LOCAL CHURCHLEADERSHIPA BIBLICAL CASE FOR CHANGE AT LTCC

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MOVING FROM 1 GOVERNING BODY TO 2 GOVERNING BODIES

THE PROPOSED CHANGE

ELDERS

THECHURCH COUNCIL

CONGREGATION

PASTOR / BOARD

CONGREGATION

KEYS FOR EFFECTIVE GOVERNANCE

1. CALLING

2. CHARACTER

3. COMMUNICATION

4. CLEAR ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES

BIBLICAL

GOVERNANCE

ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES

ELDERS THE CHURCH COUNCILPastoral OversightMinister to Spiritual Needs Shepherd the FlockGive Account for Souls

Practical ServiceMinister to Operational Needs Serve the FlockGive Account for Stewardship

Doctrine

Discipleship

Direction

Discipline

Service• To the church family• To the surrounding community• To support missionariesStewardship• Financial• Facilities• Polices, Procedures, & Practices

FOC

US

RESPO

NSIB

ILIT

IES

LATEST VERSIONS

OF DOCUMENTS

laketappscc.org > Resources > Equipping Hour > Fall 2015 Local Church Leadership

SO WHAT’S NEXT?THE AFFIRMATION PROCESS

ARTICLE VCHURCH GOVERNANCE

 Section 1 GOVERNING BODIES:

 Recognizing Christ as the Head of the church and accountable to the members of Lake Tapps Community Church, the church will be led by TWO governing bodies: 1) the Elders, and 2) the Church Council. Affirmed annually by the membership and in alignment with the Lake Tapps Community Church Statement of Purpose, the Elders and the Church Council shall necessarily serve together in humility, cooperation, and collaboration in order to effectively lead and carefor the church.

A. Elders: Led by the Senior Pastor, the primary focus of the Elders will be to oversee the spiritual needs of the Body of Christ at Lake Tapps Community Church. Affirmed by the members, they will provide the pastoral oversight as those God has raised up to shepherd the flock (1 Peter 5:2) and give an account for souls (Hebrews 13:17). The Elders will be responsible for:

B. The Church Council: Under the direction of the Elders, the primary focus of the Church Council will be to provide oversight for the operational needs of the Body of Christ at Lake Tapps Community Church. Affirmed by the members to lead, the Church Council will ensure: 1) that ministries to the church, the community, and missionaries are carried out, and 2) that the finances and physical assets of the church are managed and stewarded appropriately.

Section 2 APPOINTMENT OF CHURCH LEADERS: 

New Elders will be recommended by the Elders and affirmed by the membership at the Annual Members Meeting or at a special members meeting convened by the Elders. New Church Council members may be recommended either by the Elders, the Church Council, or members. They will be affirmed by both the Elders as well as by the membership at the Annual Members Meeting or at a special members meeting convened by the Elders. All actively serving Elders and Church Council members will be affirmed annually by the membership at the Annual Members Meeting.

ARTICLE IXMEMBERS MEETINGS

 Section 1 FREQUENCY OF MEETINGS:

 A. An Annual Members Meeting shall be held in the month of January.

The purpose of the Annual Meeting will be:

1. To receive and approve annual financial and budget reports of officers and ministries of the church.

2. To affirm membership support for those in leadership positions. B. Additional meetings may be scheduled by the Elders or the Church

Council as needed.

So what exactly does it meanto “affirm?”

affirmverb af·firm \ə-ˈfərm\

1 a : VALIDATE, CONFIRM

b : to state positively

2 : to assert (as a judgment or decree) as valid or confirmed

3 : to express dedication to

to say that something is true in a confident way

WHEN WE AFFIRM OUR LEADERS . . .

We say that the following is true:

1. That they are CALLED to serve

2. That they are QUALIFIED to serve

3. That they are SUPPORTED to serve

But is itbiblical?

AFFIRMING CHURCH LEADERS

Formal affirmation ofleaders is a means to:

1. “See them” or “know them” (1Thess. 5:12)

We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you,

1Thessalonians 5:12 ESV

And we urge you, brethren, to recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and admonish you,

1Thessalonians 5:12 NKJV

AFFIRMING CHURCH LEADERS

Formal affirmation ofleaders is a means to:

1. “See them” or “know them” (1Thess. 5:12)

2. Acknowledge they are qualified (Acts 6:3-5)

Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty.

Acts 6:3 ESV

AFFIRMING CHURCH LEADERS

Formal affirmation ofleaders is a means to:

1. “See them” or “know them” (1Thess. 5:12)

2. Acknowledge they are qualified (Acts 6:3-5)

3. Count them worthyof honor (1Tim. 5:17)

Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching.

1Timothy 5:17 ESV

AFFIRMING CHURCH LEADERS

Formal affirmation ofleaders is a means to:

1. “See them” or “know them” (1Thess. 5:12)

2. Acknowledge theyare qualified (Acts 6:3-5)

3. Count them worthyof honor (1Tim. 5:17)

4. Yield authority to them,so they shepherd with joy (Heb. 3:17)

Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.

Hebrews 13:17 ESV

A BENEFICIAL PRACTICE

Regular affirmation of those in leadership:

1. Reinforces that church members have a responsibility for the overall testimony of their fellowship

2. Safeguards against leaders who go astray in doctrine or life.

3. Strengthens church governance through

the consent of those governed.

HOW WILL IT WORK?

LATE NOVEMBER / EARLY DECEMBER

NOMINATING COMMITTEE MEETS• Elder, Tim, Pam• 3 Church Members

RECOMMENDATION FORMED• Elders who terms are up• Clerk• Treasurer• Associate Treasurer

JANUARY MEMBERS MEETING

• RECOMMENDATION MADE TO THE CHURCH• Members invited to

nominate other candidates

• Members asked toaccept recommendation

CURRENT

HOW WILL IT WORK?

EARLYNOVEMBER

INITIATIONChurch formally asked to prepare to affirm those in leadership• The Elders• The Church Council• New candidates

recommended to serve

NOVEMBER DECEMBER

FAMILIARIZATIONMembers ensure theyknow their leaders

EXAMINATIONQuestions / Concernsraised and addressed•Directly if possible (Matt. 18)•Indirectly as necessary•Carefully (1Tim. 5:19)

JANUARY MEMBERS MEETING

AFFIRMATIONMembers formally affirm their support of those serving as elders and those serving on the Church Council

PROPOSED

HOW WILL IT WORK?

OCTOBER

RECOMMENDATIONNominating Committee has met

• 2 Elders• Clerk• Treasurer• Assoc. Treasurer

NOVEMBER DECEMBER

INITITATIONNov. 8 Equipping Hour & Letter from Tim

FAMILIARIZATIONMembers ensure theyknow their leaders

EXAMINATIONQuestions / Concernsraised and addressed

JANUARY MEMBERS MEETING

AFFIRMATION3 Motions for Membersto Accept and Affirm:

1. Nominating Committee recommendations

2. Proposed changes to the governance structure

3. The current board in their roles under the new governance structure

TRANSITION YEAR

LOCAL CHURCHLEADERSHIPA BIBLICAL CASE FOR CHANGE AT LTCC