2 Ministers and Elders

All ministers are preachers not all ministers are effective.

HABIT #1 Effective Preachers Purify Themselves

For this reason I remind you to kindle afresh the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. – 2 Timothy 1:6

Preacher “Ruts” Fatigue Boredom Laziness Sinfulness Major in Minors

Purification Requires: Continued Bible reading

Purification Requires: Continued Bible reading Personal prayer time

Purification Requires: Continued Bible reading Personal prayer time Varied study materials

Purification Requires: Continued Bible reading Personal prayer time Varied study materials Accountability relationships

Purification Requires: Continued Bible reading Personal prayer time Varied study materials Accountability relationships Brotherhood involvement

Purification Requires: Continued Bible reading Personal prayer time Varied study materials Accountability relationships Brotherhood involvement Prioritize properly

HABIT #2 Effective Preachers Preach

8 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord or of me His prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God, 9 who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity, - II Timothy 1:8-9

10 but now has been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, 11 for which I was appointed a preacher and an apostle and a teacher. 12 For this reason I also suffer these things, but I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day. - 2 Timothy 1:10-12

Effective Preachers, just want to preach!

HABIT #3 Effective Preachers Persevere

1. Doctrine Persevere in: 13 Retain the standard of sound words which you have heard from me, in the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. 14 Guard, through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us, the treasure which has been entrusted to you. - II Timothy 1:13-14

1 You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. - II Timothy 2:1-2

2. Ministry Persevere in: Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. - II Timothy 2:3

4 No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier. 5 Also if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not win the prize unless he competes according to the rules. 6 The hard-working farmer ought to be the first to receive his share of the crops. 7 Consider what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything. - II Timothy 2:4-7

8 Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, descendant of David, according to my gospel, 9 for which I suffer hardship even to imprisonment as a criminal; but the word of God is not imprisoned. 10 For this reason I endure all things for the sake of those who are chosen, so that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus and with it eternal glory. - II Timothy 2:8-10

11 It is a trustworthy statement: For if we died with Him, we will also live with Him; 12 If we endure, we will also reign with Him; If we deny Him, He also will deny us; 13 If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself. - II Timothy 2:11-13

Persevere in: Doctrine Ministry Love of the Church

You can’t effectively minister to the church if you don’t love the church.

Summary: Effective Preachers Continually Purify Themselves Continually Preach the Gospel Continually Persevere in: Teaching Serving Loving

HABIT #1 Effective Elders are on guard

Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. - Acts 20:28

29 I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; 30 and from among your own selves men will arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them. - Acts 20:29-30

They Guard: Themselves

They Guard: Themselves The Flock

They Guard: Themselves The Flock The Word

HABIT #2 Effective Elders are on duty

Effective elders are “elders” at all times.

HABIT #3 Effective Elders are on fire

Now there were at Antioch, in the church that was there, prophets and teachers: Barnabas, and Simeon who was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. - Acts 13:1

2 While they were ministering to the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” 3 Then, when they had fasted and prayed and laid their hands on them, they sent them away. - Acts 13:2-3

Therefore, being sent on their way by the church, they were passing through both Phoenicia and Samaria, describing in detail the conversion of the Gentiles, and were bringing great joy to all the brethren. - Acts 15:3

When they arrived at Jerusalem, they were received by the church and the apostles and the elders, and they reported all that God had done with them. - Acts 15:4

Effective elders lead by example Highly effective elders lead by inspiration

HABIT #4 Effective Elders are on the same page

with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, - Ephesians 4:2

Effective elders work at their relationships with other elders because: Danger of division

Effective elders work at their relationships with other elders because: Danger of division Eldering is a group task

The church reflects the eldership Effective elders work at their relationships with other elders because: Danger of division Eldering is a group task The church reflects the eldership

Summary: Effective Eldering Requires: Guarding

Summary: Effective Eldering Requires: Guarding Inspiring

Summary: Effective Eldering Requires: Guarding Inspiring Unifying

A church cannot grow beyond its leadership.