Our local fellowships here in Virginia have seen the value of functional elders who serve by keeping watch over, and protecting, God’s people from wolves within. See Elders, Grace and Heresy.

Fortunately, dealing with those who try to use a local fellowship to promote their own destructive agenda is not a frequent problem.

Nonetheless, we have learned that when it does occasionally happen, it can’t be ignored – even though no one likes dealing with messy situations or potential conflict.

Typically, if it involves someone who is causing harm to others by openly pursuing or promoting sin, a destructive personal agenda, or some gross doctrinal error within the group, then the elders in that fellowship – as more mature believers – will try to meet with them and deal with the situation privately.

If the fellowship is too new for elders to have emerged within the group, however, then respected leaders who have been helping the group from other churches often will step in to help.

If, despite private intervention, there is no open repentance on those matters affecting whole group, and the person persists with their harmful behavior (as defined by clear Biblical norms), the elders then will bring the matter before the entire fellowship for open discussion and resolution.

If the person still refuses to repent, typically they are then told to leave.

Although some cringe at the idea of following proper Biblical procedure (as per Matt. 18 or, in the case of errant church leaders, 1 Tim. 5:19-21) regarding church discipline, no fellowship can long survive or thrive if it tolerates those who have chosen to openly rebellion against clear Biblical standards.
Organic Fellowships

Our fellowships are what some would call “organic” or “simple” churches where folks can all participate fully expressing Christ in them, among them and through them. Although we see the need for elders to emerge from within each fellowship, we don’t recognize any clergy/laity divide and our meetings are open for ministry one to another.

To keep our focus on expressing vibrant community rather than simply having meetings, and to allow everyone to fully participate by sharing whatever the Lord gives them – whether a teaching, a song, a prayer, an encouragement, or whatever – we tend to have smaller gathers that typically meet in homes or other more intimate settings. This also allows us to operate with practically no overhead, and thus allow our resources to go directly into helping those with needs – both among us and in other communities as special needs arise.
Fake “Apostles”

Real elders, however, also protect God’s people from wolves without.

Specifically, real elders are the best protection against fake “apostles” – and other wolves who seek outside influence.

The organic/simple church community has ignored for too long, and at great peril, the Biblical need for functional local elders – who stand guard as the best protection against “somebodies” pushing nice sounding but self-promoting agendas without any proven history of consistent local church experience, commitment or accountability.

Is it any wonder then that so-called “apostolic workers” and their supporters within the organic church community are not only dismissive of functional local elders, but also the plenary authority of Scripture as the written Word of God – and any other effective restraint on their self-proclaimed “ministries” and mutual promotion networks.

Let’s not give ear to their unproven ideas, or their false claims of effectiveness and experience in helping to build – and be part of – actual local fellowships.

Real elders question and verify, before opening doors to those with a history of derailing, rather than building, healthy churches.