I believe that it is questionable to assume that once a man has been officially recognized as an elder he owns this position for life, or that once recognized, the elder’s qualifications and ministry are no longer subject to review. The Bible is silent about the term of an elder, just as it is silent regarding the selection and approval process, or the process for removing an elder. Now, we return to the question of ineffective leadership by a particular elder. A true leader will continue to bless others by his unofficial ministry if he thinks, acts, and counsels wisely. Eldership is a place of service, and when one’s service is greatly diminished it is time to relinquish one’s official leadership position. Holding to one’s office as an elder simply to maintain authority and control in some area of life is wrong. Many are not willing to admit the diminished capacity that often comes in the aging process. Having said this, one must address an error on the opposite side – held by those who cling to their role as elders, just as the aged cling to their freedoms and other areas of control which they attained in younger days. All of this is to say that the younger generation needs to beware of the inclination to throw out older leaders, assuming that they can do better. Let us respect the wisdom of those who are older.
Younger believers should seriously consider Peter’s words to the young (as well as the elders) in 1 Peter 5:1-5. It was Rehoboam’s youthful advisors who gave him foolish counsel, while his father’s older advisors gave him wise counsel, which he rejected (1 Kings 12). Youth may make a person more skillful in some physical things, but such skills are not wisdom. Much more could be said to validate this statement, but suffice it to say that those who are young need to be humbly aware of the limitations of their youth, one of which the Bible calls “simplicity” in Proverbs. We in the West live in a culture that reveres youth and looks down on the wisdom that often comes with age and maturity. I think it is necessary to begin with a word of caution here.
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