Elder asSpiritual Leader

Rev. Wendy S. BaileyGeneral Presbyter

Monmouth Presbytery

Equipping the SaintsJanuary 10, 2015

Elder

What society thinks I do What my church thinks I do

What my family thinks I do

What I thought I would do

What I think I do What I really do

The “Call”

• From God• Discerned by

you• Confirmed by

the community

Elders• Πρεσβύτερος …

presbuteros• Ruling Elder and

Teaching Elder• Teaching Elder “shall

in all things be committed to teaching the faith and equipping the saints for the work of ministry.” [G-2.0501]

Ruling Elder“Ruling elders are so

named not because they ‘lord it over’ the

congregation (Matt. 20:25), but because they

are chosen by the congregation to discern and measure its fidelity to the Word of God, and

to strengthen and nurture its faith and life.”

[G-2.0301]

“Ruling elders, together with teaching elders, exercise leadership, government, spiritual discernment, and discipline and have responsibilities for the life of a congregation as well as the whole church …” [G-2.0301]

What can teaching elders do that ruling elders can’t?

1 Kings 3:1-14

1. How do you suppose Solomon feels about being King from this reading? How does this compare to how you feel about being an Elder?

2. What does Solomon ask God for? Why do you suppose this is more important than wealth or fame or a long life?

3. What is God’s response? From what you know about Solomon, did God follow through and grant these promises?

4. What questions do you have?

5. What other thoughts do you wish to share?

“Here’s what I want: Give me a God-listening heart so I can lead your people

well, discerning the difference between good and evil. For who on their own is capable

of leading your glorious people?”

Is leadership in the church inherently

different from leadership in

business or civic settings? Why or

why not?

Rowboat or

Sailboat?

“In many ways, sailing is just as hard as rowing. The difference is that

rowers are confined to the power they can generate themselves; sailors learn to let the boundless power of the wind move them where they need to go.”

Spiritual Leader

S P I R I T U A L

“one whose way of life is centered in a relationship

to the God revealed in Jesus

Christ.”

L E A D E R

“leads others to seek and do God’s

will”

S P I R I T U A L L E A D E R

“implies movement and change”

Authority1.Christ …

“Christ calls the Church into being, giving it all that is necessary for its mission in the world, for its sanctification, and for its service to God. Christ is present with the Church in both Spirit and Word. Christ alone rules, calls, teaches, and uses the Church has he wills.” [F-1.0202]

2.Church

3.Character of Leader• Trustworthiness

• Honesty

• Puts the Church ahead of own preferences

• Good intentions

• Competence

• Humility

Change in the Church• Birth of post-*-ism• Change is non-

incremental• Church no longer the

center of culture (end of “Christendom”)

• Need “adaptive” solutions

Great Spiritual

Awakening• Christianity is

fastest growing faith in the world.

• North America is largest mission field.

• Many Americans have a strong desire to grow spiritually.

A New Kind of

Elder/Leader

• Character• Spiritual Life

and Practices• Leadership

Skills/Abilities

Character• Love of Christ• Passionate Sense of

Call• Authenticity• Self-Aware• Courageous • Trusting and

Trustworthy • Competent and

Comprehensive

Spiritual Life &

Practices• Spiritual

Disciplines• Personal health

and balance• Christ-like living• Life-Long Learner• Effectively

communicates personal faith

Skills & Abilities

• discern and communicate God’s vision

• interpret and lead change• manage conflict

effectively• help members grow

spiritually • identify, develop, and

support other leaders• develop team leadership• develop the congregation

to be a missional outpost• reach the un-churched • lead a person to faith

• effectively navigate the world of technology

“God must have had a lot of confidence in you to put you on the planet at just this time. It was his sovereign decision to insert you onto planet earth during a time of huge transition. It takes incredible faith to lead during hinge points of history.”McNeal, Reggie (2009-07-14). The Present Future: Six Tough Questions for the Church (J-B Leadership Network Series) (p. 120). John Wiley and Sons. Kindle Edition.

“The future belongs to those who prepare for it, not those who plan for

it.”

McNeal, Reggie (2009-07-14). The Present Future: Six Tough Questions for the Church (J-B Leadership Network Series) (p. 119). John Wiley and Sons. Kindle Edition.

What to Expect

• More Spiritual Growth

• More Responsibility

• More Challenges• More Fulfillment

How to Prepare

• “With Me” principle

• Ask/Question• Study/Learn• Commissioned

Ruling Elder?