Accusations

Paul makes it clear that church elders deserve respect and those who teach and preach are worth double honor (financial support). However, if you have been a believer for any length of time, you have encountered an elder here and there who proved themselves not to be worthy of respect. Along with how to handle such situations, Paul also has a word of caution, “Do not entertain an accusation against an elder unless it is brought by two or three witnesses. Those who sin are to be rebuked publicly, so that the others may take warning” (1 Tim 5:19-20 NIV). No doubt the warning of a public rebuke has stopped many from going to the leadership body, but also the idea of rounding up two or three witnesses to present an accusation smacks of collusion. However, it occurs to me that the witnesses are not required to come as a group to bring an accusation, but it is the accusation itself that has a cumulative value. If three or more people approach church leadership individually the accusation should be entertained.