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Introduction
Next week we will resume our look into the book of Hebrews.
This week, we have a unique week.
Oftentimes, our sermons are for anyone who wants to come into the doors.
Saved, unsaved, part of this church or not part of this church.
We try to preach a simple and applicable message for everyone.
This week is a little different.
This is an important week for our church because we will be presenting you with three men that we are recommending for eldership.
This week is different because we will take a look at how the leadership of our church is aligned.
We will look at the definition of elder from the Bible
We will look at the qualifications of the elder
We will look at the structure of the NT church
We will share with you how our church is structured
Last, we will put all of these principles into practice and share with you the men we are presenting today.
Why is this important?
This may seem like a bland topic, but it is very, very important for a number of reasons.
We will highlight this through these points.
I am not criticizing or knocking churches that do not follow our model.
We follow the model we follow because of our interpretation and conviction from the Bible.
There are certainly people who are saved by the grace of God through faith in Christ Jesus that are not a part of an elder-led church.
Read 1 Timothy 3:1-7
Topic
“Elder” defined
Episkopos- Overseer, bishop, elder, leader
This defines the function of the word “elder”
Presbyteros- Elder, position,
This is the formal position of leadership.
In the time of Jesus, the Jewish Sanhedrin were also called the elders of Israel.
There are those who would say that eldership is simply wise guidance from older people within the church.
You may be able to come to that conclusion looking purely at the Episkopos definition.
You could not come to that conclusion looking at the Presbyteros definition.
Presbyteros is the most common usage in the NT (66 to 4) over Episkopos.
The role of elder can be traced back to the OT times.
The elders of a town would sit at the city gates.
When people had conflict or needed wisdom, they went to the elders of the city and the elders would direct them.
This can be seen in the story of Ruth from the OT.
Boaz went to the elders to present the situation.
The elders directed the right path.
They oversaw the transfer of Ruth and the estate of Naomi.
This was done in a way that aligned with the customs of their people and resulted in peace and unity in their village.
It is a role that was present in the time of Jesus
Jewish religion had developed in a more national sense.
There were not individual and separated cities.
They were a nation.
The synagogue system coupled with the Sanhedrin provided leadership in each town.
This role then took on new meaning within the new developing church of the NT.
Similar to the Synagogue set up of the Jewish people, each town had its “church” or its collection of followers of Jesus.
Some met in each others homes, others met more formally, some met publically, while others met privately.
But in any case, each geographic community had its collection of elders
Paul’s process in planting churches is seen in Titus 1:5
When Paul was finishing one of his missionary journeys, he knew his time on earth was coming to an end.
Elders (Presbyteros)
His message to those appointed as elders of Ephesus…Acts 20:28-31
overseers- Episkopos- The elders (formal) and their role (overseers) are seen together here.
Conclusion, the model of the early church was to establish elders in every town.
There was to be unity and protection of the flock in every town.
That unity and protection was overseen by the elders in every town.
In every case, elder is plural.
There is a precedent for a plurality of elders, not just one.
There are elders and deacons and no other biblical roles
You might think roles like Head Pastor, or Pastor, or Associate Pastor are biblical positions.
They are not.
Pastor is mentioned, but it is in a caring position of the flock.
We want a lot of pastors in our church, but this is not mentioned as a formal role of leadership within the church.
Preaching was the role of some of the elders.
The Word of God had to be communicated to the flock.
This was done by the elders and church leaders like Paul and Timothy, and Titus.
Qualifications of an elder
An elders role is largely defined in terms of relationship.
In 1 Timothy 3 we see a long list of requirements that an elder should exhibit.
I am going to break them down into a few relational components
Notes from 1 Timothy 3 sermon
An elders relationship with God
An elders relationship with his family
An elders relationship to himself
An elders relationship with others
Real Life Newport church structure
We are an elder led church
We do not have formal roles of “pastor” or “head pastor”
We have elders and only elders.
We desire to have a plurality of elders as our leaders.
My role is unique here because most people see me as the preaching elder and equate it as “head pastor” in their comfort zone and place of familiarity.
But my role is simply one of a plurality of men who have different roles and different skills that all serve and oversee the Body of Christ.
Notes from 1 Peter sermon
Real Life Newport Process
Call up Larry, Neal and Bill (and Brian)
Introduce each of them.
Talk about the path for Brian and I
Talk about the path we have taken Larry, Neal and Bill through
Training
Evaluation
Heart
Introduce them as prospective elders.
This will be your role once these men are appointed
Are they Biblical leaders?
Do they meet the Biblical qualities of an elder?
We desire clarity on this from the body.
We have observed for a time, but we are not the only ones.
If you have any Biblical reason, or question why one of these men should not be an elder.
If you have a hesitance, or a question about one of them.
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