WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:08.800 Great. Okay, let's make a start. Let me pray for us as we come to think about what is a church elder. 00:00:08.800 --> 00:00:09.960 Let's pray. 00:00:11.919 --> 00:00:21.580 Heavenly Father, we thank you that you teach us in your word about how to organize and live our lives alongside each other as a local church. 00:00:21.960 --> 00:00:27.120 And we pray this evening that you might help us to think clearly and carefully and thoughtfully. 00:00:27.120 --> 00:00:34.960 Not so much just because we want to get things right, but because we want our church to be glorifying to you and good for us. 00:00:35.179 --> 00:00:45.179 And we know that it will be most glorifying to you and most beneficial for us if we stick most closely to your revealed word. 00:00:45.280 --> 00:00:50.240 So we pray that you'd help us to that end in Jesus name. Amen. Amen. 00:00:50.240 --> 00:00:58.400 So we're thinking over these three weeks, so this is the middle one, about these basic sort of building blocks of church life. 00:00:58.500 --> 00:01:03.679 So we talked about what is a church member last week. What does it mean to belong to a local church? 00:01:04.099 --> 00:01:09.219 We're thinking this week about what is a church elder. And next week, we're going to be thinking about deacons. 00:01:09.299 --> 00:01:10.439 What is a church deacon? 00:01:10.439 --> 00:01:17.700 What is a church in? Now, the reason we're doing that, it's a useful thing for us to do, but we're also at a point in our church life where these questions are really important for us. 00:01:18.200 --> 00:01:22.140 We've merged two churches together. We all come from slightly different backgrounds. 00:01:22.859 --> 00:01:25.400 We've all had slightly different church experiences in our past. 00:01:25.400 --> 00:01:40.660 And so it is useful for us at this kind of juncture in our church life as we press on and appoint elders and deacons and think about membership together to come back to God's word and go, right, let's make sure that we've got this as clear as we can get it from God's word. 00:01:40.760 --> 00:01:43.560 And so that's why we are in this territory together. 00:01:43.719 --> 00:01:52.920 So the plan is, as a church, over this next year to appoint elders and deacons from amongst the joint leadership team and from others in the church. 00:01:52.920 --> 00:01:58.700 And so it's important that we're all clear about what qualifies people to be elders and what is the responsibility of elders. 00:01:59.180 --> 00:02:08.479 Now, I would imagine if you've thought about this a little bit, the thing that you might think is, well, the first place to go is to the qualifications for eldership in 1 Timothy and Titus. 00:02:08.920 --> 00:02:10.199 And we will come to that. 00:02:10.780 --> 00:02:21.400 But before we do that, I want to show you just a couple of assumptions that the New Testament makes about elders and then to think about what the Bible says about the work of an elder. 00:02:21.400 --> 00:02:25.659 And then we'll come to the qualifications for eldership at the end. 00:02:26.200 --> 00:02:29.240 So here are two assumptions to start off with. 00:02:29.640 --> 00:02:35.819 The first one is that in the New Testament, it is always elders and not elder. 00:02:36.599 --> 00:02:43.099 In other words, the office of elder is to be held by a team, not just by one individual. 00:02:44.439 --> 00:02:47.759 They're probably the best place to go for that is Titus. 00:02:47.759 --> 00:02:54.579 So if you turn to Titus chapter 1 verse 5, or I think maybe if you dip into your handout. 00:02:54.699 --> 00:02:57.099 Oh, no, it starts at verse 6, the one that I put in your handout. 00:02:57.239 --> 00:03:02.219 So Titus chapter 1 verse 5 says this. 00:03:02.299 --> 00:03:08.340 Paul is writing to Titus and he's explaining what his job is in Crete. 00:03:08.340 --> 00:03:09.719 And he says this. 00:03:09.719 --> 00:03:21.860 The reason I left you in Crete was that you might put in order what was left unfinished and appoint elders in every town as I directed you. 00:03:22.659 --> 00:03:33.039 Now, it seems, doesn't it, that the result of their missionary endeavors on the island of Crete is that a number of different churches have started in each town that they visited. 00:03:33.039 --> 00:03:47.479 And so Titus is left behind with this specific role of appointing elders, plural, in every town, i.e. every church gathering, as he's directed or has been directed by Paul. 00:03:47.479 --> 00:03:53.539 And it seems, doesn't it, that the church in Crete is disordered or out of order. 00:03:54.280 --> 00:03:57.219 So kind of, you know, the thing that gets put up on the toilets when they're out of order. 