Eldership: In the Disciples Tradition Welcome
Purposes To enhance elders as a community of ministry To form elders in the spiritual aspects of their identity To be introduced to the ministry functions of elders
Overview Eldership: God’s call, your vocation God’s resources for your ministry Experience Scripture Tradition Your ministry
Eldership Formation
(learners with the Master) Vocation Filling Up Disciples (learners with the Master) Receiving Students Being Contemplative Pouring Out Apostles (sent out) Giving Teachers Doing Active
Most frequently asked by Elders 2 FAQ’s Most frequently asked by Elders WHY? (Formation) WHAT? (Function)
God’s Resources for Your Ministry Experience (Seen through the eyes of faith) Scripture Tradition
A moment of grace My life was touched by an elder I was privileged to touch another life
ELDERSHIP: IN SCRIPTURE
Eldership in Scripture II-III John Acts 15:1-29 Acts 20:17-18, 25-29 I Peter Teacher Overseer Shepherd
2 John 3 John [1] The elder to the elect lady and her children, whom I love in the truth, and not only I but also all who know the truth, [2] because of the truth which abides in us and will be with us for ever: [3]Grace, mercy, and peace will be with us, from God the Father and from Jesus Christ the Father's Son, in truth and love. [1] The elder to the beloved Ga'ius, whom I love in the truth. [2] Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in health; I know that it is well with your soul. [3] For I greatly rejoiced when some of the brethren arrived and testified to the truth of your life, as indeed you do follow the truth. [4] No greater joy can I have than this, to hear that my children follow the truth.
Eldership Voices (track 4)
I Peter 5 [1] So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ as well as a partaker in the glory that is to be revealed. [2] Tend the flock of God that is your charge, not by constraint but willingly, not for shameful gain but eagerly, [3] not as domineering over those in your charge but being examples to the flock. [4] And when the chief Shepherd is manifested you will obtain the unfading crown of glory.
ELDERSHIP: IN THE DISCIPLES TRADITION
Disciples Theology of Ministry Christ’s Ministry (not ours) Bequeathed to the Church Specific Functions
Gifts and Graces Qualifications “Re-presentation” Communal Inner Call Validation/authorization Support
Evangelists Elders Teachers Shepherds Overseers Presiders Deacons
Ronald Osborn summarizes our tradition of the eldership: The office of ministry in a Christian congregation rested primarily in the eldership, a select body of upright men ordained to preside over the life of the church, to exercise pastoral oversight, to teach the word of God, to maintain discipline, to minister at the table, to set an example to the flock. In a given congregation, most, if not all, of these men earned their living at secular vocations. But they were appointed to minister in the church of God. The genius of our tradition is that ELDERS dispense grace, not just clergy.
Eldership Functions
Rating Your Congregation’s Eldership UNIT II ITEM EIGHTEEN Rating Your Congregation’s Eldership What quantity of the traditional elder functions is your eldership performing? Take a moment to reflect quietly and mark each functional area with an assessment number. Use a one (1) to indicate the lowest assessment and a six (6) for the highest assessment. After giving your number to the tabulator of the group, fell free to share your reasons for your assessment with your group. TEACHING SHEPHERDING OVERSEEING
ELDERSHIP: AS ELDERS TEACH
ELDERSHIP: AS ELDERS SHEPHERD
ELDERSHIP: AS ELDERS CELEBRATE THE LORD’S SUPPER
Table Prayer Structure THANKSGIVING (Eucharist) Creator/Father REMEMBRANCE (Anamnesis) INVOCATION (Epiklesis) COMMITMENT (Koinonia) Creator/Father Redeemer/Son Transformer/Holy Spirit Ministry/Church
ELDERSHIP: AS ELDERS OVERSEE
Course Purposes 1. To improve congregation’s knowledge and understanding of the ministry of eldership, and characteristics desired of those in that ministry. 2. To foster elders and their congregations in becoming support communities of ministry. 3. To claim identity from biblical and historical rootage for the eldership. 4. To help perceive and practice eldership as a ministry with flexibility.
Course Purposes (con’t) 5. To enable knowledgeable and effective ministry as teachers, shepherds, celebrants of the Lord’s Supper, and overseers. 6. To encourage communication and support in ministry among clergy, diaconate, and eldership. 7. To offer ways to enrich the life of prayer of individuals and groups. 8. To offer guidance for the ongoing life of the eldership.
Eldership Voices (track 20)