eldership preparation studieseastside church of christ – feb. 2007
TRANSCRIPT
Eldership Preparation Studies Eastside church of Christ – Feb. 2007
Eldership Preparation Studies Eastside church of Christ – Feb. 2007
A Biblical Examination Of How One Might Prepare Himself For The Eldership
Eldership Preparation Studies Eastside church of Christ – Feb. 2007
Where Do Elders Come From?• Elders come from disciples of the Lord
• They are people “out of this world” Jn 3:3-5, 8• They have left everything behind for the sake
of the heavenly kingdom Mt 16:24-25• They must be like Paul Phil 3:7-8, 13-15
• He was not “super” because he was an apostle who had seen the resurrected Christ
Eldership Preparation Studies Eastside church of Christ – Feb. 2007
Where Do Elders Come From?• Elders come from disciples of the Lord
• They are people “out of this world” Jn 3:3-5, 8• They have left everything behind for the sake
of the heavenly kingdom Mt 16:24-25• They must be like Paul Phil 3:7-8, 13-15
• He was “super” because he was a disciple!
Eldership Preparation Studies Eastside church of Christ – Feb. 2007
Where Do Elders Come From?• Elders come from disciples of the Lord who
are men• The terms “elder” & “bishop” = masculine
1 Tim 3:1ff Titus 1:6ff• “lf any man…” indicates the gender of the elder
• Obviously (and w/o chauvinism), female disciples cannot be bishops cp. 1 Tim 2:12
Eldership Preparation Studies Eastside church of Christ – Feb. 2007
Where Do Elders Come From?• Elders come from disciples of the Lord who
are mature men• The term “elder” refers to one who is mature
in his age• Yet, his age is not the only consideration…the
concern is also about his experience in the kingdom and his spiritual development
Eldership Preparation Studies Eastside church of Christ – Feb. 2007
Where Do Elders Come From?• Elders come from disciples of the Lord who
are mature men• An elder cannot be a novice 1 Tim 3:6
• An older man could be a new convert, new in the faith
• However, he would not yet be ready to lead others even though he was older in years
Eldership Preparation Studies Eastside church of Christ – Feb. 2007
Where Do Elders Come From?• Elders come from disciples of the Lord who
are mature men• An elder needs to possess the qualities of a
“grown up child of God” cp. 1 Cor 3:1-3• This is required of all disciples, but is especially
true of the bishop
Eldership Preparation Studies Eastside church of Christ – Feb. 2007
Where Do Elders Come From?• Elders come from disciples of the Lord who
are mature men with families• It is not remarkable for a man to be married
cp. Gen 2:18• It is not uncommon for a married man to be
a father cp. Psa 127:3
Eldership Preparation Studies Eastside church of Christ – Feb. 2007
Where Do Elders Come From?• Elders come from disciples of the Lord who
are mature men with families• What is under consideration is the type of
family man he is• A man’s family life has been the “proving
ground” wherein he has demonstrated his aptitude to serve as an overseer
Eldership Preparation Studies Eastside church of Christ – Feb. 2007
Where Do Elders Come From?• Elders come from disciples of the Lord who
are mature men with families• A man’s family life has been the “proving
ground” wherein he has demonstrated his aptitude to serve as an overseer
• The submission of his wife 1 Tim 3:11 Eph 5• He has earned his wife’s respect 1 Pet 3:5-6
Eldership Preparation Studies Eastside church of Christ – Feb. 2007
Where Do Elders Come From?• Elders come from disciples of the Lord who
are mature men with families• A man’s family life has been the “proving
ground” wherein he has demonstrated his aptitude to serve as an overseer
• The obedience of his children 1 Tim 3:4-5 Eph 6• Not in “terrorizing them into compliance”
Eldership Preparation Studies Eastside church of Christ – Feb. 2007
Where Do Elders Come From?• Elders come from disciples of the Lord who
are mature men with families• A man’s family life has been the “proving
ground” wherein he has demonstrated his aptitude to serve as an overseer
• The salvation of his children Titus 1:6• Is he able to lead others to the Lord?
