ELDER WORK Regaining the Straying
OUR ATTITUDE TOWARD THE STRAYING What terms have been used to describe congregation members who neglect word and sacrament? What kind of attitude do those terms reflect toward those who are neglecting the means of grace?
OUR LORD’S ATTITUDE TOWARD THE STRAYING Rid yourselves of all the offenses “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill you have committed, and get a the prophets and stone those sent to new heart and a new spirit. you, how often I have longed to Why will you die, people of gather your children together, as a Israel? For I take no pleasure in hen gathers her chicks under her the death of anyone, declares wings, and you were not willing. the Sovereign L ORD . Repent and (Luke 13:34) live! (Ezekiel 18:31-32)
OUR LORD’S ATTITUDE TOWARD THE STRAYING What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them goes astray, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go out to search for the one that is lost? And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he rejoices more over that one sheep than over the ninety-nine that did not go astray (Matthew 18:12,13)
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE OUR LORD’S ATTITUDE TOWARD THE STRAYING?
LIST CHRIST-LIKE LABELS FOR THE STRAYING?
POWER SOURCE FOR CHANGING HEARTS Law Gospel Let the prophet who has a dream For I am not ashamed of the gospel, recount the dream, but let the one who because it is the power of God that has my word speak it faithfully. For brings salvation to everyone who what has straw to do with grain?” believes: first to the Jew, then to the declares the L ORD . “Is not my word Gentile. For in the gospel the like fire,” declares the L ORD , “and like righteousness of God is revealed — a a hammer that breaks a rock in righteousness that is by faith from first to pieces? (Jeremiah 23:28,29) last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.” (Romans 1:16,17)
THE LAW And let us consider how we may spur one Remember the Sabbath day by another on toward love and good keeping it holy. (Exodus 20:8) deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another — and all the But grow in the grace and more as you see the Day approaching. knowledge of our Lord and If we deliberately keep on sinning after Savior Jesus Christ. To him be we have received the knowledge of the glory both now and forever! truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, but only Amen. (2 Peter 3:18). a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God. (Hebrews 10:24-27)
THE GOSPEL "Come now, let us settle the matter," says the LORD. "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool. (Isaiah 1:18)
THE GOSPEL “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate . (Luke 15:20-24)
IDENTIFYING REASONS FOR ABSENTEEISM Upset or offended by someone or something in the church. Health issues Doctrinal disagreement. Entertainment: sports, arts, movies, video games Work Worldliness Guilt/Shame
APPROACH AND PERCEPTIONS Share approaches you have used to regain the straying. What corresponding perception did that approach evoke?
APPROACH AND PERCEPTIONS What is the desired perception we want the straying to have of our visit? How might we adjust our approach to better avoid our gospel encouragement coming across as law?
THE PLAN Why do we plan for the work of Elders and how do we carry out the plan
WHERE ARE WE NOW? Why do we need a plan to reach those who are not attending regularly? What prevents us from having such a plan? What makes it difficult to carry it out? What is your plan currently for reaching out to those not attending? How effective is this plan?
WHAT IS NECESSARY FOR ANY PLAN: We need to have data: What data do we need? How do we record the data? Where do we store this data? Who has access to this data? We need to have people to do the work: How many do we need? Who should be chosen and how? How do we go about training them?
ONE PLAN TO CONSIDER: THE PETER PLAN You can Find it at https://welscongregationalservices.net/download/d001/ “A system that lovingly addresses absenteeism through a series of contacts. Initial contacts are done simply to encourage the absent person to return to worship. After repeated discussions, the contact includes loving admonition to follow God’s directive to make faithful use of the means of grace.” A number of scripts, letters, report forms etc. are included in the information on the website
KEY POSITIONS: PASTOR Oversees plan Provides training for Discipleship Committee members and Elders Makes some of the visits at set stages
KEY POSITIONS: PETER PLAN COORDINATOR Service position (Can be carried out by any spiritually mature person) Confidentiality and organization a must Could be paid position/secretarial duty Sees that data is entered into computer program for tracking attendance Prints out lists of those absent and conveys to appropriate person (pastor, head elder or elder)
KEY POSITIONS: HEAD ELDER Position of authority. Must be a man of high spiritual maturity. Works closely with pastor to assign individuals on 4 week absentee list to a member of the Discipleship Committee and to an elder Seeks to match Discipleship Committee member and elder to the individual on basis of some connection to the individual
KEY POSITIONS: ELDER Position of authority. Must be a man of high spiritual maturity. A “caseworker” for those persistently absent Receives from head elder names of individuals absent for 4 weeks Manages the report form for those individuals
KEY POSITIONS: DISCIPLESHIP COMMITTEE MEMBER Service position Receives list from Head Elder of those absent 4 weeks. Makes contact with the member to see if there is a reason for them being absent Reports contact and information gathered to assigned elder
THE PLAN: 9 STEPS OVER 1 YEAR - STEP ONE: 4 WEEKS ABSENT Member of Discipleship Committee assigned to individual makes contact with member Receives information about absence from member Encourages return Reports contact and information gathered to assigned elder or pastor if necessary (illness, doctrinal issue etc.)
STEP TWO: 8 WEEKS ABSENT The pastor contacts the absent individual by phone. The tone is still one of encouragement. He may schedule a meeting with the absent individual. Reports contact and information gathered to assigned elder
STEP THREE: 12 WEEKS ABSENT An elder sends the absent member a letter that outlines concern. The elder then follows up on that letter shortly after. He may schedule a meeting with the absent individual. The primary goal of this contact is still encouragement, not admonition. After this contact, the absent member will have had three different individuals try to encourage him to return.
STEP FIVE: 24 WEEKS ABSENT The pastor sends a letter to the absent member, explaining the seriousness of the situation. The letter also indicates the pastor desires to meet with the absent member face-to-face sometime that week. At this time — close to six months absent from worship — encouragement must be followed by loving admonition and, if necessary, rebuke. Reports contact and information gathered to assigned elder
STEP SIX: 30 WEEKS ABSENT The same elder who wrote and visited the absent member at twelve weeks attempts a “pop in” (unannounced) visit on the absent member. Goal is to provide further warning and admonition to the absent member. This is done, however, with a spirit of gentleness and love. The member should feel that he is genuinely missed and cared for. The elder is visiting out of a spirit of concern, not anger or judgment.
STEP SEVEN: 36 WEEKS ABSENT The same elder who has been working with the absent individual sends a joint letter with the pastor. This is now the third letter that has been sent. It expresses concern that repeated admonition from both the elder and the pastor has not been heeded. It makes clear that if the member does not return to worship attendance, the congregation will eventually have to enact church discipline.
STEP EIGHT: 44 WEEKS ABSENT The elder and pastor schedule a visit with the absent member. If the absent member refuses that visit, either the pastor or elder can attempt to have this final conversation by phone. If that is refused, the process goes to Step 9.
STEP NINE: 1 YEAR ABSENT A letter is sent by the pastor, informing the individual he is no longer a member. At next voters meeting the individual is either released or excommunicated as appropriate
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