God’s Plan—Elders in Every Church 1 Peter 5:1-5

1 The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed: 2 Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; 3 nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; 4 and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away. 5 Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” 1 Peter 5:1-5

The Wisdom of God

Manifested in many ways

The Wisdom of God Manifested in many ways None greater than in leadership in the church

The Wisdom of God Manifested in many ways None greater than in leadership in the church Words used to describe leaders

The Wisdom of God Manifested in many ways None greater than in leadership in the church Words used to describe leaders Men with authority limited by God

The Wisdom of God Manifested in many ways None greater than in leadership in the church Words used to describe leaders Men with authority limited by God Men with spiritual maturity

The Wisdom of God Manifested in many ways None greater than in leadership in the church Words used to describe leaders Men with authority limited by God Men with spiritual maturity Men with hearts of shepherds

God’s Description of the Character 1 This is a faithful saying: If a man desires the position of a bishop, he desires a good work. 2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach; 3 not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not covetous; 4 one who rules his own house well, having his children in submission with all reverence 5 (for if a man does not know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the church of God?); 6 not a novice, lest being puffed up with pride he fall into the same condemnation as the devil. 7 Moreover he must have a good testimony among those who are outside, lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil Likewise their wives must be reverent, not slanderers, temperate, faithful in all things.1 Timothy 3:1-7, 11

God’s Description of the Character 5 For this reason I left you in Crete, that you should set in order the things that are lacking, and appoint elders in every city as I commanded you-- 6 if a man is blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of dissipation or insubordination. 7 For a bishop must be blameless, as a steward of God, not self- willed, not quick-tempered, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, 8 but hospitable, a lover of what is good, sober-minded, just, holy, self-controlled, 9 holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict. 10 For there are many insubordinate, both idle talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, 11 whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole households, teaching things which they ought not, for the sake of dishonest gain.Titus 1:5-11

Negative Qualifications 1.Not given to wine1 Tim. 3:3 2.Not violent1 Tim. 3:3; Titus 1:7 3.Not greedy for money1 Tim. 3:3; Titus 1:7 4.Not quarrelsome1 Tim. 3:3 5.Not covetous1 Tim. 3:3 6.Not self-willed1 Tim. 3:7 7.Not quick-tempered1 Tim. 3:7

Positive Qualifications 1.Blameless, above reproach 1 Tim. 3:2; Tit. 1:6 2.Temperate 1 Tim. 3:2 3.Sober-minded 1 Tim. 3:2; Titus 1:8 4.Of good behavior 1 Tim. 3:2 5.Given to hospitality 1 Tim. 3:2; Tit. 1:8 6.Able to teach & holding fast 1 Tim. 3:2; Tit. 1:9 7.Gentle, patient 1 Tim. 3:3 8.Good reputation outside the church1 Tim. 3:7 9.Steward of God, lover of good thingsTit. 1:7, 8 10.Just, holy, self-controlledTit. 1:8

Special Qualifications 1. Must desire the office/work1Tim. 3:1 2. The husband of one wife1 Tim. 3:2; Tit. 1:6 3. The wife must be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things1 Tim. 3:11 4. Children believing & submissive 1 Tim. 3:4; Tit. 1:6 5. Rules well his own house1 Tim. 3:4 6. Not a novice, new convert1 Tim. 3:6

Duties of Elders Elders have the responsibility to lead the local congregation in the work of the church which is to evangelize the world (Matt. 28:18-20, Mark 16:15-16). Everything becomes a part of this priority item. Evangelize by taking the gospel to all the world Mark 16:15 Evangelize by edifying the saints Eph. 4:12-13 Evangelize by being benevolent to all James1:27; Gal. 6:10

Duties of Elders Elders have the responsibility to lead the local congregation in the work of the church which is to evangelize the world (Matt. 28:18-20, Mark 16:15-16). Everything becomes a part of this priority item. Evangelize by taking the gospel to all the world Mark 16:15 Evangelize by edifying the saints Eph. 4:12-13 Evangelize by being benevolent to all James1:27; Gal. 6:10 Duties of elders toward the eldership 1. Take heed to personal livesActs 20:28 2. Guard eldership doctrinallyActs 20:30 3. Be subject to the eldershipHeb. 13:17

Duties of Elders Duties of elders toward the church 1. Take heed to the flock Acts 20:28 2. Watch for the souls of the flock Heb. 13:17 3. Guard the flock against: - “wolves," false teachers Acts 20:29, 31 - those who contradict/oppose truthTitus 1:9 - idle/vain talkers and deceiversTitus 1:10 - and rebuke them sharply Titus 1:11, 13

Duties of Elders Duties of elders toward the church 1. Take heed to the flock Acts 20:28 2. Watch for the souls of the flock Heb. 13:17 3. Guard the flock against: - “wolves," false teachers Acts 20:29, 31 - those who contradict/oppose truthTitus 1:9 - idle/vain talkers and deceiversTitus 1:10 - and rebuke them sharply Titus 1:11, Feed, pastor and perfect it1 Pet. 5:2; Eph.4:12 5. Lead by example, not lordship1 Pet. 5:3 6. Responsibility toward financeActs 11:30 7. Pray for the flockJames 5:14-15

Things to Think About as You Help Select Elders The appointment of elders impacts the church for decades. As you contemplate the names you list below please remember the following:  1. An elder must possess the qualities given by God, positive, negative and special ones. 2. Elders are shepherds, not CEO’s. They must have a shepherd’s heart. No man can be an elder who does not already have a flock 3. His first flock is his family. God warns that no man can care for the church who has not cared for his family. 4. This is not a time to “promote” anyone. The decision is not to be based on friendship or family ties. All that matters today is the destiny of the church for decades. 5. Pray before you list the names.

Suggestions for New Shepherds I suggest the following be considered as future elders for this church. List as many or as few as you can prayerfully recommend. Even though there are places for three names, list only those who you feel are qualified, which may and may not require all three lines. List them in the order you feel they are most prepared to serve the Lord at this time. Feel free to make additional comments Signature (optional): _________________________________ I have been a member at PBL for: less than 2 years -- more than 2 years.

What to Do With List of Names Pray for wisdom Turn in your list (today if possible} not later than next week Box in foyer to place list

Becoming Part of His Flock Believe in HimMark 16:16 Repent—decide to obeyActs 17:30 Confess ChristRom. 10:9 Baptized to be savedActs 22:16 Added to His Kingdom, His church Be faithful until deathRev. 2:10