Eldership Preparation Studies Eastside church of Christ – Feb. 2007
Where Do Elders Come From?• Elders come from disciples of the Lord who
are mature men with families who also meet other character-based requirements or qualifications• Issues we will examine more in-depth in our
coming studies
Eldership Preparation Studies Eastside church of Christ – Feb. 2007
Where Do Elders Come From?• So, in retrospect, it is not a “challenge” or
“remarkable” for us to find…• …disciples Mt 28:18• …disciples who are men Acts 4:4 5:14• …disciples who are mature Eph 4:14-16• …disciples with families Acts 10, 16
Eldership Preparation Studies Eastside church of Christ – Feb. 2007
Where Do Elders Come From?• Back to our original question…why do so
many local churches not have elders?• Could it be these same churches do not
have enough godly disciples?• We’re not trying to pass judgment on others• Perhaps that is where the “scarcity” really is
Eldership Preparation Studies Eastside church of Christ – Feb. 2007
Where Do Elders Come From?• At this moment, this local church is only 5
heartbeats away from being w/o overseers• Our elders are only mortal men, taking their
place for the “need of the moment”• That is the real reason for these studies…
someone must be ready to take their place
Eldership Preparation Studies Eastside church of Christ – Feb. 2007
Where Do Elders Come From?• At this moment, this local church is only 5
heartbeats away from being w/o overseers• Such noble work won’t be accomplished by a
last-minute decision, “I think I’ll be an elder”• Preparation must be made for such duties…
preparation that begins with you NOW
Eldership Preparation Studies Eastside church of Christ – Feb. 2007
Where Do Elders Come From?• If you want to be an elder,…
• …start by being a faithful, committed disciple of Jesus Christ cp. 1 Pet 1:13-16
• …prepare yourself and then desire to serve as an overseer of one of God’s local flocks, either here at Eastside or somewhere else as Divine providence might lead you
Eldership Preparation Studies Eastside church of Christ – Feb. 2007
The Prospective Shepherd• Having established where we find such a
man, we now must examine him personally• Areas where Divine revelation provides
information that addresses who he should be His character does he possess the “moral
fiber” necessary to serve?
Eldership Preparation Studies Eastside church of Christ – Feb. 2007
The Prospective Shepherd• Having established where we find such a
man, we now must examine him personally• Areas where Divine revelation provides
information that addresses who he should be His family do his domestic successes or
failures either qualify or disqualify him?
Eldership Preparation Studies Eastside church of Christ – Feb. 2007
The Prospective Shepherd• Having established where we find such a
man, we now must examine him personally• Areas where Divine revelation provides
information that addresses who he should be His work will he be able to do such a work?
Eldership Preparation Studies Eastside church of Christ – Feb. 2007
The Prospective Shepherd• If men are going to be the people of God,
character is an issue• God is a moral, spiritual Being Jn 4:24• Man is also moral, spiritual Gen 2:7 Eccl 3:11
12:7• Character is especially important re: those who
would lead His people cp. Ex 18:21
Character
Eldership Preparation Studies Eastside church of Christ – Feb. 2007
The Prospective Shepherd• Two areas where the Biblical qualifications
address the shepherd & his character: How he presents himself How he interacts with others
Character
The first to be examined cp. Acts 20:28 2 Cor 13:5
Eldership Preparation Studies Eastside church of Christ – Feb. 2007
The Prospective Shepherd• The shepherd and himself
Not greedy for money 1 Tim 3:3 Titus 1:7• Other translations say “Not fond of sordid gain”
or “Free from the love of money” or “Not given (fond) of filthy lucre” or “Not a money lover” or “Not greedy for shameful gain”
Character
Eldership Preparation Studies Eastside church of Christ – Feb. 2007
The Prospective Shepherd• The shepherd and himself
Not greedy for money 1 Tim 3:3 Titus 1:7• The issue is not just affection for money, but
really is the way in which money is obtained• No “questionable” way to obtain wealth is allowed
Character
Eldership Preparation Studies Eastside church of Christ – Feb. 2007
“One who is not eager for base gain.”
The prohibition is against the dishonorable, disgraceful, or base advantage.
Thayer, p. 17
Eldership Preparation Studies Eastside church of Christ – Feb. 2007
The Prospective Shepherd• The shepherd and himself
Not greedy for money 1 Tim 3:3 Titus 1:7• The issue is not just affection for money, but
really is the way in which money is obtained• No “questionable” way to obtain wealth is allowed
Not covetous 1 Tim 3:3• Not loving or no insatiable appetite for money
Character
Eldership Preparation Studies Eastside church of Christ – Feb. 2007
The Prospective Shepherd• The shepherd and himself
Not greedy for money 1 Tim 3:3 Titus 1:7 Not covetous 1 Tim 3:3
Character
Required of all disciples Col 3:5 1 Tim 6:9-10, 17-19 Heb 13:5
Eldership Preparation Studies Eastside church of Christ – Feb. 2007