Some Principles for Elder Selection/Reaffirmation this Fall:
We need leaders! Leaders are a gift from God and gifted by God to help build up the church into maturity in Christ. It is often true in the story of God’s people: as go the leaders, so goes the people. Our task this Fall will not be to take our best guess at who might make a good leader. Our task will be to discern together whom God has already equipped for leadership in this place and time.
2 foundations for ALL Christian spiritual leaders: Christ-like & Spirit-led Leaders consistently demonstrate a growing capacity for Christ-likeness and following the lead of the Holy Spirit in every area of their lives. This refers not to spiritual perfection, but direction. “…being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another” – 2 Corinthians 3.18
Christ gifts different people for different ministries at different times and places “Leadership in the body of Christ is not a matter of position or authority, but of ministry. Whatever ministry we are called to is the result of God’s grace working in our lives, and not one’s own ability or position.” – Ian Fair, Leadership in the Kingdom, 209
The ministry of eldership requires stewarding at least 3 different responsibilities within the life of the church: 1. “Eldering” (Interpretive Leadership), 2. Shepherding (Relational Leadership), 3. Overseeing (Organizational Leadership)
We practice a plurality of elders We do this because Christianity is a “team sport” and we do not expect any one person to possess all gifts necessary for the work. Because this is the case, the composition and dynamics of the “Elder Team” are very important. Additionally, elders may steward their ministry primarily by encouraging and empowering others in the church gifted for the various tasks and responsibilities entrusted to them.
Scripture consistently stresses the importance of the quality of life desirable in elders (and all other Christian spiritual leaders) Several scriptures related to this are listed below. Four guiding principles might include: A mature, experienced person A person of character and good reputation in the church and the community A proven leader and manager, especially in one’s “household” A disciple of Jesus who understands, practices, and effectively communicates the Christian faith
Scripture for Further Study and Reflection:
Prepared by Ben Fike for the Cole Mill Road Church of Christ on June 16, 2019
Some of Jesus’ Teachings Related to Leadership Matthew 18:1-20 Matthew 20:20-28 (cf. Mark 10:35-45) Matthew 23:1-12 Mark 9:33-37 Luke 9:43-48 Luke 22:24-30 John 10:11-18 John 13:3-17 John 21:15-19
On the Church as the Body of Christ & Ministry as Gift of God’s Grace Romans 12:3-8 1 Corinthians 4:1-2 1 Corinthians 12:1-31 2 Corinthians 5:16-21 Ephesians 4:1-17 1 Peter 4:7-11
On the Desired Quality of Life of Leaders Acts 20:28-35 Romans 12:1-2 Romans 12:9-21 2 Corinthians 2:14-17 2 Corinthians 3:12-18 Galatians 5:16-6:10 Philippians 2:1-11 1 Timothy 3:1-13 Titus 1:5-9 James 3:1-18 1 Peter 5:1-4
Prepared by Ben Fike for the Cole Mill Road Church of Christ on June 16, 2019 Elder Selection A (VERY) BRIEF INTRODUCTION TO CHRISTIAN SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP CMR Elder Selection
Purpose: Review our approach to scripture as we make critical decisions for our congregational leadership
AGENDA:
June 16: Intro to Christian Spiritual Leadership (Fike)
June 23: Elders as One Expression of Christian Spiritual Leadership (Fike)
June 30: Eldership Qualification and Qualities (Holton)
July 7: Further Discussions (Holton)
July 14: Town Hall with Congregation
September: Nominations and Confirmations
Hermeneutics: A Suggestion
Locate the center of the scripture Locate the mindset of the culture being addressed Select a section of scripture which speaks to the context Notice how persons in the scripture are addressed for perspective of God/Christ Employ a similar approach to the current question Relate the specific action or understanding to the larger narrative of God’s mighty actions Understand interpretation with the church
Olbricht TH: Hearing God’s Voice: My Life With Scriptures in the Churches of Christ. ACU Press; Abilene, TX, 1996.
18 Very truly, I tell you, when you were younger, you used to fasten your own belt and to go wherever you wished. But when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will fasten a belt around you and take you where you do not wish to go.” 19 (He said this to indicate the kind of death by which he would glorify God.) After this he said to him, “Follow me.” JOHN 21.18-19 Christ Depicted as Good Shepherd, Catacombs in Priscilla in Rome, -3rd Century AD?