1. Dunlap church of Christ Questions? Just Let Us Know!
Welcome
To The Services
Of The
Dunlap church of Christ
Questions? Just Let Us Know!

2. Luke 16:1-8
“And he said also unto his disciples, There was a certain rich man, which had a steward; and the same was accused unto him that he had wasted his goods. (2) And he called him, and said unto him, How is it that I hear this of thee? give an account of thy stewardship; for thou mayest be no longer steward.”

3. (3) Then the steward said within himself, What shall I do
(3) Then the steward said within himself, What shall I do? for my lord taketh away from me the stewardship: I cannot dig; to beg I am ashamed. (4) I am resolved what to do, that, when I am put out of the stewardship, they may receive me into their houses.”

4. (5) So he called every one of his lord's debtors unto him, and said unto the first, How much owest thou unto my lord? (6) And he said, An hundred measures of oil. And he said unto him, Take thy bill, and sit down quickly, and write fifty.”

5. (7) Then said he to another, And how much owest thou
(7) Then said he to another, And how much owest thou? And he said, An hundred measures of wheat. And he said unto him, Take thy bill, and write fourscore. (8) And the lord commended the unjust steward, because he had done wisely: for the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light.”

6. Are The Children Of The World Really Wiser Than The Children Of Light?
In setting priorities?
In finding motivation?
When it comes to the importance of leadership?
Business, gov’t., sports

7. Can you name a historical figure for whom you have respect as a leader?
Can you name a leader from history whose leadership had significant negative influence on humanity?
“A good leader is one who ________.”
There is not much emphasis given to preparing and training leaders in the church today. (James Meadows?)

8. Developing Elders I Timothy 3:1; Titus 1:5
Elders not optional
Sometimes unable to obey God, but never should disregard inspired teaching
Churches with elders need others.
Per I Peter 4:11and Romans 6:17-18, is it not hypocritical to claim such but do nothing concerning it?
How should we approach this area?

9. Organizational Possibilities
Scripturally unorganized: no qualified men, Acts 14:23, temporary
Scripturally organized: divine ideal, Phil. 1:1
Unscripturally unorganized: qualified men not serving, never right, Titus 1:5
Unscripturally organized: unqualified men serving (III John 9-10), different organization, rebellion

10. Setting The Objective For Elders
Titus 1:5
Doing otherwise is sin - James 4:17
Failing to desire can be sin, Matthew 25:1-30.
Constructing a plan: each godly objective attainable

11. Involve The Whole Church
Acts 6:1ff
Current elders, deacons
Preachers, teachers
Parents
Older women, young women
Young men, all men
Unqualified men
Omit no one!

12. Special Effort With The Youth
Ecclesiastes 12:1; I Timothy 4:12
“Clean slate”
No old attitudes to overcome
Enthusiasm of youth
Many years of training/experience
Commit to observing divine standards, not some radical brother’s

13. Continuing Effort Deaths, moves, disqualification
Congregational growth
New elders often needed

14. Scriptural Principles To Incorporate
Our “fine & dandy” not necessarily God’s
Workers, not figureheads
Work demands qualifications.
Realistic view of qualifications
Practical: character, reputation, family, habits, abilities
Attitudes toward qualifications, men just as important as work, qualifications

15. The wisdom of training classes - concentrated teaching, discussions, better understanding, motivation
Possible dangers, problems are not a sufficient cause to disregard God’s will
Home failure is the greatest cause for no elders
Prepare men for criticism, church for caution about accusations, I Tim.5:19-20.

16. I Timothy 5:19-20
“Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses. (20) Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear.”

17. Priority of kingdom –– willingness to serve, Matthew 6:33
Carnal men seeking to control, to serve as elders musts be confronted: “Thou art the man!”
Better to not have elders than wrong kind: another option available

18. Conclusion Best results follow doing right.
No definition of “vision” or “spiritual” excluding elders can be right!
God knew the sheep’s need for shepherds!