Welcome & Introduction to Elders Conference 2021

Welcome

I am excited to welcome you all here this evening

I am also excited to welcome those of you who are joining us online live tonight or who may be viewing a recording of tonight’s event. It is my prayer that God richly blesses us as we worship and learn together and that God is glorified.

Whether you are part of New Life or another, you know that the leadership of a local church is tremendously important to the health of the church. If you have been involved in a local church for any amount f time, you have most likely learned that lesson both through negative and positive experiences.

If you’re like me, and spend any amount of time thinking about local church ministry, you may have wondered why God would choose to use people to care for and lead His church. When I think of my own shortcomings as a leader in the church. My own sin, my own insecurities, my own pride. And knowing that we all are here as sinful, flawed men, it is humbling to come to grips with the fact that God equips such people to minister to His church.

1 Peter 5:1–4 ESV

So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.

So much could be said here, but what I take significant comfort in is that Jesus is the Chief Shepherd, and I am an under shepherd. A tremendous responsibility to be sure, but the nurture, stability, security and overall health of the church is not ultimately in my hands. Not ultimately your responsibility. That belongs to our Chief Shepherd. He will build His church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it.

Thanks

Pastors

Keith Strunk

Jason Hoy

Beau Coffman

Josh Miller

For those here from other churches

Calvary Baptist Church

Those of you online

For those watching who are part of this church. Men and women who may never be an elder, but want to know what an elder is to be and to do.

Andrew Barnes Jr. for leading our singing

For those who made dinner tonight and are overseeing all details related to food and decor.

Housekeeping

Handouts: write questions for each message

Q&A after each message

Live streaming so don’t ask or answer unless you are doing so through a mic

Online audience: follow the schedule. at the conclusion of each session, you should see a countdown clock for when the next session will begin.

bathrooms are in the back to the right

Happy birthday to my father-in-Law