People Spots
Online
Produced by James W.
Moss, Sr., and Church Consultants
Provided as a service by New Life Ministries
Understanding Elders
by James W. Moss, Sr.I served as pastor of local churches for 18 years before becoming a denominational staff person. I know now that during that time I had a number of excellent elders who served their churches well but who could have and would have done so much more if I had encouraged and equipped them. I simply didn’t understand the role of elder in a local church. I had not been taught how in seminary. My role models and mentors didn’t teach me how either. In fact, it almost seemed as if elders were to be avoided unless there was serious trouble.
An elder is a mature Christian who is called of God to minister to the spiritual needs of the congregation. If your church polity doesn’t include lay elders as a part of the leadership team, then you will need to adapt this concept to your system. This inner core probably should not exceed 5 key people. Jesus had an inner core in his council. They were Peter, James and John.
If I were pastoring a local church today, I would have at least a bi-weekly meeting with my elders. Preferably, there would be a weekly meeting.
First, we would establish a covenant of confidentiality. That would be done so we could talk about any of the concerns, ministries, and people of the church. An understanding would be established that a break in the covenant of confidentiality would be cause for dismissal from the position of elder.
With that in hand, then the pastor and elders will be free to discuss any issue of ministry, in programming, or about people. With such openness, then pastor and elders can pray effectively for program and people issues.
I would also bring any proposals that I intend to present to council (the governing board) to the elders first. If they couldn’t buy into what was being presented, it would not go past them to the council. If they accept the proposal then they could present it to council as an act of the elders. If I can’t convince the spiritual leaders of a need, then I will have trouble selling the council.
I have also learned that people I trust who love Christ and the church have protected me from mistakes. I will seldom buck a respected leader when they caution me against certain actions. If I firmly believe I am right and that what I have proposed is of the Lord, I will strive to convince that person.
Example of an elders meeting
Pastor Jim George is in a weekly meeting with his four elders. They spend thirty minutes in prayer. They pray for each other, for the church, and for several people in the church going through difficult times. After prayer, John Harper looks at his pastor and asks: “Jim, why were you so abrupt with Mary Hickson on Monday? Her feelings were hurt deeply.” Pastor George responds, “Ouch, I didn’t feel that I had presented myself that way. I will talk with Mary tomorrow and report back next week.” Pastor George then reports that the Harrisons and the Markers were experiencing some family difficulty. Once again there was prayer for those two families. Pastor George also reported on four families whose attendance patterns had changed in the last two months. Each of the elders took one family and would follow up on them and report back next week.
Then Pastor Jim George shared with the elders three things that he wished to begin at the church. First, he wished to implement a servant evangelism project to 400 homes nearest the church. Second, he wished to have a block party with a pig roast and invite the people in the 400 homes nearest the church to attend at no cost. Third, he wanted to introduce a new Sunday morning worship service at 8:30. All three proposals were discussed openly. It was decided that the elders would present the servant evangelism project and the block party at the next council meeting. It was clear; a lot of work and praying needed to be done on the second service proposal. That was put on hold.
May God open our hearts to equipping leaders to lead and have legitimate input into our ministry.
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October 20, 2003. Volume 6, Issue 13. People Spots Online is prepared by James W. Moss, Sr., and Church Consultants. It is provided as a service by New Life Ministries, www.NewLifeMinistries-NLM.org. Articles may be duplicated and reproduced in any way with proper credit. A new article is produced about every two weeks. To be added to a list to receive these messages directly by e-mail, send a request to churchconsultants@yahoo.com.