Church Elders:  Why, Who, What?
1 Timothy 3:1-7
Everything rises and falls on leadership
Everyone follows someone   -self, or someone else!
 
A leader always emerges when another leader disappears
-lack of preparation can lead to poor/wrong leaders
 
God has appointed Jesus to lead the church
-Jesus is the Chief Shepherd!
 
God calls out men to lead under Christ’s authority
-1 Peter 5:1-3  Elders, Shepherds, Overseers
-Sometimes called “Under-Shepherds”, under THE Shepherd
 
Local churches are led by Elders/Shepherds/Overseers
 
Why?  The reason for elders
Biblical Reason:  New Testament Pattern
-Titus 1:5  Paul instructed Titus to appoint elders in every church
 
Practical Reason:  Someone has to lead!
-Unspiritual leaders may emerge- incompetent, unspiritual, wolves!
 
Who?    1 Timothy 3:1-7 qualifications (see also Titus 1:5-9)
Above Reproach-  overall above average character
Faithful in Marriage- one woman man
-for sure means not married to more than one woman
-could mean not divorced and remarried, a common interpretation
-it does mean everyone agrees he is faithful to marriage!
Self-controlled- temperate, balanced life
Sensible- prudent, wise,
Respectable- the dignity and respect of his peers
Hospitable- loves strangers, isn’t into cliques, associates with all
Able to Teach- skilled at teaching, not necessarily a “preacher”
Not addicted to wine-  not interested in alcohol, self- controlled
Gentle (not a bully)- doesn’t pick fights, isn’t abusive
Not quarrelsome- isn’t looking to beat people in conversation
Not greedy- money is his servant, not vice versa
Manages household well- children, home, possessions, maybe people
   -overseeing a church is similar to overseeing a family
Not a new convert- qualified leaders take time to mature
Good reputation among unbelievers
 
What?  process of appointing elders and practical work of elders
Elders are affirmed by the church
-Elders oversee the selection process
-All church members nominate men they believe are qualified
-Elders conduct ordination interviews
-Church votes to affirm men who were affirmed by the Elders
 
Elders serve as needed by the church
-It is common for elders to serve for a set number of years, then rotate
-Senior Pastor/Elder serves indefinitely
 
Elders oversee all spiritual aspects of the church
-Preach, Protect, Pastoral Care
-Elders at St Joe serve under the authority of the whole congregation
-They DON’T micro-manage nor do all the work
    -everyone is a minister! 
 
What Now?
Pray for and support Elders  Hebrews 13:17
 
Support healthy accountability  1 Timothy 5:19
 
Nominate potentially qualified men  -Give names to elders
 
Consider your own calling! 
-if you are asked by your church to serve
-if you are led by the Holy Spirit to become an Elder




 
Here is the resume of a potential church pastor…
 
Before his conversion to Christ he was complicit in a murder
 
This man had been in prison frequently (Acts 16:37, Acts 24:7).
 
He has started more than one riot in a city (Acts 19:28).
 
He has been in frequent troubles with the local authorities (Acts 24).
 
He has frequent health issues (2 Cor 12:7).
 
He was not accepted and not trusted by most of the Christians early on and many were even afraid of him (Acts 9:26).
 
He was believed to have mental health issues by the local authorities (Acts 26:24).
 
He has been accused as being an insurrectionist by the local leaders (Acts 24:5).
 
He has been accused of being a leader of a cult or sect (Acts 24:5).
 
Everywhere he went, he seemed to cause problem and once he even quoted a world philosopher in trying to witness about Christ (Acts 17:28).
 
He was teaching doctrines that were contrary to the religious leaders of the day (Acts 24:5).
 
Would a man like this be affirmed by our local church??
 
This was the resume of the Apostle Paul!

​Church Covenant Message 2021 Part 2
What community are you depending on above all others?
National/Political community comes and goes
Cultural community evolves over time
The church community lasts forever!
-Matt 16:18  “I will build my church”
-Hebrews 13:13-16  God’s family of faith lasts forever!
-The Church will survive every earthly government!
 
