Elder Selection and Appointment

I Peter 5:5 5Likewise, 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."

Two Qualities

1. Humility

2. Spirit of Subjection or Submission

Two Qualities

1. Humility

   8Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. 9 Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing. – I Peter 3:8-9

Two Qualities

1. Humility2. Spirit of Subjection or Submission

 

Citizens to the government – I Peter 2:13-17 Servants to masters – I Peter 2:18-21 Wives to husbands – I Peter 3:1-7

Two Qualities

1. Humility2. Spirit of Subjection or Submission 19addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, 20 giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ. – Ephesians 5:19-21

Advice to the Congregation

Look for men with the character of the Luke 15 shepherd

Increase your knowledge of those men Help them to be good husbands and fathers Tell them what you see in them

Advice to the men

Desire the workEndeavor to stayBe careful with commitments

Work now as a shepherd Study the hard questions

The Church’s Role in Desiring and Developing Elders

What can you do as a congregation or as individuals to help men grow spiritually and develop so they are eventually prepared to serve effectively as elders?

Advice to the Congregation

Look for men with the character of the Luke 15 shepherd

Increase your knowledge of those men Help them to be good husbands and fathers Tell them what you see in them

George Goodman is 55 years old. He and his wife, Gwen, have been members at the Griffin Glen Church of Christ for over thirty years. Their three children have all moved away from home and are faithful Christians. The church has 200 members and four elders, one of whom has announced that he will step down soon due to the illness of his wife. George is one of the most dependable members at Griffin Glen, organizing workdays and participating often in leadership roles for public worship, even preaching a few times over the years. Three years ago, the church went through a selection process for new elders. One man was appointed. As George looks back, he was a little surprised at the time that he was not selected, but he just assumed that eventually it would happen. None of the elders gave George any feedback at that time. Now the church is again to start a selection process. In the back of his mind, George was thinking it was likely that he would be appointed, but yesterday he overheard a conversation between two women members whom he respects. In their conversation, George learned that he has a reputation for being rash. At work, he has always been known for his decisive decision-making. Now George is confused and not sure what he should do (if anything).

Advice to the men

Desire the workEndeavor to stayBe careful with commitments

Work now as a shepherd Study the hard questions

Elders as Shepherdsof the Sheep

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What do you say to a newly-appointed elder?

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Shepherding the Sheep

• Wrong & Bible Pictures of our Walk• Bible Pictures of Elder’s Work• How Sheep Respond

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Misconceptions of Discipleship

• Checklist – Only do minimum to maintain acceptable status.

• Pie – Life has independent compartments, including religion. Keep them separate, in balance.

• Train – Join the right church—stay onboard; little effort required.

Heb 12:1-2Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us. 2looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

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I Cor 9:24-27Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. 25And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. 26Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight; not as one who beats the air. 27But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.

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II Tim 2:3-5

You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 4No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier.

5 And also if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules.

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II Tim 4:6-7

For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. 7I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

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Better Images of Christianity

• Race (Heb 12:1)• Warfare (II Tim 2:3-4)

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• Train• Pie• Checklist

Who wouldn’t want qualified & trusted: instructors, coaches, trainers, platoon

leaders, physicians, consultants, protectors, mentors, models, cheerleaders

Shepherding the Sheep

• Wrong & Bible Pictures of our Walk• Bible Pictures of Elder’s Work• How Sheep Respond

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Ruling the Household of God

• Earthly fathers “chasten…for our profit”(Heb 12:9)

• Paul, a father to Corinthians: “imitate me”(I Cor 4:14-16)

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…For if a man does not know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the church of God? (I Tim 3:5)

I Cor 4:14-16

14 I do not write these things to shame you, but as my beloved children I warn you. 15 For though you might have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. 16 Therefore I urge you, imitate me.

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Ruling the Household of God

• Earthly fathers “chasten…for our profit”(Heb 12:9)

• Paul, a father to Corinthians: “imitate me”(I Cor 4:14-16)

• Paul, a father & mother to Thessalonians(I Thes 2:7-12)

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…For if a man does not know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the church of God? (I Tim 3:5)

I Thessalonians 2:7-12

But we were gentle among you, just as a nursing mother cherishes her own children. 8So, affectionately longing for you, we were well pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God, but also our own lives, because you have become dear to us. 9For you remember, brethren, our labor and toil; for laboring night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, we preached to you the gospel of God.

