Past few years of Study

1
PP ELDERSHIP PROGRAMME

• Past few years of Study
• - Lynn Anderson, Fair, Dacus
• 2. Discussion at Church Sessions
• 3. December letter to Members
• 4. Mandate at Planning Day 04
• 5. Seminar with Chinese Cong.

2
Why the PP Church Needs Elders/Deacons?
1. Because Bible Says So - Titus 15
3
Why the PP Church Needs Elders/Deacons?
1. Because Bible Says So - Titus 15 For this
cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest
set in order the things that are wanting, and
ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed
thee
4
Why the PP Church Needs Elders/Deacons?
1. Because Bible Says So - Titus 15 2. Delayed
Obedience Disobedience - Unwilling to Grow
Self Willed - Unwilling to Serve eg Missions
5
Why the PP Church Needs Elders/Deacons?
1. Because Bible Says So - Titus 15 2. Delayed
Obedience Disobedience - Unwilling to Grow
Self Willed - Unwilling to Serve eg
Missions 3. Because of the Need - No one doing
the job leaving to chance
6

• Kelvin Koo
• So we have elders for the sake of having
  elders.I have a feeling that is the common
  impression among many in PP.
• They dun see the need for elders and dun see what
  would the elders be doing that awareness isnt
  alredi doing.
• Perhaps we need to tell the congregation what
  roles exactly the elders will be doing and the
  possible benefits (instead of always entrenching
  ourselves into discussions of qualifications of
  elders and miss the big picture)
• Henry has always shared his vision with the
  awareness of how elders can benefit the
  congregation. I am not too sure if that same
  vision has been shared with the whole
  congregation? If not, perhaps we should?
• Paul talked about this with Winston and myself
  during the camp site recce. (about members not
  understanding how elders can benefit and
  contribute to spiritual well-being of the church)
• My Personal thought (and simplistic way of
  looking at things) is that since God has intended
  for churches to have elders, he must have had his
  wisdom in doing so. Does not matter if human
  wisdom says We are doing fine, why rock the
  boat. If God said so, he must know better.

7

• Terry Wan
• when our church started talking about eldership
  many years ago, my first impression is that we
  wanted elders because the Bible say so. And if
  other churches can have elders why not PP ? Then
  further thoughts sink in that if we don't have
  elders then there must be something wrong with
  PPCOC. So we have elders for the sake of having
  elders.
• It is only in the recent years that I started
  looking around and notice that there are
  individuals with great suffering (spiritually)
  and in deep sin. These souls need plenty of help
  and counselling. For me, I see this is the most
  important reason why our church should have
  elders to fill this most needed role at this
  time.
• Yes, I think many of us in the church are not
  aware of the urgent need for elders.
• I guess we were too engrossed on elder's
  qualification at one time (including myself).
  If everyone understands seriousness of the
  matter, I am sure many will come out to actively
  support it. For example, it may help someone to
  turn away from sin before it get worst and losing
  his soul.

8

• Pence Janis
• About the letter you sent to members on the
  elders and deacons situation in PP, I have
  discussed this with Ian Fair (by email) and
  others and feel good about it.
• Service and Submission are the keys. Whatever the
  management process, the people must be prepared
  to accept the leadership. This would be
  leadership, not lordship!
• Members must accept the teaching and direction of
  its leaders, and honor their leadership. The
  church has obviously been able to secure the
  support and following of the church thus far. I
  see no reason for this to change. The elders must
  have the backing of the church in order to be
  able to do their work, particularly the
  protection work cited in Acts 2028-31.

9
Foundational Basis For Eldership at PP
Taught by brotherhood teachers for many
years Discussed and agreed by Awareness
Leaders Shared and agreed by Chinese
Leaders Shared and agreed by Pence Dacus Not
engraved in stone room for more study
10
Do not dwell on physical Eldership is Spiritual

• Much Misunderstanding because of Physical Focus
• Qualifications or Character?
• Authority or Servanthood?
• Office or Function?
• Word or Table?