00:03:57.539 --> 00:04:03.019 So that he has to put it in order by appointing elders in every town. 00:04:03.639 --> 00:04:12.139 And so then it seems once each church has a plurality of elders, the church in some senses can be left to get on with its life and ministry. 00:04:12.139 --> 00:04:13.919 And that's important, isn't it? 00:04:14.479 --> 00:04:21.019 I think it's important when we think about the passages that describe the responsibility of elders, and we're going to come to those in a moment, 00:04:21.719 --> 00:04:28.979 that there is not necessarily the assumption that every individual elder is doing exactly the same thing in the life of the church. 00:04:28.979 --> 00:04:33.560 We're going to pick up on 1 Timothy 5, talking about the division of preaching amongst the elders. 00:04:33.560 --> 00:04:43.439 But still, the model of sort of the eldership of one man is not a New Testament picture of the life of a church. 00:04:43.579 --> 00:04:50.340 One man leading a church with others sort of nodding their head at his instructions is not a New Testament model of church. 00:04:50.899 --> 00:04:58.019 The idea of a pastor and deacons is a model that lots of Baptist churches have fallen into in the last 50 years or so, 00:04:58.019 --> 00:05:00.219 and it finds no support in the New Testament at all. 00:05:01.079 --> 00:05:06.019 Actually, that is not how ministry in the life of a church was intended to be. 00:05:06.120 --> 00:05:08.959 I think in Titus language, it would be out of order. 00:05:09.799 --> 00:05:13.639 So also, I think, I mean, I'm in for a penny, so in for a pound, right? 00:05:13.759 --> 00:05:15.419 I've dissed the Baptist church. 00:05:15.519 --> 00:05:17.099 So what about the Anglican church? 00:05:17.180 --> 00:05:22.819 I think a vicar with a rubber stamping PCC is also not conceived of in the New Testament. 00:05:22.819 --> 00:05:28.699 Elders' responsibility, authority in that way, in the New Testament is always plural. 00:05:29.219 --> 00:05:32.459 It is the shared responsibility and authority in the church. 00:05:32.959 --> 00:05:36.719 Now, that doesn't mean that elders won't appoint a leader among them, 00:05:36.939 --> 00:05:41.939 or that they won't decide to set one of them aside from ordinary work to devote themselves to the ministry of the church. 00:05:41.959 --> 00:05:45.939 But it does mean that the work of an elder is to be done with other elders. 00:05:46.079 --> 00:05:46.980 That's the first assumption. 00:05:47.300 --> 00:05:48.759 Elders are always plural. 00:05:48.759 --> 00:05:53.339 The second assumption is that elders are men. 00:05:54.300 --> 00:06:00.399 Now, not any men and not all men, but men. 00:06:00.699 --> 00:06:05.779 Now, we've not got the time to go into the complexities of this this evening beyond really just stating it. 00:06:05.800 --> 00:06:07.599 And if you want to ask me questions, you can. 00:06:07.659 --> 00:06:11.779 There is also a written statement that our church signs up to each year, 00:06:11.779 --> 00:06:18.099 and you're welcome to read that and ask your questions about it as part of our belonging to the Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches. 00:06:18.100 --> 00:06:22.939 But the clear assumption of the New Testament is that elders will be men and not women. 00:06:23.620 --> 00:06:27.860 That is not, it has to be said, because women wouldn't be capable of the role, 00:06:28.240 --> 00:06:32.120 nor is it because women are not capable of understanding the scriptures well enough to elder. 00:06:32.220 --> 00:06:33.000 All of that is nonsense. 00:06:33.640 --> 00:06:39.000 Rather, it seems that in the New Testament, the church is, if you like, the remaking of Eden. 00:06:39.000 --> 00:06:45.319 That is, we're not to think of the church as to be a voluntary organization, as we were thinking last Sunday. 00:06:45.680 --> 00:06:48.279 It's not a charitable organization like any other. 00:06:48.699 --> 00:06:52.019 It's rather that the church is an outpost of the new creation. 00:06:52.500 --> 00:06:57.920 This is a new Eden where the complementary roles of men and women are reflected. 00:06:57.920 --> 00:07:03.040 So equality and dignity and status, equal image bearers of the God who made them, 00:07:03.560 --> 00:07:09.660 sharers together in the authority given to church members, but complementary in role. 00:07:10.620 --> 00:07:15.379 Again, this doesn't mean, does it, that all women in the church submit to all men in the church. 00:07:15.600 --> 00:07:16.639 That is not the case either. 00:07:17.200 --> 00:07:19.860 Submission in the church seems to be more mutual than that. 00:07:20.200 --> 00:07:23.960 And some men, suitably qualified and gifted, will serve as elders. 00:07:23.959 --> 00:07:27.759 So there you go, two New Testament assumptions. 00:07:28.120 --> 00:07:29.719 That's fairly simple and straightforward, isn't it? 00:07:29.759 --> 00:07:30.620 And uncontroversial. 