One of the more difficult lessons that each of us has to learn is the fact that there are two sides to every story. How many of us have found themselves in the difficult situation where, having acted upon one persons account of an incident or conflict, we find that there is another side to the same story which makes us look more than a little foolish in the position we have taken.

Such a lesson teaches more than the importance of getting both sides of a story; it also teaches us that the story is not complete without both sides. Just as there are two sides making up every coin so there are two or more sides which make up the whole story.

When it comes to the role of elders we can usually see the side of the “story” which focuses on the responsibilities of the elders but what about the other side of the story, surely if a coin needs two sides to be complete so the story of the responsibilities of Elders is the same. Consider the following passage.

28 Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood. 29 I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. 30 Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. 31 So be on your guard! ....... Acts 20:28-31

From passages such as this it is reasonably easy to see the elder’s side of the “story”. Shepherds are told to –

• Watch themselves. The reason for this instruction is not difficult to see. If a sheep goes “astray” the flock is not greatly affected. The other sheep probably won’t follow it and the shepherds can offer protection for the majority while still reaching out to the “lost sheep”. However if an elder goes astray then the flock can easily be carried away by that Shepherd. Even the other elders will struggle to protect the flock from one of their own. Elders need to watch themselves for much is at stake if they become “wolves”.
• Watch the flock. The flock is not an ordinary flock, rather it is one which God “….bought with his own blood”, consequently it is precious to Him beyond anything else. As the shepherds of this unique flock, the elders are to guard it and protect it. No matter how healthy the flock may be it remains vulnerable and “wolves” are always seeking ways to steal it. Elders must watch the flock as if they had “purchased” it themselves.
• Watch God. Inherent in these instructions is the fact that God’s purposes and instructions must be acknowledged and obeyed. The Shepherds can’t go too wrong in their task if they pay attention to God’s will and ensure that they are attentive to His instructions and warnings. Elders must learn to watch God and not rely on themselves to ensure that the flock is properly cared for.

However this is only one side of the story and without the other the side the picture can never be complete. As surely as on one side of the “coin”, the elders have responsibilities, so on the other side of the coin, the flock has responsibilities as well. The flock must:

• Watch themselves. While the roles of the sheep and shepherds of God’s flock are different they are all sheep under His care and thus all responsible directly to him. The sheep are therefore responsible for their own salvation and for the salvation of each other. They don’t have exactly the same responsibility as elders but they still have responsibility for themselves and each other.
• Watch the Shepherds. If the sheep are responsible for each other it follows that they are also responsible for the shepherds who are also, before God, sheep. If shepherds can become “wolves” they are vulnerable and need encouragement and edification like anyone else. In this we are not to be their critics but rather their protectors.
• Watch God. Although the shepherds bear responsibility for the sheep, the sheep still stand or fall before God based on their own faith. Consequently, like the shepherds, the sheep must look to God for their instruction and guidance especially in light of the obvious human frailty of the elders themselves.

As surely as a story is only complete with both sides and a coin needs two sides to be of value so does the Eldership of the church. Without question, elders have responsibilities toward the sheep so the sheep have responsibilities toward the shepherds. Together they fulfil God’s purpose for his people.