Category Archives: Bad Elders

Getting Rid of a Bad Elder (Revised)

I get emails — Hi Jay, I’ve read some of your articles and recently read one about elders firing their minister. My husband was once fired from a position, and it was a mess. And as we have moved on … Continue reading

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Further on Elders (Getting Rid of Bad Elders: Cure, Part 2)

A church has a good eldership, except one elder really doesn’t belong. He should never have been ordained. Experience shows that he really doesn’t have the qualities of a shepherd/overseer/elder and the giftedness from the Spirit for the task. Most … Continue reading

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Further on Elders (Getting Rid of Bad Elders: Cure, Part 1)

Now, let’s suppose we have man called “elder” who is not qualified. What do we do? Well, the Bible says very little on the subject, but there is some significant guidance. We begin with — (1Ti 5:19-20 ESV)  19 Do not admit … Continue reading

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Further on Elders (Getting Rid of Bad Elders: Prevention)

I’m not finished with the series on Misreading Scripture with Western Eyes, but it’s time for a break. We’ll return in short order. One of the questions I’m most frequently asked is how to deal with bad elders. After all, even … Continue reading

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On Bad Elders: Doing a Better Job of Selecting Elders, Part 1 (Training the Members)

Removing lousy elders can be really ugly. It’s never pleasant for the man being removed or for those confronting him and asking him to step down. It’s far, far better to ordain men who will make into good elders. Lots … Continue reading

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On Bad Elders: Removing Lousy Elders, a Story

A long time ago, in a land far, far away (not that far, actually), the men of a church gathered in a classroom. Two men had organized the meeting, and one acted as chair. “Most of you know why we’re … Continue reading

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On Bad Elders: Removing Lousy Elders, Toward a Solution, Part 2

Public rebuke of sin In 1 Tim 5:19 we are taught how to “rebuke” an elder — (1 Tim 5:19-20) Do not entertain an accusation against an elder unless it is brought by two or three witnesses. 20 Those who … Continue reading

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On Bad Elders: Removing Lousy Elders, Toward a Solution, Part 1

In the last post, I proposed three much-need reforms, one of which is coming up with a mechanism for getting rid of elders who shouldn’t be elders. The difficulty of judging an elder As problematic as it is to come … Continue reading

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On Bad Elders: Thinking Out Loud

One of the biggest challenges facing the Churches of Christ today is how to deal with lousy elders. Of course, many churches have excellent elderships, but there are far too many congregations being held back by weak, ineffective, or downright … Continue reading

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