Eldership Preparation StudiesEastside church of Christ – Feb. 2007

Eldership Preparation StudiesEastside church of Christ – Feb A Biblical Examination Of How One Might Prepare Himself For The Eldership

Eldership Preparation StudiesEastside church of Christ – Feb Some Introductory Comments… We’re discussing something not required of all, but is to be “desired” 1 Tim 3:1 The Holy Spirit through Paul used 2 different words for “desires” Ê If a man “stretches forward to…” cp. Heb 11:16 Ë He “sets his heart upon…” (a strong coveting) cp. Mt 5:28 Acts 20:33

Eldership Preparation StudiesEastside church of Christ – Feb Some Introductory Comments… We’re discussing something not required of all, but is to be “desired” 1 Tim 3:1 A man may live & die and eventually go to heaven without ever serving as an elder However, elders are part of God’s plan for the N.T. church, and thus we must study it

Eldership Preparation StudiesEastside church of Christ – Feb Some Introductory Comments… Something is “lacking” when a local church does not have elders Titus 1:5 Not saying “elderless” local churches cannot accomplish good for the cause of Christ There may not be any men qualified to serve Yet, a local church is not fully organized w/o them

Eldership Preparation StudiesEastside church of Christ – Feb Some Introductory Comments… Why elders? As a matter of the Biblical record, the Holy Spirit has willed that qualified men serve in such a capacity Acts 20:28 Such men oversee, watch for, and feed the souls under their charge that are “…among them” 1 Pet 5:1-3

Eldership Preparation StudiesEastside church of Christ – Feb Some Introductory Comments… Why elders? As a matter of pragmatism, people joined together in a cause need leaders True economically, domestically, athletically, etc. How much more true spiritually? cp. Mt 9:36 In His absence, the Chief Shepherd wills that “under shepherds” tend the flock 1 Pet 5:4

Eldership Preparation StudiesEastside church of Christ – Feb Some Introductory Comments… Other truths to keep in mind - Ê A proper understanding of Acts 14:23 Admission…brethren were appointed soon to this work in the 1 st century church However, that does not mean they will be so easily appointed in the 21 st century How was this able to happen then & not now?

Eldership Preparation StudiesEastside church of Christ – Feb Some Introductory Comments… Other truths to keep in mind - Ê A proper understanding of Acts 14:23 We believe 1 Cor 12:4-8 provides the answer Brethren (through apostolic hands) had access to spiritual gifts…wisdom, knowledge Insight of the gospel to serve in such a capacity was gained much quicker than can be today

Eldership Preparation StudiesEastside church of Christ – Feb Some Introductory Comments… Other truths to keep in mind - Ê A proper understanding of Acts 14:23 We believe 1 Cor 12:4-8 provides the answer Male disciples today gain wisdom through growth & maturation – a process taking years Such is the need for classes like this…to emphasize the preparation necessary to serve

Eldership Preparation StudiesEastside church of Christ – Feb Some Introductory Comments… Other truths to keep in mind - Ë The precedent found in Acts 6:2b-3 To alleviate the problem of neglected widows, brethren were told to “…select from among you” This was a serious matter, demanding a serious choice

Eldership Preparation StudiesEastside church of Christ – Feb Some Introductory Comments… Other truths to keep in mind - Ë The precedent found in Acts 6:2b-3 Surely, the brethren only selected those in whom they had confidence (not a political choice) How others see you before you serve directly affects your ability to serve The very point made re: deacons 1 Tim 3:10

Eldership Preparation StudiesEastside church of Christ – Feb Some Introductory Comments… Other truths to keep in mind - Ë The precedent found in Acts 6:2b-3 Again, the emphasis is on the time it takes to gain the trust of those who might later consider you to serve as an overseer Time spent preparing yourself now would be those years it would take to gain their trust

Eldership Preparation StudiesEastside church of Christ – Feb Where Do Elders Come From? Perhaps the first (and best) question to ask Basic, simple N.T. statements re: elders Every local church had them Acts 14:23 They were “among the members” 1 Pet 5:2 A quick survey of many local churches reveals there is a scarcity of competent elders

Eldership Preparation StudiesEastside church of Christ – Feb Where Do Elders Come From? Perhaps the first (and best) question to ask A quick survey of many local churches reveals there is a scarcity of competent elders The church needs elders more than we need more gospel preachers!! Yet, many churches grow desperate in such an absence and appoint men not really qualified

Eldership Preparation StudiesEastside church of Christ – Feb Where Do Elders Come From? Perhaps the first (and best) question to ask Some have concluded that this shortage of elders indicates they are a “rare breed” Good elders are hard to find…like diamonds They are a “breed apart from regular disciples” – even sometimes seen as “super disciples”

Eldership Preparation StudiesEastside church of Christ – Feb Where Do Elders Come From? Perhaps the first (and best) question to ask The truth is…elders are not a “rare breed” Elders are not any more ordinary than all other N.T. disciples of Jesus Christ Yes, there are “extraordinary people” in the local church – Christians are such a “breed”

Eldership Preparation StudiesEastside church of Christ – Feb 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, He was not “super” because he was an apostle who had seen the resurrected Christ

Eldership Preparation StudiesEastside church of Christ – Feb 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, He was “super” because he was a disciple!

Eldership Preparation StudiesEastside church of Christ – Feb 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 StudiesEastside church of Christ – Feb. 2007