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I Thessalonians 2:7-1210You are witnesses, and God also, how devoutly and justly and blamelessly we behaved ourselves among you who believe; 11as you know how we exhorted, and comforted, and charged every one of you, as a father does his own children, 12that you would have a walk worthy of God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory.

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Who wouldn’t want care-givers like this?

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Ruling the Household of God

• Earthly fathers “chasten…for our profit”(Heb 12:9)

• Paul, a father to the Corinthians (I Cor 4:14-16)

• Paul, a father & mother to Thessalonians(I Thes 2:7-12)

• Paul, a father to Timothy in the faith(I Tim 1:2)

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…For if a man does not know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the church of God? (I Tim 3:5)

Who wouldn’t want a spiritual father like this?

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Shepherds (Ezek. 34)

• Search & Rescue (11)

• Bring out of World to safety (13, 28)

• Feed in rich pasture (14)

• Bind up the weak & sick (16)

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Who wouldn’t want shepherds like this?

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I Tim 5:17

Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine.

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Heb 13:7

Remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct.

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I Thessalonians 5:12-13

And we urge you, brethren, to recognize [appreciate, acknowledge] those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, 13and to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. Be at peace among yourselves.

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Heb 13:17

Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.

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Who wouldn’t want “rulers” like this?

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Shepherding the Sheep

• Wrong & Bible Pictures of our Walk• Bible Pictures of Elder’s Work• How Sheep Respond

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Responsibility of Sheep

• Be at peace among yourselves(I Thes 5:13)

• Esteem highly – for work’s sake(I Thes 5:13; I Tim 5:19)

• Do not create grief(Heb 13:17)

• Submit… but what does this mean?

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What does submitting look like in this work?

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Who wouldn’t want a shepherd like this?

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What do you say to a newly-appointed elder?

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“I am following…”

Following the Chief Shepherd

“And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice.” (John 10:4)

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Backup/Extra

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A Church Leader’s WorkActs 20:17-35

• Paul was their example.18 – “you know … what manner I always lived with you”

31 – “watch & remember”

35 – “I have shown you in every way”

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Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God

which He purchased with His own blood. (v 28)

Goals of the Work(Acts 20:17-35)

• Survival of the Flock“I am innocent of the blood of all men.” (26)

“…after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock.” (29)

• Growth/Health“Which is able to build you up…” (32)

“You must support the weak” (35)• Destiny

“Give you an Inheritance among all the sanctified.” (32)

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Shepherding the Church(Acts 20:28)

20 – Proclaimed everything helpful(publicly & from house to house)

27 – Declared the whole counsel of God

29 – Protect from external threats (wolves)

30 – Protect from internal threats (false teachers)

31 – Watch & warn night & day

33 – Provide for own needs & needs of others

35 – Support the weak (Give, not receive)

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Sheep Shepherding Duties

• Address immediate problems – Address personal crises (all sorts)– Address questions & doubts of faith

• Watch for spiritual dangers– Know each member– Assess backgrounds, weaknesses, ignorances, errors– Reprove poor decisions: ungodly habits, dangerous companions,

lack of growth, lack of self-discipline, slack attendance…– Assess potential & plan development

• Teach & counsel for needed life changes– Provide warnings & advice – Model the desired behavior– Teach & counsel for changes– Set objectives & monitor progress

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The “Rule” and “Response”

I Tim 5:17 (rule well )

labor in word/doctrine double honor

Heb 13:7 (rule over)

spoke word follow their faith

Heb 13:17 (rule over)

watch for souls be submissive

I Thes 5:12-13 (over you in the Lord)

labor among you/admonish esteem highly

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Sheep Shepherding Duties

• Organize spiritual support– Inform others of needs, enlist help – Arrange for personal teaching, checkups, companionship

• Provide opportunities for personal growth– Assign specific duties that are challenges– Assign teaching, care, mentoring duties– Assist and provide critique for challenging assignments– Provide training

• Initiate & lead discipline processes.• Prepare others for leadership• Give attention to physically sick• Strive in prayer for all.

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