May 2, 2024
"God’s Word provides some rather explicit instruction concerning the basis for choosing church leaders," Sam E. Stone wrote in 1968. "Four basic principles are outlined in the opening verses of 1 Timothy 3." . . .
August 8, 2022
Long ago the prophet Ezekiel identified several danger signs of moral failure. How can we tell if our leaders are losing their bearings? Ezekiel 22 identifies five leadership pitfalls—ways the “princes of Israel” were veering off course.
September 7, 2021
Part 2 of 3: Who to Select and How They Should Function — Four scriptural texts help shape our understanding . . .
September 6, 2021
Referring to the temple in Jerusalem, Jesus said, “My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations” (Mark 11:17). His church puts out a welcome mat inviting sinners like ourselves from every ethnic group to come and join the family.
September 1, 2021
In the Aftermath of Several High-Profile Leadership Failures . . . 5 Strategies to Protect the Integrity of the Church
November 1, 2020
Dr. Mark Scott wrote this treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson. Scott teaches preaching and New Testament at Ozark Christian College, Joplin, Missouri. This lesson treatment is published in the November 2020 issue of Christian Standard + The Lookout. (Subscribe to our print edition.) ________ COMPANION RESOURCES “Blame the Leaders?” by David Faust (Lesson Application) Discovery Questions for Nov. 8, 2020 ________ Lesson Aim: Consider the importance of godly leadership in the church. ________ By Mark Scott Traditionally, this past Tuesday has been the day Americans would go to the polls to vote for national and local leaders. By
September 21, 2020
Dr. Mark Scott wrote this treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson. Scott teaches preaching and New Testament at Ozark Christian College, Joplin, Missouri. This lesson treatment is published in the October 2020 issue of Christian Standard + The Lookout. (Subscribe to our print edition.) ________ COMPANION RESOURCES “Who Is Worthy to Lead?” by David Faust (Lesson Application) Discovery Questions for Sept. 27, 2020 ________ Lesson Aim: Assemble leaders who model Christ, and be such a leader. ________ By Mark Scott Jesus prayed all night before choosing the twelve apostles (Luke 6:12-13). The Holy Spirit selects the right leaders for
September 21, 2020
COMPANION RESOURCES Lesson for Sept. 27, 2020: Lead (1 Timothy 3:1-16; 5:17-22) “Who Is Worthy to Lead?” by David Faust (Lesson Application) ________ Study Questions for Groups By Michael C. Mack 1. What new challenge did you face last week? 2. How would you evaluate your prayer life this past week? Ask three people—two readers and one reteller—to help. Ask the readers to read 1 Timothy 3:1-16 one after the other, preferably from different Bible versions. Repeat the process with 1 Timothy 5:17-22. Ask the third person to summarize the passages as if teaching a fifth-grade Sunday school class about
September 14, 2020
COMPANION RESOURCES Lesson for Sept. 20, 2020: Pray (1 Timothy 2:1-8) “Does It Really Help to ‘Send Thoughts and Prayers’?” by David Faust (Lesson Application) ________ Study Questions for Groups By Michael C. Mack 1. What challenge did you face last week? 2. Were you an example of Christ for anyone this past week? If so, whom, and in what ways were you an example? Ask three people—two readers and one reteller—to help. Ask the readers to read 1 Timothy 2:1-8 one after the other, preferably from different Bible versions. Ask the third person to summarize the passage as if
January 29, 2019
By Melissa Brandes After many months, the search committee finally zeroes in on their top choice for pastor. The formal interview goes very well. He seems a perfect fit. “Trial sermon” Sunday arrives. He preaches a solid biblical message with a great application. Later that afternoon, church leaders’ spouses take the potential pastor’s wife out for coffee while the men go boating on a lake. That evening, an elder asks his wife about the candidate’s spouse, but she hesitates. “She’s interesting,” the elder’s wife finally says, but not enthusiastically. “I guess she’s pleasant enough. Honestly I just don’t know her
August 17, 2018
E2: Effective Elders Blog Editor’s Note: Starting today, each Friday we will publish a new blog post from our partners in ministry, E2: Effective Elders. We are publishing it here simultaneous to E2’s posting on their site every Friday. As you may know, the leaders of E2 write an article for our print and online magazine every month as well. Those articles are full of wisdom and practical help for elders. Please check them out! We are grateful to the leaders of E2—Gary Johnson, David Roadcup, and Jim Estep—as well as operations director Jared Johnson for their ministry partnership. Both
December 20, 2013
By Victor Knowles I believe the music of Christmas is the most beautiful music in the world. Indeed, it may even be the most meaningful music the world will ever know. From “Away in a Manger” to Handel’s “Messiah,” the marvelous message of the true meaning of Christ’s coming to earth is made clear. It is especially appropriate at this time of Communion to ponder the reason Jesus Christ was born.x “Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing” (“O Come, All Ye Faithful”). John tells us, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and
