church” (Matt. 18:17). The context of Jesus’ command is unrepentant sin in the church. He gives three steps to address the sin, and the final step is to tell the church and regard the unrepentant sinner as a pagan and tax collector. In other words, treat them as one who is no longer in the covenant community.
Jesus only used the word “church” two times in all four Gospels. These verses contain some of the most important teaching Jesus gave on the church, and we had better listen up and heed his instruction.
It’s striking that Jesus does not mention church leaders in his teaching on how to handle
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