The Elders are exerting authority where they have none. Matthew 28:18. There is no mention of Elders in the verse or in the context in Hebrews 13:17, 7, or 24. Read carefully I Peter 5:1-5.

The Elders have turned away from sound doctrine. They have turned to the doctrine of men: teaching and following the pattern of Saddleback Valley Community Church, allowing women to teach and lead over young men who are baptized, allowing unscriptural music and "holy entertainment", and specifically speaking where the Bible is silent. II Timothy 4:2-4.

The Elders have divided the church over the above changes forced on the church. I Corinthians 1:10, Matthew 20:25-28, Acts 20:28-31

Elders are under the same authority of Jesus Christ and God as are all of us in the church. They have been warned. Now is the time for us to reject them and have nothing to do with them. Titus 3:8-11. They are to be rebuked before all, publicly (the congregation). I Timothy 5:19-29.

To know how God feels and thinks about his children, please read carefully Jeremiah 10:21-22 & Jeremiah 23:1-4.

You may read of an example of how to "let another take" the place of a leader in the congregation, how Peter and the remaining Apostles and the disciples replaced Judas after he killed himself. Acts 1:12-26 KJB. "These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren." Acts 1:15 KJB. "And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples, and said, (the number of names together were about an hundred and twenty,)" Acts 1:16 KJB. "And they appointed two, Joseph called Barnabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias." Acts 1:23 KJB. AND THEN THE 120 *VOTED. "And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles." Acts 1:26 KJB.

*Voted = gave forth their lots >> Lot = Any of a group of nearly identical objects used in making a determination, choice, or selection.

The Apostles alone did not choose Matthias just among themselves . The Madison Church of Christ Elders did chose among themselves alone (just the Elders) in recent years. The last Elders were chosen that way. The entire congregation recently has had no choice or voice at all. The voice that was expressed fell upon deaf ears. That is not scriptural.

Bobby M. Johnson, member Madison Church of Christ