Untitled Sermon (2)

You have been identified as one of the men who we believe is meant to lead our church body as one of the elders. “Elder” in the New Testament is one of the offices of the church, responsible for exercising spiritual oversight over the flock entrusted to them.

We read about elders throughout the New Testament, in the book of Acts and in a couple of Paul’s letters.

Acts 20:28

28 Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood.

1 Timothy 3:1–7

1 Here is a trustworthy saying: Whoever aspires to be an overseer desires a noble task. 2 Now the overseer is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3 not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. 4 He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him, and he must do so in a manner worthy of full respect. 5 (If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?) 6 He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil. 7 He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap.

Titus 1:6–9

6 An elder must be blameless, faithful to his wife, a man whose children believe and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient. 7 Since an overseer manages God’s household, he must be blameless—not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain. 8 Rather, he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined. 9 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.

Please be in prayer about whether you sense the LORD calling you to this role. We need faithful and humble spiritual leaders like you to help lead, direct, and oversee the church family.

Reach out to any of us with questions, with concerns, or with thoughts. We’re praying for you and our for our church, that God’s will would be done.

In God’s Service,

Tyler Black, Joe Boyles, Barrett Case, Richard Kithcart, Don Swope