A life marked by a personal discipleship and growth in relationship with Jesus. We need men who are growing in their relationship with God.

Transcription

1 MARCH 2018: 1 OF 5 BIBLICAL TEXTS 1 Peter 5:1-3 To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder, a witness of Christ s sufferings and one who also will share in the glory to be revealed: Be shepherds of God s flock that is under your care, serving as overseers not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. Titus 1:6-9 An elder must be blameless, the husband of but one wife, a man whose children believe and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient. Since an overseer is entrusted with God s work, he must be blameless not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain. Rather he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is selfcontrolled, upright, holy and disciplined. He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it. 1 Timothy 3:1-13 Now the overseer must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him with proper respect. (If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God s church?) He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil. He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil s trap. Deacons, likewise, are to be men worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain. They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience. They must first be tested; and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons. In the same way, their wives are to be women worthy of respect, not malicious talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything. A deacon must be the husband of but one wife and must manage his children and his household well. QUALIFICATIONS A member of Grace in good standing. A life marked by a personal discipleship and growth in relationship with Jesus. We need men who are growing in their relationship with God. A willingness to embrace our discipleship emphases of Reformed theology coupled with a life of prayer. All of our elders will join our leadership in regular practices of morning and evening prayer, as well as be encouraged to practice the sabbath, fast, etc.

2 MARCH 2018: 2 OF 5 Commitment to trusting God and pursuing personal holiness in all areas of life, such as edifying speech, biblical sexual purity, avoiding drunkenness, etc. and being open with Christian friends and mentors when you are struggling with temptation or sin. They should be well-regarded by those in the church and outside the church. Commitment to conflict resolution with others. This means they won t hold grudges or hide things from others. Instead, each person needs to take the initiative to resolve conflicts that occur to be honest, ask forgiveness and forgive. If married, they should be actively growing in their ability and willingness to love their wife. If they have children, they should be raising their children in the nurture and commandments of the Lord. Commitment to be watching for and seizing opportunities to serve, love and engage others as an expression of God s love growing in their own heart and life. Commitment to be a learner. This means that they are flexible that they will be willing to try new things and make mistakes, and that they will give others grace to fail too. They should be able to joyfully labor with the other members of the Session, the church staff, and the Deacons. In particular, elders should warmly embrace and welcome working alongside the godly and gifted women on our leadership team. Elders should embrace and uphold the distinctive teachings such as infant baptism, men and women in leadership, sexual ethics, Reformed doctrines of salvation, etc. AN ANALYSIS OF THE QUALIFICATIONS Their Heart These are the kinds of things that mark elders at their core: Willing/eager to serve Not overbearing, quick-tempered, or violent Hospitable, gentle, and free from love of money Lovers of the good Not a recent convert Firm in the faith Their Behavior What types of actions mark their life? Great examples Prudent, sensible and devout Not addicted to alcohol, drugs, work, sex, etc. Self-controlled and disciplined Able to teach others

3 MARCH 2018: 3 OF 5 Their Reputation What are they known for in the church and the world? Beyond reproach/blameless Not a bully or one who Lords it over others Respectable and just Not greedy, quarrelsome, or rebellious Their Family (If Applicable) You can t fake it with your family. These things should mark an Elder s family: Husband of one wife Manage household well Children who are respectful and dignified; good household manager EXPLAINING SOME KEY QUALIFICATIONS Beyond Reproach/Blameless Of course, this doesn t mean perfect or sinless. However, we do want elders who are blameless (i.e., there is no occasion or reason to charge him with an offense). 1 Timothy 3:8; Titus 1:6, 10 If married, beyond reproach in his marriage: Literally, a one-woman man [ Husband of one wife (1 Timothy 3:2, 11-12; Titus 1:6)]. Devoted to loving and serving his wife as Christ does the church. Not a flirt nor sexually promiscuous in any way. Beyond reproach in the church: Has a good reputation in the church (high integrity, what we would call a stand up guy ). Beyond reproach outside of the church (1 Timothy 3:7): Reputable in the community at large. Is considered ethically upright, noble, and honorable by those outside the church family. A great question to ask here is Would you want to work for/with this person or have this person working for you? Lover of the Good The individual loves all that s good, hating sin and evil. 1 Timothy 3:9; Titus 1:8 Humble (Titus 1:7): Not self-willed or arrogant. Gentle (1 Timothy 3:3): Equitable, fair, and moderate. Hospitable (1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:8): Literally, a lover of strangers. Their home is often opened to people who are not their closest friends. Upright (Titus 1:8): A righteous and just man. Conforms to the laws of God. Holy (Titus 1:8): Fights against evil conduct in his own life and is seeks to be observant of God s will. Dignified (1 Timothy 3:2): Someone who is decent, modest, and well ordered. This is not meaning merely in appearance, but in their inner life, which shows itself in their behavior and conversation.

4 MARCH 2018: 4 OF 5 Self-Controlled This person s life is not controlled by idols, addictions, emotions, or money. His family reflects his care and leadership (1 Timothy 1:6, 12; Titus 1:6): He places a very high value in attending the care and nurture of his family. His family is supportive of the church. He diligently cares for not only the physical needs of his children, but their emotional and spiritual needs as well. His emotions are under control (1 Timothy 3:3; Titus 1:7): He is not prone to anger or violence. He is gentle, patient, and understanding. His tongue is under control (1 Timothy 3:3, 8): He is not contentious or quarrelsome with others and he does not lie. His appetites are under control (1 Timothy 3:3, 8; Titus 1:7): He does not over-drink and is not addicted to drugs, alcohol, or sexual sin. His money and possessions are under control (1 Timothy 3:3; Titus 1:8): He is a man that fights against covetousness and is content with what God has provided. He is a responsible steward of money and possessions without habits of unnecessarily acquiring more or newer things. And what he possesses, he has acquired honestly. Skilled He has a firm grasp and knowledge of the Word of God and is able to govern God s people accordingly. Titus 1:9 Skilled to exhort: He is able to come alongside others to encourage individuals and appeal to them with the truth of God s Word. Skilled to refute: He is able to use the Word of God to convince or convict someone who contradicts or opposes the truth of God s Word. VOWS Elder Vows Do you believe the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, as originally given, to be the inerrant Word of God, the only infallible rule of faith and practice? Do you sincerely receive and adopt the Confession of Faith and the Catechisms of this Church, as containing the system of doctrine taught in the Holy Scriptures; and do you further promise that if at any time you find yourself out of accord with any of the fundamentals of this system of doctrine, you will, on your own initiative, make known to your Session the change which has taken place in your views since the assumption of this ordination vow? Do you approve of the form of government and discipline of the Presbyterian Church in America, in conformity with the general principles of Biblical polity? Do you accept the office of Ruling Elder in this church, and promise faithfully to perform all the duties thereof, and to endeavor by the grace of God to adorn the profession of the Gospel in your life, and to set a worthy example before the church of which God has made you an officer?

5 MARCH 2018: 5 OF 5 Do you promise subjection to your brothers in the Lord? Do you promise to strive for the purity, peace, unity and edification of the Church? Congregational Vow Do you, the members of this church, acknowledge and receive this brother as a ruling elder, and do you promise to yield him all that honor, encouragement and obedience in the Lord to which his office, according to the Word of God and the Constitution of this Church, entitles him?