Function and Role of Elders

THIS PROCESS IS NOT SET IN STONE (IT IS JUST AND EXAMPLE). IT WILL NEED TO BE DISCUSSED AND RATIFIED AT THE APPROPRIATE TIME (IF NEEDED) BY THE MEN’S MEETING BEFORE IT IS ADOPTED AS THE PROCESS THAT WILL BE USED.

As we embark to discover biblical spiritual men willing to serve our congregation, below is some information for you to prayerfully consider.  This is for members of the congregation.

 

*** Elder Selection document presented to men’s business meeting

 

*** Jeff’s thoughts on The Role and Function of Elders
*** Jeff’s thoughts on Bible terms, Qualities/Qualifications for Elders


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Recordings

Below are recordings of Wednesday evening and then Sunday morning discussions about Elders.  Please listen to them carefully and prayerfully consider what was discussed.  At times you may have to turn up the volume to hear what is being said, sorry the moderator had the only a mic most of the recordings.

Starting on 25 May 2016 ** the recording was not normalized so maybe a little louder…this is in hope that everyone can be heard.

- 25 Dec 2016 info (Herman Pope moderating)
- 18 Dec 2016 – No morning Bible Class due to weather
- 11 Dec 2016 info (Herman Pope moderating) – batteries in recorder died
- 4 Dec 2016 info (Herman Pope moderating)
- 27 Nov 2016 info (Alan Priest moderating)
- 20 Nov 2016 info (Alan Priest moderating)
- 13 Nov 2016 info (David Stevens moderating)
- 6 Nov 2016 info (Jeff Kenee moderating)
- 30 Oct 2016 info (Buckley Simmons moderating)
- 23 Oct 2016 info (Buckley Simmons moderating)
- 16 Oct 2016 info (Mark Otter moderating)
- 9 Oct 2016 info (Herman Pope moderating)
- 2 Oct 2016 info (John Olas moderating)
- 25 Sep 2016 info (John Olas moderating)
- 18 Sep 2016 info (David Stevens moderating) – first few minutes did not get recorded. Also I think the mic was not turned on, so you most likely turn up the volume to hear what is being said
- 11 Sep 2016 info (David Stevens moderating)
- 4 Sep 2016 info (David Stevens moderating)
- 28 Aug 2016 info (David Stevens moderating)
- 21 Aug 2016 info (Johnny Brooks moderating)
- 14 Aug 2016 – ** it was not reordered.  You will need to get with someone who attended this session to see what was discussed. 
- 7 Aug 2016 info (Jeff Kenee moderating)
- 31 Jul 2016 info (Jeff Kenee moderating)
- 24 Jul 2016 info (Jeff Kenee moderating)
- 17 Jul 2016 info (Jeff Kenee moderating)
- 10 Jul 2016 info (Jeff Kenee moderating)

22 Jun 2016 – It was decided that Sunday morning Bible study would be a better time for the congregation on this discussion.
It will start back up on 10 Jul 2016

********** Jeff’s thoughts on Bible terms, Qualities/Qualifications for Elders

- 15 Jun 2016 info (Jeff Kenee moderating)

********** Jeff’s thoughts on The Role and Function of Elders

- 8 Jun 2016 info (Jeff Kenee moderating)
- 1 Jun 2016  **the 1st Wednesday prayer service was held so Eldership was not discussed but was included in prayer
- 25 May 2016 info (Herman Pope moderating)
- 18 May 2016 info (Herman Pope moderating)
- 11 May 2016 info (Herman Pope moderating)
- 27 Apr 2016 info (Jeff Kenee moderating)
- 20 Apr 2016 info (Jeff Kenee moderating)
- 13 Apr 2016 info (Jeff Kenee moderating)

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Revised Questions

CLICK HERE FOR A PRINTABLE VERSION

For the original questions go to the bottom of this web page, under Archive Questions.

These are the questions that were raised during the first sessions of our Study on the role and function of Elders.  I have grouped together those that I think fall into the same category of question.  The questions dealing with process I have included at the end with a brief commentary.
Jeff

1. What is the purpose of elders?
a. What teaching skills does an Elder have?

2. How will the congregation know the men who will lead?
a. How do we determine somebody knows who God is and who determines that?

3. How can we know if these men and their wives can hold Confidentiality?

4. What does a spiritual man look like?
a. What does a spiritual woman look like?

5. What is the elder’s wife’s role?
a. What role does the reputation of elder’s wife have?

6. How does God work through us to choose the elders?

7. What does it mean to manage one’s household well?
a. What does the husband of one wife mean?
b. What does a one woman man look like?

8. When does a person’s offspring transfer from being a child to adult?
a. What is the responsibility of parents with adult children outside the household?

9. How old must one be to be an elder and how long in the faith?
a. Who holds elders accountable?

10. What does an elder’s life look like within the community? (reputation)
a. What does it mean to be above reproach?
b. Is it appropriate for an elder to drink alcohol?