Our church is driven by two key scripture passages
1.  The Great Commandment:  Matthew 22:36-40
-Love God- Worship
-Love your neighbor as yourself- Ministry/Service
 
2.  Great Commission:  Matthew 28:19-20
-Go…make disciples-  Evangelism/Missions
-Baptizing them- Fellowship/Community
-Teaching them- Discipleship (make disciples)
 
Everything we do fits into these Five Purposes
Worship
Ministry
Evangelism
Fellowship
Discipleship
 
Our Fellowship is guided by our Church Covenant
A promise to perform in a certain manner
Biblical Examples
-God and Man (Genesis 2:16,17; 9:1-17; 15:18)
-Leader and People  (Joshua 24:1-28)
-Person to Person (Genesis 31:43-55)
-Descriptions of a local church
-Marriage is a covenant
A Covenant = Relationship Commitment
 
Church Covenant = Fellowship Commitment
 
 
Our Four Covenant Agreements as church members
1.  I WILL PROTECT THE UNITY OF MY CHURCH
     ...BY ACTING IN LOVE TOWARD OTHER MEMBERS
     ...BY REFUSING TO GOSSIP
     ...BY FOLLOWING THE LEADERS
Romans 14:19  So then, let us pursue what promotes peace and what builds up one another.
 
Romans 15:5  Now may the God who gives endurance and encouragement grant you to live in harmony with one another, according to Christ Jesus,
 
1 Peter 1:22  Since you have purified yourselves by your obedience to the truth, so that you show sincere brotherly love for each other, from a pure heart love one another constantly,
 
Ephesians 4:29  No foul language should come from your mouth, but only what is good for building up someone in need, so that it gives grace to those who hear.
 
Hebrews 13:17  Obey your leaders and submit to them, since they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account, so that they can do this with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.
 
2.  I WILL SHARE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF MY CHURCH
     …BY PRAYING FOR ITS GROWTH
     …BY INVITING THE UNCHURCHED TO ATTEND
     …BY WARMLY WELCOMING THOSE WHO VISIT
 
1 Thessalonians 1:2  We always thank God for all of you, making mention of you constantly in our prayers.
 
Luke 14:23  “Then the master told the servant, ‘Go out into the highways and hedges and make them come in, so that my house may be filled.
 
Romans 15:7  Therefore welcome one another, just as Christ also welcomed you, to the glory of God.

3.  I WILL SERVE THE MINISTRY OF MY CHURCH
     …BY DISCOVERING MY GIFTS AND TALENTS
     …BY BEING EQUIPPED BY MY PASTORS
     …BY DEVELOPING A SERVANT’S HEART
 
1 Peter 4:10  Just as each one has received a gift, use it to serve others, as good stewards of the varied grace of God.
 
Ephesians 4:11-12  And he himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, to build up the body of Christ
 
Philippians 2:3-5  Do nothing out of selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves.  Everyone should look not to his own interests, but rather to the interests of others.  Adopt the same attitude as that of Jesus Christ.
 
 4.  I WILL SUPPORT THE TESTIMONY OF MY CHURCH
     …BY ATTENDING FAITHFULLY
     …BY LIVING A GODLY LIFE
     …BY GIVING REGULARLY
 
Hebrews 10:24-25  And let us consider one another in order to provoke love and good works, not neglecting to gather together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging each other, and all the more as you see the day approaching.
 
Philippians 1:27  Just one thing: As citizens of heaven, live your life worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or am absent, I will hear about you that you are standing firm in one spirit, in one accord, contending together for the faith of the gospel
 
1 Corinthians 16:2  On the first day of the week, each of you is to set something aside and save in keeping with how he is prospering, so that no collections will need to be made when I come.
 
Leviticus 27:30  “Every tenth of the land’s produce, grain from the soil or fruit from the trees, belongs to the Lord; it is holy to the Lord.
 
 
 
What must we do now with this church covenant?
1.  Thank God for every brother and sister who is committed to a spiritual relationship with you!
 
2. Evaluate your own commitment level
-Community- never/rarely attends
-Crowd- regular attender
-Congregation- member, committed to the covenant
-Core- giving yourself in practical and consistent ways
   -Connection Group participation
   -Serving somewhere in our church regularly
   -Giving personally
 
3.  Enroll in our Discovering Membership Class
-A four session (3.5 hours at once usually) Bible study
  -When and where?
 
4.  Let us know how to help you!
-Connection Card
-Contact page on our website
 

Church Covenant Message 2021 Part 1
What will define our lives? Circumstances or Commitment?
Will current events sweep you away, define your choices?
-you will live a storm tossed life!
Or will we anchor our lives in what is true for all time?
Our church is defined by our covenant relationships
-we trust God’s Word to define who we are and what we do
 
What is a covenant?
A promise to perform in a certain manner
Biblical Examples
-God and Man (Genesis 2:16,17; 9:1-17; 15:18)
-Leader and People  (Joshua 24:1-28)
-Person to Person (Genesis 31:43-55)
-Descriptions of a local church
-Marriage is a covenant
A Covenant = Relationship Commitment!
 
