Elders (in training) -
“Godly leaders keep us on track.”
As soon as it
became feasible, the New Testament apostles (or their
representatives) appointed men with high spiritual
qualifications to be “elders” for the local churches of
every city (Acts 14:23; Titus 1:5-9; 1 Tim. 3:1-11). The
pastoral leadership provided by these men is just as
critical in contemporary churches, so a process is needed
to evaluate potential elders, to assist those not yet
qualified so they can make the necessary advances, and to
recognize those who are ready to serve. That process should
include:
1.
Developing a descriptive list of elder responsibilities and
qualifications, then prayerfully and candidly evaluating
all “candidates” in light of that list.
2. Involving those who aren’t yet qualified in a program of
learning and training to help them become more so.
3. Laying-on hands and publicly ordaining those who meet
the qualifications and wish to serve a church (or network
of churches) as elders.
TEACHING
IDEAS - To
help you present this "essential" to your group(s) and
potential elders so they will adopt and apply it, click on
this link:
Elders (in
Training).