December 7, 2013
By James Riley Estep Jr. The imagery of shepherding is, without question, Scripture”s dominant metaphor for leadership formation. The patriarchs, Moses, David, and Amos the prophet had experience as shepherds, and that experience prepared them, in part, to assume their places as leaders of God”s people. The Old Testament and New Testament both use the shepherd metaphor frequently, yet few people today are familiar with the profession. In Ezekiel 34 and elsewhere, the qualities of bad shepherds vs. good shepherds are described. The shepherd image is so pronounced in the ancient world that the rulers and kings of Israel were
July 26, 2013
Healthy, active churches need healthy, active leaders. Only a balanced life equips a person to handle the burdens of leadership. By Aaron Wymer “I don”t think so, Elzie. It”s just easier to be a Christian when I”m not an elder.” With these words, or words very much like them, Wayne told my father he wasn”t willing to become an elder at my home church. My dad”s eyes twinkled a little when he told me what Wayne said, but the rest of his face frowned. I could tell dad agreed with him, but couldn”t bring himself to refuse his call to be
November 3, 2012
By James Riley Estep Jr. With blamelessness, the center piece of our puzzle, in place, what other pieces fill out the portrait of a spiritual leader? After reviewing the lists in parallel, the other four major pieces come to light: Being “blameless” before God, others, family, and self. Blameless Before God How would you assess your relationship with God? This piece is best reflected in several qualities of an elder. Peter expresses this when he describes that an elder (shepherd) must be capable of being affirmed by the Chief Shepherd (1 Peter 5:4). An elder must have theological blamelessness
By Jim Tune In my previous article on elders and submission, I suggested that church planters may be hesitant to install elders due to a misunderstanding of biblical authority. We”ve become accustomed to thinking about abuse and power in the same sentence. We have so many poor models of leadership around us today, it is easy to cringe when words like submission, authority, and rule come up. But a new church plant can provide a unique opportunity to create a workable and biblical model unhindered by any existing and entrenched system. At Churchill Meadows we followed an intentional pathway””one embarked
October 4, 2011
By Chuck Sackett “A Parable of Two Churches“ (a sidebar) is my attempt to capture the past 37 years of observations and experiences. I”ve been privileged to be the preacher in three very different congregations. And while serving as a Bible college and seminary professor, I worked in various capacities with dozens of congregations. What follows are practical suggestions for how congregations can have healthy, effective elderships. These are simply reminders of the obvious. I”ve seen them work in a variety of settings, expressed in various ways, ending with varied results. Every church I”ve seen believes it is doing church
March 7, 2011
This week”s treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson (for March 13) is written by Cheryl Frey, a freelance proofreader and editor from Rochester, New York. ____________ Leadership Qualities (1 Timothy 3) By Cheryl Frey Because I make my living as a proofreader, I find it very hard to ever read a book for pleasure. But not wanting to miss out on all the wisdom to be found in good literature, I now check out books on tape or CD from the library. I especially love to listen to authors Brian Tracy, Zig Ziglar, Stephen Covey, and John Maxwell, who
December 21, 2008
By Eric Stevens The news reveals that we are a fickle people. I mean that in the worst way possible. Large numbers of college students are involved in cheating. So are spouses””even Christians. People rage with deadly anger because of minor traffic miscues. Children appear to have never heard such courtesies as “please,” “thank you,” and “excuse me.” These symptoms in our society are related. There is an erosion of respect, not just for one”s elders, but even one”s parents, and in some cases, one”s children. The “Me Generation” has become the “Me Nation.” How does the church stem this
March 2, 2008
By Amy Norman On a bright, clear Saturday morning in October, nearly 100 men gathered at Chapel Rock Christian Church on the west side of Indianapolis, Indiana, to learn and be reinforced in their leadership roles as elders and ministers in their respective churches. The fourth annual Indianapolis Congress of Elders was conducted October 20 and brought together men from the Indianapolis area who are in leadership at Christian churches and churches of Christ. “The congress is marketed to Marion County and the eight surrounding counties, but it”s open to everyone in the state,” said Dave Soucie, senior minister with
April 7, 2026
John B. Penrose Jr
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David Faust
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Rick Cherok