Deacon & Elder Biographies 2018

Transcription

1 Deacon & Elder Biographies 2018 South Lansing Christian Church 6300 Aurelius Road Lansing, MI

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3 Selection Elders and Deacons As a church from a Restoration Movement tradition, we desire our church to reflect the principles of the first-century. Consequently, it has always been our goal to do Bible things, Bible ways. When choosing elders and deacons, that has resulted in a bit of a head-scratcher. The Bible is less than precise when describing how elders and deacons were chosen in the first church. In Acts 6 we learn that the church in Jerusalem selected seven men to serve as deacons. We don t know the specific mechanics of how they were selected, just that they chose them. In Acts 14:23 we read how Paul and Barnabas appointed elders in the churches they planted on their first missionary journey: When they had appointed elders for them in every church, having prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed. The Bible is clearer on the qualifications for those who lead. In 1 Timothy and Titus the Apostle Paul tells his young protégés characteristics to look for in godly church leaders. Paul tells Titus, The reason I left you in Crete was that you might put in order what was left unfinished and appoint elders in every town, as I directed you. For some time now our elders have wrestled with how we select our leaders. An annual election seems to reflect our American culture more than it does the intentions of scripture. Nowhere in scripture do we see the church voting for her leaders. In fact, according to our church s Constitution and By-Laws, there are only two instances in which our church gathers to take a vote: for the selling of the church s property, and in the calling of a new Senior Minister. Our Constitution and By-Laws set forth a much different process for selecting elders and deacons than the annual election that we have followed for many years. According to that document selection of elders is as follows:

4 Selection of Elders and Deacons 1) A plurality of Elders from the active membership will oversee the organization and operation of the Church. 2) Biblically, the spiritual leaders of any local Church should be Elders. Acts 14:23 Acts 20:17, Titus 1:5 1 Timothy 5:17 1 Peter 5:1-4 Deacons are servants of the congregation who are of good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom Acts 6:1-6 3) Qualifications are clearly laid out in scripture. 1 Timothy 3:1-13 Titus 1:5-9 4) Who may become an elder or a deacon? Anyone may be an Elder or a Deacon who the current Elders determine meets the qualifications and desires the work. The selection process can happen anytime during the year. 5) Selection of an Elder/Deacon a) Presentation of a Candidate to the Elders. This can be a recommendation from any member of the congregation. b) Investigation of Candidate i) By Questionnaire ii) By Interview c) Decision Process i) Candidate s personal decision ii) Confidence vote by Elders iii) Presentation of the Candidate to the Congregation with a statement of recommendation from the Elders. iv) Signed letter from any member may be presented to the Elders for consideration and resolution. v) Appointment and Ordination. We believe that this process is more in line with the practice of the New Testament church, as we understand it. Consequently, we will begin using this process for selecting both elders and deacons rather than having an affirmation vote by the congregation as we have done in the past. We recognize this represents a change in how we operate as a church, so please feel free to direct your questions to one of the elders.

5 Revised: Gender Roles in South Lansing Christian Church We believe that All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16-17, New Living Translation) The Bible provides examples and principles that give us insight into how we should live out our faith. The controversy surrounding gender roles in the church often arises from efforts to determine when a scriptural example or principle applies to all cultures and when it applies only to the culture for which it was originally written. Additional debate occurs due to differing views on translation and interpretation. When it comes to spiritual authority, we believe God's Word gives only one clear and distinct restriction of a gender-specific role in the church. The elder overseers of the church are to be males (1Timothy 3, Titus 1:6). They exercise spiritual authority and accountability over the congregation just as Jesus does to the church. They serve and lead in spiritual growth. We are all servants. The Greek word that is sometimes translated as the English word servant is the same word that is sometimes transliterated * to the English word deacon. In Acts 6, some men were set apart to serve as deacons, and Paul prescribed qualifications for deacons in his letter to Timothy. (1Timothy 3) His instructions to Timothy regarding deacons were not as specific with regard to gender as his instructions to Timothy regarding elders. After prayer and study of the scripture, the Elders have concluded that the role of deacon is not restricted to men only. We will, therefore, consider appointing as deacons qualified men and women who have the desire to do so and who meet the scriptural qualifications outlined for service as a deacon * This means to create a new word in the new language. For example, the Greek word diakonos is converted to a new English word, deacon. The Greek word baptizo becomes the English word baptize.