Why does a church expect commitment?
1.  Christ is committed to the church!
-Eph 5:25  Christ loved the church, gave his life for it
-Matt 16:18  “I will build my church”
-The Church will survive every earthly government!
 
2.  Commitment is needed in our culture today!
-Commitment is at an all time low-  marriage, jobs, anything!
-Consumer Christianity, Church shopping hopping too normal
-Spiritual commitment leads to stronger families & communities
 
3.  Commitment defines who we can count on
-Every other important organization has a roster, enrollment, etc
-A local church deserves to know who can be counted on
-Church membership identifies who is in our “family”
 
4.  Commitment produces spiritual growth
-Our covenant highlights many Bible verses that ask for mutual trust and commitment, which makes us grow up, become ---
-Accountability helps us grow up, stay faithful to Christ
-We are stronger together than we can ever be by ourselves
Our Four Covenant Agreements as church members
1.  I WILL PROTECT THE UNITY OF MY CHURCH
     ...BY ACTING IN LOVE TOWARD OTHER MEMBERS
     ...BY REFUSING TO GOSSIP
     ...BY FOLLOWING THE LEADERS
Romans 14:19  So then, let us pursue what promotes peace and what builds up one another.
 
Romans 15:5  Now may the God who gives endurance and encouragement grant you to live in harmony with one another, according to Christ Jesus,
 
1 Peter 1:22  Since you have purified yourselves by your obedience to the truth, so that you show sincere brotherly love for each other, from a pure heart love one another constantly,
 
Ephesians 4:29  No foul language should come from your mouth, but only what is good for building up someone in need, so that it gives grace to those who hear.
 
Hebrews 13:17  Obey your leaders and submit to them, since they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account, so that they can do this with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.
 
2.  I WILL SHARE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF MY CHURCH
     …BY PRAYING FOR ITS GROWTH
     …BY INVITING THE UNCHURCHED TO ATTEND
     …BY WARMLY WELCOMING THOSE WHO VISIT
 
1 Thessalonians 1:2  We always thank God for all of you, making mention of you constantly in our prayers.
 
Luke 14:23  “Then the master told the servant, ‘Go out into the highways and hedges and make them come in, so that my house may be filled.
 
Romans 15:7  Therefore welcome one another, just as Christ also welcomed you, to the glory of God.

3.  I WILL SERVE THE MINISTRY OF MY CHURCH
     …BY DISCOVERING MY GIFTS AND TALENTS
     …BY BEING EQUIPPED BY MY PASTORS
     …BY DEVELOPING A SERVANT’S HEART
 
1 Peter 4:10  Just as each one has received a gift, use it to serve others, as good stewards of the varied grace of God.
 
Ephesians 4:11-12  And he himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, to build up the body of Christ
 
Philippians 2:3-5  Do nothing out of selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves.  Everyone should look not to his own interests, but rather to the interests of others.  Adopt the same attitude as that of Jesus Christ.
 
 4.  I WILL SUPPORT THE TESTIMONY OF MY CHURCH
     …BY ATTENDING FAITHFULLY
     …BY LIVING A GODLY LIFE
     …BY GIVING REGULARLY
 
Hebrews 10:24-25  And let us consider one another in order to provoke love and good works, not neglecting to gather together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging each other, and all the more as you see the day approaching.
 
Philippians 1:27  Just one thing: As citizens of heaven, live your life worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or am absent, I will hear about you that you are standing firm in one spirit, in one accord, contending together for the faith of the gospel
 
1 Corinthians 16:2  On the first day of the week, each of you is to set something aside and save in keeping with how he is prospering, so that no collections will need to be made when I come.
 
Leviticus 27:30  “Every tenth of the land’s produce, grain from the soil or fruit from the trees, belongs to the Lord; it is holy to the Lord.
 
 
 
What must we do now with this church covenant?
1.  Thank God for every brother and sister who is committed to a spiritual relationship with you!
 
2. Evaluate your own commitment level
-Community- never/rarely attends
-Crowd- regular attender
-Congregation- member, committed to the covenant
-Core- giving yourself in practical and consistent ways
   -Connection Group participation
   -Serving somewhere in our church regularly
   -Giving personally
 
3.  Enroll in our Discovering Membership Class
-A four session (3.5 hours at once usually) Bible study
  -We will schedule one soon, in person and online options
 
4.  Let us know how to help you!
-Connection Card
-Contact page on our website