PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICES RULING ELDER 101 SHENANGO LEADERFEST 2018
BOOK OF ORDER G-2.0301 RULING ELDER DEFINED As there were in Old Testament times elders for the government of the people, so the New Testament church provided persons with particular gifts to share in discernment of God’s Spirit and governance of God’s people. Accordingly, congregations should elect persons of wisdom and maturity of faith, having demonstrated skills in leadership and being compassionate in spirit.
PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICES ✓ Participate PEERS ✓ Discuss PARTNERSHIP ✓ Summon PERSPECTIVE ✓ Organize PROVISION ✓ Educate PERSEVERANCE ✓ Worship
“ CHRIST ALONE RULES, CALLS, TEACHES, AND USES THE CHURCH AS HE WILLS — Book of Order G-2.0101 ”
PRINCIPLE #1 PEER LEADERSHIP • Jesus alone is Lord of his church • Worship VERTICALLY — Lead HORIZONTALLY • No leader is above or below another • Call DOWN those over functioning • Call UP those under functioning • Presbyterian = Discipleship + Democracy
PRINCIPLE #2 PARTNERSHIP • Misconceptions ๏ Clergy-centered ๏ Board of Directors and Executive ๏ Employer — Employee relationship • Same VOWS — Particular FUNCTIONS • RULING elders — TEACHING elder • “Session” — council where sum is more than parts • Mutual accountability
Pastor Session Session Pastor Session Pastor
Session Active Elders Pastor
“ PRESBYTERS ARE NOT SIMPLY TO REFLECT THE WILL OF THE PEOPLE, BUT RATHER TO SEEK TOGETHER TO FIND AND REPRESENT THE WILL OF CHRIST. — Book of Order F-3.0204 ”
PRINCIPLE #3 PERSPECTIVE • “Ruling” = DISCERN + MEASURE • You are not a REPRESENTATIVE • Listen to all … but then DISCERN • Leadership can be lonely • Discern and Measure VISION • PRAYER and SCRIPTURE
“ THE BASIC FORM OF MINISTRY IS THE MINISTRY OF THE WHOLE PEOPLE OF GOD — Book of Order G-2.0101 ”
PRINCIPLE #4 PROVISION • Elders PROVIDE for ministry • STRENGTHEN and NURTURE • Ordination is a DEMOTION • How are we providing for the growth of our people in scripture and service? • Provide for a ministry that includes YOU
PRINCIPLE #5 PERSEVERANCE • Joyful moments • Harder moments • Ordination vows because it is hard • Lean on wisdom where you find it • No power — lots of INFLUENCE
PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICES RULING ELDER 101 SHENANGO LEADERFEST 2018
PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICES ✓ Participate PEERS ✓ Discuss PARTNERSHIP ✓ Summon PERSPECTIVE ✓ Organize PROVISION ✓ Educate PERSEVERANCE ✓ Worship
PRACTICE #1 PARTICIPATE • in Worship • in Ministry • in Session gatherings • prepare for meetings • speak up or shut up • listen to learn • share in worship and work • Disciples makes Disciples
PRACTICE #2 DISCUSS • CONVERSATION is key to Discernment • with your Pastor • with other Elders outside of meetings • with members in parking lot • with your grandkids • with the unchurched
“ AS JESUS WAS WALKING ALONG, HE SAW A MAN CALLED MATTHEW SITTING AT THE TAX BOOTH; AND HE SAID TO HIM, “FOLLOW ME.” — Matthew 9 ”
PRACTICE #3 SUMMON • Public announcement — Personal SUMMONS • Make straightforward invites • State clear expectations • Discern gifts and callings • Come to peace with a “NO”
PRACTICE #4 ORGANIZE • Committees/Teams are mini-congregations • Prepare for meetings/events • Nourish with prayer/scripture • double and double COMMUNICATE • Meetings are not the ministry • Expect something of them
PRACTICE #5 EDUCATE BOOK OF CONFESSIONS BOOK OF ORDER F G W D Foundations Government Worship Discipline D-1 Principles F-1 Mission G-1 Members W-1 Dynamics F-2 Confessions G-2 Officers W-2 Elements F-3 Principles G-3 Councils W-3 Ordering W-6 Ministry
PRACTICE #5 WORSHIP The life of the Christian flows from the worship of the church. The believer’s life of response and discipleship flows into the church’s life of worship and service.
PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICES RULING ELDER 101 SHENANGO LEADERFEST 2018
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