Thal59:
. In many Protestant denominations that I have had contact with, the elder generally does not know anything of Greek or Hebrew. They usually are only trained in bible study and the particular beliefs of the specific denomination.
Thal59
As a former Presbyterian elder who left the church for the Roman Catholic Church, I would say that your last sentence is correct.
And even that last sentence is a bit too kind in regards to what many elders know. I’ll be honest with you, people voted me onto the Session (i.e. group of elders in a Presby church) because of my last name (well known family in good standing in the community) and my age (they wanted someone “younger” on session- I was 32 at the time- while all the others were over 60).
I prepared for questioning (as they have a right to question me about matters of the faith)- but instead of doint that, they just put hands on me and made me an elder.
You see, in some protestant churches- particularly where attendence is not so good, it becomes a bit of a sham. I can say that with my own “Elder Ordination” it was a bit of a popularity contest… and it was a really small “fishbowl” to pick from.
They didn’t even make sure I knew even the Presbyterian beliefs, they just figured I’d already accepted Christ and agreed with Sola Scriptura and “probably” was “Calvinistic enough”.
Of course, not all protestant churches are like that, but some are.
I know one pastor at a non-denom “Mega-Church” in Pittsburgh who put a guy in a big leadership position who doesn’t even attend except on Christmas and Easter!
…although that man did donate several hundred thousand dollars last calendar year.
To be fair, there’s good, Bible believing Protestants out there who love the Lord, but as the pews empty, leadership is hard to come by… and many churches are desparate… or misled.
