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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?