Soul Watchers

"Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you." Hebrews 13:17

There is a lot packed into Hebrews 13:17, but I want to focus on the phrase, “…for they watch for your souls, as those who must give account…” Elders do many things, but the most important and most valuable thing they do is “watch for your souls.” I’m afraid that sometimes we simply see elders as an administrative job and fail to see the spiritual benefits of having elders. And maybe this is seen most in not taking advantage of soul watchers when we have them.

Do we value their teaching? Elders are to be “able to teach” (2 Tim 2:24). This doesn’t mean that they are necessarily the best teachers in the world, but they can talk among themselves about what the congregation needs the most because they are “among” the church (1 Pet 5:2-3).

Do we talk to them about our spiritual needs? Maybe we talk to the elders about physical things and needs, but are reluctant to talk about our spiritual challenges. Do we tell them about our temptations, our marriage conflicts, and our concerns about our children? Do we ask their advice when we have major life decisions to make? Do we ask them to help resolve conflicts, mediate arguments, be peacemakers?

Do we give them our prayer requests? James 5:14-15 specifically says the elders should be called when there are challenges so that they can pray. It’s not that elders are the only ones who can pray when there is a problem, but they are strong, faithful, spiritually minded men who are always caring, willing, and available (and that is to be helpful and comforting).

Do we remember why we have elders? How we value and take advantage of elders among us shows whether we’re remembering why the Lord gave His church elders. The rest of Hebrews 13:17 (obey, submit) isn’t about power, it’s about taking advantage of their watching “for your souls” and the benefit that brings. Notice that it says, “as those who must give account” – they are going to be held responsible for this watching! If you are reading this and the church you are a part of doesn’t have elders, this is why you should crave having elders and work toward having them. We all need those who “watch out for your souls’!   dd