6 2018 DEACONS

7 Daniel Batdorff I have been a part of SLCC for 34 years. I have served as a deacon for 12 years, in the Kid's City Ministry for 13 years, and on the Finance team for 6 years. I m married to Jennifer and we have two sons, Christian (14 yrs.) and Jonathan (10 yrs.). I work as a Commtech 5, Network Engineer for Comcast. In my spare time I enjoy backpacking, camping, hunting and anything outside. Anthony Beattie My name is Anthony, most people call me Tony. My wonderful wife Dana and I have 5 children, 3 boys and 2 two girls, in a blended family. We have been at South 6 years at Christmas. Our passion is working with people in personal and professional growth and we look forward to serving South using what God has given us in gifts and learning. Justin Beauchamp My wife, Samantha, and I have been attending South regularly for eight years. We serve many areas of the church including setting up chairs, packing boxes for the food pantry, helping out kids city and helping on church work days. We currently host a small group and we're leading a Financial Peace University course. I have a PhD in cell and Molecular biology and I'm happy to be a stay at home dad to Clara, our 2 year old daughter. I enjoy almost anything that involves spending time outdoors. I have a boat and like to take people fishing.

8 Scott Bunnell Scott has been married to Monica (Moni) for 16 years. They have two beautiful children, Audrey (15) and Gabe (13). They live in Lansing and have been attending South for almost eight years. Scott was raised attending Holmes Road Church of Christ and was baptized at age 15. Scott s love for music and performing arts has blessed him with the desire to lead congregational singing and teaching/coaching kids in our Kid s City ministry. Scott is also member of the evangelism team. Ben Cohoon My wife, Erin, and I have three children, Adrienne, Adam and Isaiah. I have been a part of SLCC for 39 years. I am a self-employed residential contractor. I have served as a deacon, small group leader, as well as served on the chair crew, finance team and property team. My hobbies include basketball, carpentry/woodworking, hunting and fishing. Ken Coulter My wife Pam and I have been married for 19 years. We have a daughter, Amanda, and two sons Devon and Aidan. I ve lived in the area all of my life. Pam and I started at South just before the move to this building. We ve been on the property team for 13 years and in Kid s City for 9 years. I m also on the Lock-up Team.

9 Ben Hobbs Benjamin J Hobbs has been attending South Lansing Christian Church since He has served in the A/V ministry for 20 years and as Deacon for 10 years. He and his wife, Jenny, adopted three terrific children 2 years ago: Damian (10), Angel (8), and Lillian (6). Ben works as a Project Engineer for Union Pacific Corporation. He is an avid gamer and enjoys coming up with weird recipes. Paul John Lundy I was born in 1961 on my mother s birthday in Mason, MI and born again in I was Baptized at South Lansing Christian church s old Pennsylvania Ave. bldg where I also met wife of 27 years, Brenda. We have two wonderful children, Justin-age 25 and Sharaya-age 22. God has blessed me with so much in my life and this just seems to be the natural next step. I know that without Christ in my life, I would be nowhere near the person I am today. South has been a very large part of my Christian development and this gives me the chance to give back to the church and perhaps help some others along the way in the own Christian journey. Tim Palmer Jr Tim has been a member at South Lansing Christian Church for 35 years and an active Deacon for 11 years. He has served on the Worship Team playing guitar for several years and enjoys the weekly involvement for expressing his glorification to the Kingdom of God. The Palmer family is blessed with 2 sons named Travis Duke (3), and his his older brother Jace Robert who is now 5 years. Tim's beautiful wife Jackie of 14 years enjoys motherhood and exploring her new interest in videography. She is also an accomplished photographer whose works are well known throughout the church community. Tim continues to serve the community as a Physician Assistant at the Beals Institute since 2016.

10 Brady Roffey I grew up in a split home with my dad mostly in Charlotte and my mother mostly in Eaton Rapids. To make a long story short, it was a complicated childhood. I went to Eaton Rapids High School and graduated in Thereafter, I attended Great Lakes Christian College. I graduated with a Bachelor s degree in Biblical Theology and Psychology. I have been attending SLCC since December of During my time here I have been in discipleship with Senior Minister Frank Weller, participated in the creation and cultivation of Thrive, represented Thrive on the election council that added Walter Neuenschwander to our church family, and made many friends and acquaintances. I believe that SLCC is the place for me to share my spiritual gift of service as a Deacon. Martti Siltanen Martti Siltanen was born in Hammond, Indiana in His first years were spent in Gary, Indiana before his parents moved to the Lansing area for work. Martti grew up and went to Holt schools. After High School, Martti lived in Rockport, Texas for six years before moving back to the Lansing area in He started working at Silver Lead Company in July of 1990 and still works there. It is a division of Oleary Paint. He went to several different churches until invited to SLCC by friends. He started coming to SLCC in 2010 and was here several years before joining a Men's Group. He serves in Guest Services and the Serve25 Ministry.