11

• What the Bible Teaches on Elders

Elders are Servant-Shepherds Main Duty is to
Watch over the Flock - Not to be bogged down with
Decision-making Eldership is not about Authority
but Servanthood
12
2. The Main Duties of Elders
A. Guard the Flock Acts 2028
13
2. The Main Duties of Elders
A. Guard the Flock Acts 2028
Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all
the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath
made you overseers, to feed the church of God,
which he hath purchased with his own blood.
14
2. The Main Duties of Elders
A. Guard the Flock Acts 2028 B. Teach and
Admonish I Timothy 517
15
2. The Main Duties of Elders
B. Teach and Admonish I Timothy 517 The
elders who direct the affairs of the church well
are worthy of double honour, especially those
whose work is preaching and teaching.
16
2. The Main Duties of Elders
A. Guard the Flock Acts 2028 B. Teach and
Admonish I Timothy 517 - A Plan to Nurture the
Flock C. Shepherd the Flock Hebrews 137
17
2. The Main Duties of Elders
C. Shepherd the Flock Hebrews 137 Remember
them which have the rule over you, who have
spoken unto you the word of God whose faith
follow, considering the end of their
conversation.
18
2. The Main Duties of Elders
A. Guard the Flock Acts 2028 B. Teach and
Admonish I Timothy 517 - A Plan to Nurture the
Flock C. Shepherd the Flock Hebrews 137
19
3. What the Bible Teaches on Deacons
A. Deacons are Servant-Workers Acts 62-4
20
3. What the Bible Teaches on Deacons
A. Deacons are Servant-Workers Acts 62-4
Then the twelve called the multitude of the
disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason
that we should leave the word of God, and serve
tables. Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among
you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy
Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this
business. But we will give ourselves continually
to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.
21
3. What the Bible Teaches on Deacons

• A. Deacons are Servant-Workers Acts 62-4
• B. Main Duty is to Serve Tables
• So Elders can devote to Prayers Word
• Oversee programmes like missions, treasury
• Do Follow-up Work eg benevolence

22
4. Relationship of Elders /Deacons And the Church
1Cor 124-7 Now there are diversities of gifts,
but the same Spirit. And there are differences
of administrations, but the same Lord. And there
are diversities of operations, but it is the same
God which worketh all in all. But the
manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man
to profit withal.
23
4. Relationship of Elders /Deacons And the Church
1Cor 128 For to one is given by the Spirit the
word of wisdom to another the word of knowledge
by the same Spirit To another faith by the same
Spirit to another the gifts of healing by the
same Spirit To another the working of miracles
to another prophecy to another discerning of
spirits to another divers kinds of tongues to
another the interpretation of tongues But all
these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit,
dividing to every man severally as he will.
24
4. Relationship of Elders /Deacons And the Church
1Cor 1212 For as the body is one, and hath
many members, and all the members of that one
body, being many, are one body so also is
Christ. For by one Spirit are we all baptized
into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles,
whether we be bond or free and have been all
made to drink into one Spirit. For the body is
not one member, but many. If the foot shall say,
Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body
is it therefore not of the body?.... 20 But now
are they many members, yet but one body.
25
4. Relationship of Elders /Deacons And the Church
1Cor 1227 Now ye are the body of Christ, and
members in particular. And God hath set some in
the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets,
thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts
of healings, helps, governments, diversities of
tongues. Are all apostles? are all prophets? are
all teachers? are all workers of miracles? Have
all the gifts of healing? do all speak with
tongues? do all interpret? But covet earnestly
the best gifts and yet shew I unto you a more
excellent way.
26
A Church Working in Consensus
Chart taken from Ian Fairs PP Seminar
27
5. No Change in Church Management
Church continues to work by Consensus Business
meetings and AGM decide direction - Entire
Membership empowered to Serve Elders Deacons
work with the Churchs decisions
28
6. A Suggested Elder-Installation Schedule
Take at least 6 months, longer if necessary -
Never rush into installation - Do not allow this
to divide church - Answer all questions - Get
consensus before going ahead
29
6. PPs Elder-Installation Schedule

• 1. Bring this up to the AGMs (2001-2003)
• - Set the church on this goal
• 2. Teach the Congregation (-June 2004)
• - At Bible Classes (Study 1 2 Tim Titus)
• - Intensive series on Elders Deacons
• 3. Let Church Choose Candidates (June 2004)
• - Teach and prepare the Candidates
• 4. Announce Names Receive Obj. (Jul-Sep)
• - Allow Objections Further Questions
• 5. Confirm and Appoint Elders/Deacons (Oct)

30
(No Transcript)