Talk:Eldership
Romans 12:4 For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:
1 Timothy 3:1 ¶ This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.
8 ¶ Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;
9 Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.
10 And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless.
11 Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things.
12 Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.
13 For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.
12 Then came also publicans to be baptized, and said unto him, Master, what shall we do? 13 And he said unto them, Exact no more than that which is appointed you.
David wrote in Psalms 23:1 "The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want."
Luke 3:1 ¶ Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judaea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of Ituraea and of the region of Trachonitis, and Lysanias the tetrarch of Abilene, 2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. 3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. 5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.
Psalms 80:1 ¶ « To the chief Musician upon Shoshannimeduth, A Psalm of Asaph. » Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, thou that leadest Joseph like a flock; thou that dwellest [between] the cherubims, shine forth.
The lack of knowledge concerning the role of elders and deacons in the early Christian community is in part the lack of understanding of the function of the early Church appointed by Christ. Revisiting a few of the definitions of terms used in the biblical text and the history of that era
We are not training the very men who lead and have oversight of our churches. We erroneously believe that our serving elders and deacons understand spiritual oversight and care, but in fact our churches are filled with elders and deacons who confess that they are unprepared and untrained for their work.
Biblical Eldership, when used in connection with the main text, Biblical Eldership, provides twelve comprehensive lessons regarding biblical eldership principles. It is designed for use by the prospective new elder under the direction of a mentoring elder, or can also be used in group study.
John 10:11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.
John 10:14 I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.
TUTORIALS
MENTORING PLAN
Roots of the Church are the congregations of the people.
- Culture of Christ. How does the culture of Christ differ from the culture of the world? That culture does not seek to undermine local customs and cultures. In history, almost all cultures have elements of the kingdom culture of Christ.
- Empowering people. The kingdom of God is the power of God, Holy Spirit of God, operating in the heart and mind of every man. The operation of a man from within the communities or people as groups cannot diminish the power of choice, liberty of choice, of the individual without limiting the Holy Spirit. The right to choose and the power to act must not be diminished as an individual pursuit but instead acceptance of responsibility should be encouraged and even required at every opportunity.
- Demonstrate Christ. Christ's life was a manifestation of the Master Plan for life created by God. He laid down his life in love and picked up life more abundant. The Way of love and sacrifice through charity was an alternative to the way of the world, of covetousness, force, and unforgiveness that leads to sloth and weakens the poor.
- Communicate Vision. To paint a picture of the kingdom of God we mut learn the meaning of words used by the prophets of the kingdom
- Express Core Values. The values of Christ must dwell in the hearts and minds of every elder who sits down with his fellow man in Congregations of Recorded Elders (CORE)
- Understand Christ's Purpose. The purpose of Christ was that everyman would be lead by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit in his heart and in his mind.
- Define Your Community. CORE
- Start with the End in Mind Priorities
- Strategies
Every congregation of record (CORE)should have its own email group which includes the minister of the minister and should establish a weekly call through a phone tree.
ELDER TRAINING PROGRAMS
ELDER MISSION
Latin decānus ('chief of ten people; dean')