September 1, 2021
Investing in Leadership
During COVID-19, church leaders experienced change, loss, and pain. Those who remained steadfast in their approach by setting goals and persevering ultimately made it through.
Articles for tag: Biblical Eldership
May 1, 2015
Roadcup”s Top Five Discipleship Resources
By Michael C. Mack David Roadcup has contributed to four books on biblical eldership and speaks often on the topic (see more information about the ministry effective elders at e2elders.org). Here are five resources Roadcup recommends for anyone who is involved in discipleship: 1. As Iron Sharpens Iron: Building Character in a Mentoring Relationship, Howard and William Hendricks 2. Celebration of Discipline: The Path to Spiritual Growth, Richard J. Foster 3. Ordering Your Private World, Gordon MacDonald 4. Transforming Discipleship: Making Disciples a Few at a Time, Greg Ogden 5. Life to Life Discipleship: Deepening Youth through Mentoring and Accountability
December 7, 2014
In Praise of Pretending
By Eddie Lowen Few values have bigger buzzword status in the Christian community than authenticity. I”m glad. Sincerity is always in season. When churches and church leaders are genuine in motive and style, spiritual seekers find and follow them. Everything written about reaching young adults stresses the importance of “authentic community.” While the phrase now seems overused, the value can”t be overemphasized. It”s crucial. But I do have one caution concerning authenticity. In my own journey with God, growth has not always felt natural. Some of the progress I”ve made has been forced and awkward, rather than instinctive. So, I”ve
January 25, 2013
How Are We Growing Our Elders?
By Don Green Churches of all sizes need to establish a process for disciple and leader development that can equip future elders to function as Christlike leaders (Luke 6:40). To be healthy and effective, every church must ensure that mature disciples are being prepared to function as shepherding, overseeing, and leading elders and equippers (Acts 20:28; Ephesians 4:11-16; 1 Peter 5:1-4). Although adopting a disciple development process in a local congregation is no guarantee that effective leaders will be developed, it is an essential pathway to kingdom leadership development. During church consultations over the past 30 years I have often
November 3, 2012
Biblical Qualities of an Elder (Part 2)
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
November 15, 2009
Growing Leaders in a Young Church: Infancy to Eldership
by Dave Smith I walked into the mailroom at TCM International in Indianapolis, Indiana. It was January 31, 1994. In my mailbox was a letter from a church in Princeton, New Jersey. Ever the optimistic fund-raiser, I assumed it contained: (a) a very large check, (b) a commitment to support TCM until Jesus returns, or (c) both of the above. Much to my surprise, it was a letter asking me to consider leading a church planting team to New England. New England! My immediate reaction was that it was too cold, too far away, too expensive, too unfriendly. But 13
November 11, 2009
The Most Important Leadership Task
By Mark A. Taylor Say leader to someone who is not a leader, and he”s likely to picture a public person: the convincing speaker, the meeting chairman, the decision-maker with the last word or the authority to sign-off. Those who actually lead, however, know much of their work happens in private, behind the scenes, one-on-one, or even alone. But leaders as well as followers sometimes miss one dimension of leadership, and that”s the responsibility highlighted in this week”s issue: Leaders must develop new leaders. The leaders writing this week know this. They speak in the context of a new church,
November 2, 2008
A New Leadership Model as Old as the New Testament
By Scott Cromer In 2001, New Life Church of Christ in Bellville, Ohio, stood at a crossroads. The traditional leadership model where elders and deacons voted on church business at board meetings was no longer serving the needs of our congregation. After several months of prayer and study, the other elders and I made the shift to a shepherding leadership model, and it has had a positive impact on the atmosphere at New Life. Â THREE STEPS We accomplished this shift in three steps. First, we abandoned our traditional roles of elders and deacons, and with them, the concept of
October 19, 2008
Three Resources on Elders and the Local Church
By Casey Tygrett When I was asked to write this article, I had to admit I had not read extensively in the area of eldership for some time. It isn”t exactly vacation reading for beside the pool! Especially after reading through Alexander Strauch”s classic Biblical Eldership, I had not explored other resources on the subject because I felt he had said it all in his detailed book. However, I was pleasantly surprised by the three books featured below, because they present challenges and ideas that can only serve to strengthen the leadership and character of elders in the local church.
April 20, 2008
Leading Men
By Jennifer Taylor You know the statistics: fewer men are going to church. And although the most urgent concern is helping those men meet Jesus, churches also face a second problem: if men aren’t attending church, they’re definitely not leading the church. Even men who do attend may remain spiritually immature; many lack role models, biblical knowledge, and awareness of leadership expectations. Three churches are creating and adapting programs to reverse these trends and build groups of men equipped for service as husbands, fathers, teachers, and even elders. From ornery middle school boys to retired business executives, these congregations disciple,