11 Jon Walker I have attended South Lansing Christian Church for 15 years where I have been involved with kids city, guest services, chair crew, offering and communion server along with being involved in small groups. My wife Jeannie and I have 5 adult children and one grandson. I enjoy sports and yard saling. I have worked at heart trust and engineering for over 24 years. Tim Young My name is Tim Young. My wife Melissa and I have been married for 9 years and we have two beautiful daughters Serenity (8) and Annalise (6), which we adopted 4 years ago. I work as a Fiber optic engineer at Zayo. We have been at SLCC for 6 years. My wife and I are active in Kids City and in our small group. I enjoy spending time with family and remodeling our house that was built in 1900 as a one room schoolhouse. We look forward to serving God and SLCC for years to come.

12 2018 ELDERS

13 Mike Blakely I have been at South since the fall of I am a retired civilian from the Michigan State police. I have served as an Elder since the late 1980s and have served as a Deacon, Bible School superintendent, and taught junior high. Presently I co-lead the Senior Saints class, serve on the Missions Team, and lead a small group. I have five children, Carol, David, Nicole, Andrew and Mark. I m also blessed with three daughters-in-law and one son-in-law, and have seven grandchildren and one greatgrandchild. My hobbies are reading, being with family, and a passion for people to love South as much as I do. Collin Brown I have been a part of South my whole life. I am so blessed to be able to call South my church home. I was ordained at an Elder in Currently I am teaching discipleship classes, overseeing communion prep with my mom, playing guitar for Kids City worship on 5th Sundays, enjoying the fellowship and bible study with the men's group, and whatever else I can get myself into, haha. I would love to pray and talk about how your story connects with God's story and what our next steps are in our faith journeys. Jim Hobbs This congregation at South Lansing has taught, shared, and cared for me since I was a small child. On a certain summer Sunday evening, I decided to step forward to be baptized at the invitation time. Standing at the edge of the baptistery, I saw my feet were covered in dust from playing outside that afternoon. Not only were my feet cleansed that day, but my sins were forever washed by the blood of Jesus on the Cross. Many leaders and teachers over the years have invested their time and talents to be mentors, and for that I would like to say "Thank You".

14 Joe Seaton This is Joe Seaton and I have known the Lord since my adolescent days but established a relationship with Jesus Christ as my relationship with my wife, Gail developed. Beginning with the Albion Church of Christ and closer to Lansing, Gail and I attended many congregations including West Lansing Church of Christ, Holmes Road church of Christ and now at SLCC! My wife and I have two grown children, Annalise and Alexander. I have retired from the Lansing School District. What I love to do is lead people to grow in their knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ through discipleship programs offered at the church. It's great to work with the men's group and develop relationships through labor, study and growth. I have been one of your elders for seven years and have enjoyed leading the team this past three years. If it weren't for journaling, surely I would have forgotten the plethora of ways in which God "showed up" in a great and mighty note-worthy way not only in my personal life, but in the life of the congregation as well. Let's thank God in advance for what He is going to do by faith for the church. Bryan Tarrant My name is Bryan Tarrant and I have been married to my wife Joy for almost 23 years. We have 3 daughters Kaitlyn (John), Jessica and Taylor (David) and were blessed to see them all baptized in our time at South. We have been attending South Lansing Christian Church for the past 6 years, and feel blessed that God led us to South as our home church. I have been involved in the men s ministry for most of my time at South and have been helping lead men s groups for the last 4 years.

15 Frank Weller Frank graduated from Great Lakes Christian College in 1989, and earned a Master of Arts degree from Huntington College in Prior to coming to South, Frank served three different churches in Indiana. Frank met and married his wife, Tracy, in college and they have shared thirty years together as husband and wife. They are parents to three adult children, Abigail, Caleb and Jonah. In his spare time, Frank enjoys golf, hunting, reading and writing.