11. Must a prospective Elder already be functioning like an Elder?  If so what does that look like?
a. What is the elder’s prayer life like?
b. Is there any forgiven sin that could prohibit a man from serving as an elder?

12. What is the congregation’s responsibility to the elder/elders?
a. What is the role of the congregation towards Elders?

13. What are the checks and balances/ relationships between the elder and congregation, deacons, evangelists
a. Can a preacher serve as an elder?

14. What congregational decisions can an elder make?
a. Who sets the vision/direction of the congregation?
b. If changes need to be made who makes that decision?

15. Who decides where and how the money is spent.
a. Who hires and fires staff?

Jeff  will deal with the following Questions at the end of all presentations.  The final detailed process will be presented to the Men’s meeting prior to presentation to the whole congregation.
1.    What Process of selecting elders will we use?
a.    Are there term limits on elders?
b.    Who chooses elders?
c.    How are elders chosen?


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Passages relating to Elders

This list is not an exhaustive list, Please feel free to contact Jeff to have other passages you think are relevant to be added to the list.

CLICK HERE FOR A PRINTABLE VERSION
The text used is the ESV  (English Standard Version)

1 Peter 5:1-5 So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that Is going to be revealed: shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those In your charge, but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”
Acts 14:23 And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed.
1 Timothy 3:1- 16 The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he
desires a noble task. Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife,
sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,not a drunkard, not violent but gentle,not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own household well,with all dignity keeping his children submissive, for if someone cloes not know how to manage his own household,how will he care for God’s church? …
Acts 20;17; 28-36 Now from Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called the elders of the church to come to him …
James 5:14 Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.
1 Timothy 5:17-19 Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox when It treads out the grain,” and, “The laborer deserves his wages.” Do not admit a charge against an elder except on the evidence of two or three witnesses.
Titus 1:5-9 This Is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained Into order, and
appoint elders in every town as I directed you – If anyone Is above reproach, the husband of one wife, and his children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or Insubordination. For an overseer, as God’s steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled,upright, holy, and disciplined. He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give Instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it ….
Acts 11:30 And they did so, sending it to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul.
Ephesians 4:10-14 He who descended Is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.) 11And he gave the apostles,the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood,1’1 to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, 14 so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning,by craftiness in deceitful schemes
1 Timothy 4;14 Do not neglect the gift you have,which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you.
Hebrews 13:7 Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life,and imitate their faith.
Hebrews 13:17 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.
Ezekiel 34:1-31  Ezekiel’s prophecy against the shepherds of Israel.

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Archive Questions

Below are the questions that were raised during the first session on 14 Apr 2016 of the Study on the role and functions of Elders.  Please consider them carefully.  If you have additional questions to be added to the list; bring them to Bible Study on Wednesday evening or get them to Jeff Kenee.
CLICK HERE FOR A PRINTABLE VERSION

1.    What is the purpose of elders?
2.    What Process of selecting elders will we use?
3.    How will the congregation know the men who will lead?
4.    How can we know if these men and their wives can hold Confidentiality?
5.    What does a spiritual man looks like?
6.    What does a spiritual woman look like?
7.    What is the elder’s wife’s role?
8.    How does God work through us to choose the elders?
9.    What does it mean to manage one’s household well?
10.    What does the husband of one wife mean?
11.    What does a one woman man look like?
12.    Are there term limits on elders?
13.    Who holds elders accountable?
14.    When does a person’s offspring transfer from being a child to adult?
a.    What is the responsibility of parents with adult children outside the household?
15.    How old must one be to be an elder and how long in the faith?
16.    How do we determine somebody knows who God is and who determines that?
17.    What does an elder’s life look like within the community? (reputation)
18.    Is it appropriate for an elder to drink alcohol?
19.    Must a prospective Elder already be functioning like an Elder?  If so what does that look like?
20.    What does it mean to be above reproach?
21.    What role does the reputation of elder’s wife have?
22.    What is the congregation’s responsibility to the elder/elders?
23.    What is the elder’s prayer life like?
24.    Is there any forgiven sin that could prohibit a man from serving as an elder?
25.    What teaching skills does an Elder have?
26.    What are the checks and balances/ relationships between the elder and congregation, deacons, evangelists
27.    What is the role of the congregation towards Elders?
28.    Can a preacher serve as an elder?
29.    What congregational decisions can an elder make?
30.    Who sets the vision/direction of the congregation?
31.    If changes need to be made who makes that decision?
32.    Who hires and fires staff?
33.    Who decides where and how the money is spent.
34.    Who chooses elders?
35.    How are elders chosen?
•    Acts 6-Speaks of Deacons ; Acts 20:28; Titus 1:5-told to go and appoint elders, Galatians 5:22-23