This week’s update will focus on the next step in terms of establishing a leadership structure here at Pillar Community Church. During our recent Wednesday Evening Pillar Community Groups I introduced the inaugural board of Elders for Pillar. After spending time in thought, prayer, and study of the Scriptures, each one accepted this call! I am very excited about working with them and watching how God will bring us closer to one another and closer to Him through this process.
This Sunday morning (May 8th), during my time of Pastoral Prayer, I will introduce them and their spouses to the congregation and offer a ‘prayer of commission’ over them. While I will not spend much time explaining the elder role in detail, I think it will be appropriate to anticipate and seek to answer questions that may arise. Please take a moment and read through them. As questions come to your mind, please let me know.
1. Why will Pillar have an Elder Board?
· It is apparent from the New Testament that those who were gifted as elders were identified early in the church and comprised the earliest leadership structure. Within decades of the Resurrection we see the development of the ‘elders’ into an official office but it was always based upon giftedness and calling. Please read the following texts that refer to elders in the New Testament: I Timothy 3:1-12; 4:14; 5:17 – 25; Titus 1:5-9; Titus 2:7-8,15; Titus 3:9-10; I Thessalonians 5:12 – 24; Acts 11:30; 14:23; 15:2; 15:4; 15:6; 16:4; 20:17; 20:28; 21:1; James 5:14; I Peter 5:1-4; Hebrews 13:7 – 19. So, we simply believe that the elder form of government is the one that is best supported by the Scriptures.
2. What are their responsibilities?
· The Scriptures refer to the elder role as one of ‘oversight’ in a local congregation. They provide coverage, protection and boundaries for the congregation and act as ‘shepherds’ on behalf of our Lord, Jesus the Christ (I Peter 5:1 – 4). Practically speaking this means that elders guide and nurture the flock. Elders are to be examples to be followed before the flock and within the community.
3. Who is the boss, the pastor or the elders?
· Actually, neither – we are all leaders ‘unto the Lord,’ which makes Christ the boss. As elders, we will function under the principles of ‘plurality of elder rule’ and ‘one voice among equals.’ These principles remind us that each voice has equal merit and deserves to be equally held. Our inaugural elder team is excited to embark on a journey of ‘community spiritual discernment’ that we believe will help us fully hear from the Lord and follow Him when He moves. While the elders will invest responsibility and authority in the pastor and lay leaders of the congregation we will also be highly involved in mentoring and ministering to one another!
4. What will the Elders be concerned with initially?
· There is much that faces a local congregation on a day to day basis – this reality is only heightened in a church plant. This elder team’s agenda will likely address issues such as the development of a mission statement, and the generation of policies that offer structures to support this ever growing ministry. One of our first objectives will be to establish a couple of other leadership teams (Deacon and a Leadership Advisory Board). Deacons, as you might already know, were another office prevalent in the New Testament church. This office by its very name denotes those who are gifted and focused upon service within the Body of Christ. The Leadership Advisory Board, on the other hand, is not referenced in the New Testament. However, we feel that there are some individuals in the Body with good strategic and planning skills that can advise the elders on issues of strategy and tactics. We feel at liberty to make good use of the giftedness of these individuals for the benefit of the Body as a whole.
5. Will Pastor Biz always ‘hand pick’ the elder board?
· No, the elders will establish a nominating process that is consistent with Scripture whereby the congregation will identify and nominate qualified candidates (based on those qualifications listed in I Timothy and Titus) to be presented to the sitting board. The elders will then contact those individuals, discuss the role with them, pray over the names and make selections which will be ratified by the congregation. The elders will also establish leadership training to assist in developing future deacons, elders and leaders within the congregation.
6. Does Pillar recognize both men and women as candidates for elder and other leadership positions?
· Yes. We believe the Scriptures affirm the service of all gifted men and women within the local Body. While we understand the complexity and magnitude of this issue, we hold our position firmly and are dedicated to teaching the Scriptures faithfully to the Body around this and other issues over which Christians may reasonably disagree.
7. What literature (other than Scripture) is the Elder Board currently reading and/or studying together?
· Discerning God's Will Together (A Spiritual Practice for the Church), By Danny E. Morris & Charles M. Olsen
· Deep Church: A Third Way Beyond Emerging and Traditional, by Jim Belcher
I am excited about this moment in the history of this young church Christ has established in Vero Beach. As I close, allow me to do so with a passage from Hebrews 13:7 that I believe serves as a ‘commission’ for both the congregation and the elders: “Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.”
This verse reminds us that Christ has and does establish the leadership of a local congregation for the purpose of ‘watching’ over us and leading us unto Him! In order to do this, the Body is called to willingly submit (i.e., support, affirm, pray for, get know, etc.) the elders and leaders. The elders and leaders, however, are called to remember that we serve as ‘ones who will have to give an account’ for how we conduct our service. If the Body and her leaders are moving in this biblical rhythm of ‘submission and accountability,’ then the ministry will flourish, provide great advantage for members of the Body and bring with it great joy!
2011 Elders for Pillar Community Church: Biz Gainey, Cindy Kusmer, Charlie Harper, Tim Smick
Grace and Peace!
Biz
No comments:
Post a Comment