THE ELDER AS SERVANT

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THE ELDER AS SERVANT
Michigan District LCMS Webinar for the Board of
Elders February 20, 2013
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Your attitude should be the same as that of
Christ Jesus Whomade Himself nothing, taking
the very nature of a servant. -
Philippians 25, 7
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OPENING PRAYER
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IM AN ELDER
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1. A joy for me this past week was
2. When I was elected to be an elder, I was
3. A word that describes how I feel about being an
   elder is

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• LIFE AS AN ELDER
• ELDERS SERVING GOD

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ELDERS SERVING GOD

• Five typical functions of elders
• Provide leadership
• Show wisdom in stressful situations
• Provide evaluation and encouragement for the
  pastor(s)
• Visitation of members
• Initiate programs of spiritual growth

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ELDERS SERVING GOD

• Elder considerations
• Provide leadership
• Filled with the Holy Spirit
• Strong spiritual influence
• Always in the Word
• Asked, not volunteer
• Basic enthusiasm
• Concern for quality of ministry
• Clear ministry descriptions
• Grasp of imputed worthiness

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ELDERS SERVING GOD

• For discussion
• What is your greatest joy in serving as an
  elder?
• What is your greatest frustration in serving as
  an elder?
• What spiritual gifts have been distributed
  among the elders in your congregation?
• What makes you worthy to serve as an elder?
• What is the role of an elder to members of the
  church?

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ELDERS SERVING GOD

• For discussion
• What is the relationship of elders to other
  officers?
• What are congregational issues that properly
  belong only to elders?
• What is the role of elders in church conflicts?
• How can elders handle criticisms / objections
  to church programs?

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2. ELDER / PASTOR / STAFF RELATIONSHIPS ELDERS
SERVING PASTOR
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ELDERS SERVING PASTOR

• Help the man
• Be a confidant
• Be a support for personal / family needs
• Develop a caring relationship
• Develop a trusting relationship
• Develop personnel policies (vacation, days off,
  etc.)
• Develop salary guidelines
• Pray daily for pastor and family

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ELDERS SERVING PASTOR

• Help the leader
• Support the ministry
• Communicate ministry to congregation
• Communicate successes and obstacles
• Welcome and encourage diversity but commit to
  unity in purpose
• Test with Scripture
• Inform and invite participation
• Be faithful with information
• Publicly support pastor

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ELDERS SERVING PASTOR

• Help the preacher
• Test with Scripture
• Test for proper Law/Gospel balance
• Know and be faithful to Scripture
• Know and be faithful to Lutheran doctrine
  (Confessions)

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ELDERS SERVING PASTOR

• Help the congregation
• Meet regularly to carry out responsibilities
• Share evaluations of goals and expectations
• Train regularly for better service
• Be an ambassador
• Serve alongside pastor as appropriate

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ELDERS SERVING PASTOR

• For discussion
• How do elders provide care for members of the
  staff?
• How can pastors especially use elders as a
  support and confidential group?
• How do elders function as evaluators of staff
  effectiveness?
• How can elders function with ineffective staff?
• What are the spiritual needs unique to
  professional church workers?

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3. ELDER SPIRITUAL CARE ELDERS SERVING
CONGREGATION
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ELDERS SERVING CONGREGATION

• The elder as a man of prayer
• Matthew 65-14
• Not outward piety (v. 5)
• Not validated by specific words (v. 7)
• No lack of information (v. 8)
• Mark of a mature disciple (v. 9)
• Corporate needs in mind (v. 9)
• God-centered (v. 9)
• Submits to Gods will (v. 10)
• Spiritual focus (v. 11)
• Forgiving attitude (v. 12)
• Combat the satanic (v.13)

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ELDERS SERVING CONGREGATION

• Factors impacting prayer
• Boldness (Hebrews 414-16)
• Familial language (Galatians 46)
• Authentic (Psalm 278)
• Blocked by unrepented sin (Psalm 6618)
• Faith-driven (Matthew 2122)
• Rooted in Christ and the Word (John 157)
• Ask in Jesus name (John 1624)
• Submissive to Gods will (1 John 514-15)
• Brings glory to God (John 1413)
• Confident in Gods power (James 516)

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ELDERS SERVING CONGREGATION

• Elders serve
• As an example
• Faithful in worship
• Frequently at the Lords Table
• Diligent in Bible study
• personal
• group
• Servant-leader

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ELDERS SERVING CONGREGATION

• Elders serve
• Within the priesthood of all believers
• With humility
• As requested
• In prayer
• In person
• In worship
• Dont lord it over them
• Provide personal care
• Be aware of needs and situations
• Share resources
• Both active and inactive

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ELDERS SERVING CONGREGATION

• For discussion
• How are elders assigned to members?
  (geographically alphabetically lifestyle
  other)
• Do elders make home visits?
• If so, why and how often?
• What other means are used for communication
  with members by elders?
• What are the purposes of various member
  contacts?
• Do elders make pastoral care visits?
• (hospitals, nursing homes, funerals, etc.)

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ELDERS SERVING CONGREGATION

• For discussion
• Are elders used to push certain
  congregational needs or programs?
• How are elders used when new people join the
  church?
• When is one classified inactive?
• What is your program of ministering to
  inactives?
• What if the inactive wishes to remain inactive?
• What is done with members who move without a
  forwarding address?
• How are snowbirds handled?

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CONTINUING THE DISCUSSION
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RESOURCES FOR ELDER BOARDS The Caring Elder by
Victor Constein (CPH) Pastors and Elders by
Timothy Mech (CPH) Expanded Elder training /
equipping workshop by CMFs
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THE ELDER AS SERVANT
Gods richest blessings as you serve Him and His
people in your awesomely important role!