Administration By Default
The qualifications of elders must be met and executed as revealed in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9. Those who qualify and are appointed by the congregation must oversee the duties and responsibilities as the Scriptures teach. Elders who fail to meet the qualifications; elders who fail to function, lead and execute the teaching implicitly and explicitly taught in the qualifications are guilty of administration by default.
Briefly, observe some Biblical examples of administration by default.
Instead of Aaron, high priest, speaking the truth while Moses was on the Mount, he allowed the people to make a golden calf and a feast day to the Lord (Exodus 32:1-6). By contrast, observe Samuel's attitude when the children of Israel desired a king. He immediately asked God for direction (1 Samuel 8:9). Pilate was not the last man who "washed his hands" in the "bowl" of administration by default (Matthew 27:24). Ananias and Sapphira tried it as seen in Acts 5. The apostle Paul would not let the apostle Peter get by with it (Galatians 2:11).
How easy it is to turn your head and pretend you do not "see" and "bury" your head in the sand of administration by default. In many congregations, we have those living in adultery and drinking alcoholic beverages, just to mention two of many sins, and many elders make little or no attempt to fulfill their obligations as the New Testament teaches. How many congregations have divided because the elders did not act quick enough to stop false teachers? "Just leave them alone and maybe they will change" --administration by default-- is a common answer when elders are asked about such problems. Instead of functioning as the Scriptures teach, they do nothing. Ignoring a problem will not solve it! In this administration by default, the false doctrines spread rapidly; congregations divide; therefore, the church is set back in that community for years (1 Corinthians 5:6). When the fine line between truth and error must be drawn, because of the fierceness of the line of demarcation, many elders, instead of holding faithfully to the truth, do as Aaron, let the people have their own way only to allow the church to become weaker. Many times this happens in appointing elders and deacons. Instead of "contending for the faith," they administer by default, and the work of the elders and the service of deacons become weaker and more corrupt by men who are not qualified. In appointing deacons, selecting teachers and preachers, how many times have elders "padded the record" with men who will be "puppets" in their hands instead of capable and qualified people? This breeds mediocrity! Selecting elders is not self-perpetuating (Acts 6:2; 15:22; 1 Corinthians 16:3; 2 Corinthians 8:19)! How many times do they cater to men with wealth? Much good work is not done in the church because elders cannot defend and or answer questions relative to the work; they administer by default and do nothing. To allow any need or correction or instruction to lie dormant is administration by default.
Elders are not the only ones guilty of the sin of administration by default. Members practice the same sin when they refuse to speak or refuse to study to know when and how to speak relative to any sinful practice. One example would be the same MEMBERS who have the responsibility to APPOINT qualified men as elders would likewise have the responsibility to REMOVE them if and when they become disqualified. Many times members who do not want to get involved will allow men to be appointed elders and deacons who are not qualified and never say anything.
Preachers and teachers administer by default when they refuse to preach and teach the whole counsel of God. It is much easier and the longevity is more certain for the preacher who leaves the "touchy" subjects alone. This type of administration by default has made many congregations stagnate.
We have lost much of our distinction and militancy because of administration by default by those who have accepted the responsibility of overseeing the work of the church. The implementation of 1 Timothy 5:17 would eliminate much, if not all, of the administration by default. We will not restore Christianity as it was in the first century until we have elders, preachers, and teachers who KNOW the New Testament! In this permissive complex society with every facet of life a pressure point, we need elders who will devote all of their time to overseeing the flock, thus, removing much of the administration by default (Acts 20:28; 1 Timothy 5:17).
From Our Archives, 1994
From a tract by Bill Graddy