Ask the Elders if they walk in harmony the flesh or the spirit?
If they say flesh...read to them Romans 8:8 "So those who are in harmony with the flesh cannot please God." and verse 13, "for if you live in accord with the flesh you are sure to die..."
If they say spirit...read to them Romans 8:14-17 "For all who are led by God’s spirit, these are God’s sons. 15 For you did not receive a spirit of slavery causing fear again, but you received a spirit of adoption as sons, by which spirit we cry out: “Abba, Father!” 16 The spirit itself bears witness with our spirit that we are God’s children. 17 If, then, we are children, we are also heirs: heirs indeed of God, but joint heirs with Christ..."
Joint heirs of Christ would mean the heavenly hope, correct?
If they walk in harmony with the flesh...why participate in all the shepherding calls, field ministry, talks and other works? They can't please God and they will surely die!
If they walk in harmony with the spirit... then they are God's children and joint heirs with Christ and have the heavenly hope... something most elders would deny!
There is no middle ground, either one is in harmony with the flesh or spirit.