00:07:31.939 --> 00:07:33.739 Plurality and gender. 00:07:34.180 --> 00:07:37.240 Okay, so those are two to start off with. 00:07:37.359 --> 00:07:40.039 Now what I want us to do is think about the role of elders. 00:07:40.179 --> 00:07:44.279 And I want you to do a bit of work on this for me and with me. 00:07:44.759 --> 00:07:47.959 So what I've done is I've listed some passages there. 00:07:48.759 --> 00:07:52.819 I've printed them out on your handout so you don't have to go scraping around the Bible to find them. 00:07:52.819 --> 00:07:59.000 And in each of those passages you are given a description of what the role of an elder is. 00:07:59.159 --> 00:08:01.199 Like what their responsibility is. 00:08:01.480 --> 00:08:01.639 Okay? 00:08:02.159 --> 00:08:07.500 And I want you just to highlight in there the words that describe the work of an elder. 00:08:07.699 --> 00:08:09.339 And have a think about what they might mean. 00:08:09.519 --> 00:08:11.819 So just have a look at it. 00:08:11.879 --> 00:08:13.180 You might want to just do that with your neighbor. 00:08:14.079 --> 00:08:15.800 You could work in a three if you wanted to. 00:08:16.300 --> 00:08:16.959 But go for that. 00:08:17.039 --> 00:08:18.699 Have a read through those passages. 00:08:18.699 --> 00:08:21.399 And highlight the words that describe the work of an elder. 00:08:21.959 --> 00:08:24.159 And what those words imply or mean. 00:08:25.039 --> 00:08:25.819 Go for it. 00:08:27.959 --> 00:08:28.319 Okay. 00:08:28.819 --> 00:08:29.879 It's like every exam you sat. 00:08:29.959 --> 00:08:31.060 Don't forget to turn the page. 00:08:31.159 --> 00:08:32.279 There are some on the inside. 00:08:32.860 --> 00:08:34.220 Titus, Hebrews and 1 Peter. 00:08:34.220 --> 00:08:34.860 Okay. 00:08:42.379 --> 00:08:46.759 I never know when to interrupt your conversations. 00:08:46.899 --> 00:08:50.519 But when it gets a bit louder I assume that you've stopped talking about the task that we've been set. 00:08:50.620 --> 00:08:51.759 And you've started talking about something else. 00:08:51.899 --> 00:08:52.040 Right. 00:08:52.200 --> 00:08:52.379 So. 00:08:53.460 --> 00:08:56.500 Any comments or questions that came up from that? 00:08:56.500 --> 00:09:00.080 What are the roles of elders as described in those passages? 00:09:00.080 --> 00:09:05.920 Keep watch over. 00:09:06.200 --> 00:09:07.700 Keep watch over. 00:09:08.040 --> 00:09:08.220 Yeah. 00:09:08.940 --> 00:09:09.580 So there's a. 00:09:09.860 --> 00:09:12.379 The shepherding kind of image isn't there. 00:09:12.460 --> 00:09:13.259 Over the flock. 00:09:15.200 --> 00:09:15.340 Yeah. 00:09:15.580 --> 00:09:16.560 Shepherd, pastor. 00:09:16.800 --> 00:09:18.259 That kind of image. 00:09:18.360 --> 00:09:18.480 Yeah. 00:09:18.540 --> 00:09:19.200 Watching over. 00:09:19.320 --> 00:09:20.180 Taking care of. 00:09:20.720 --> 00:09:21.360 Protecting. 00:09:22.020 --> 00:09:22.180 Yeah. 00:09:24.120 --> 00:09:26.140 Is this just shut down or can we ask questions? 00:09:26.379 --> 00:09:26.540 Yeah. 00:09:26.580 --> 00:09:26.800 Go on. 00:09:26.800 --> 00:09:27.720 Where was that? 00:09:28.060 --> 00:09:28.420 Just make sure. 00:09:28.419 --> 00:09:31.099 What is a noble task? 00:09:31.599 --> 00:09:32.899 So in one to the big one. 00:09:33.559 --> 00:09:35.519 It says you aspire to be an overseer. 00:09:35.620 --> 00:09:35.799 So. 00:09:36.919 --> 00:09:40.039 One who aspires to be an overseer is a role of elder. 00:09:40.159 --> 00:09:41.759 But they desire a noble task. 00:09:41.860 --> 00:09:42.519 What would you define? 00:09:42.919 --> 00:09:43.559 Would you say that means? 00:09:47.479 --> 00:09:48.139 What do you mean? 00:09:48.319 --> 00:09:49.179 What do you mean? 00:09:49.179 --> 00:09:50.120 You say noble task. 00:09:50.360 --> 00:09:52.799 So like you desire a noble task. 00:09:53.099 --> 00:09:54.980 We're debating what this through. 00:09:54.980 --> 00:09:57.399 What does noble task? 00:09:57.399 --> 00:09:58.379 So I think. 00:09:58.539 --> 00:09:58.699 I mean. 00:09:58.819 --> 00:09:59.679 I think it implies two things. 00:09:59.779 --> 00:10:00.340 One is that. 00:10:00.720 --> 00:10:02.079 There is a sense in which. 00:10:02.559 --> 00:10:04.539 It's a good thing to aspire to be an elder. 00:10:04.779 --> 00:10:06.379 Because it's a good thing to be doing. 00:10:06.959 --> 00:10:07.659 In the church. 00:10:09.579 --> 00:10:11.220 I think the other implication is. 00:10:11.399 --> 00:10:12.980 Possibly on the negative side of it. 00:10:13.079 --> 00:10:15.000 Perhaps there'll be more people who want to do it. 00:10:15.039 --> 00:10:16.539 Than are necessarily qualified to do it. 00:10:16.600 --> 00:10:17.879 Might be the other implication of the one. 00:10:17.879 --> 00:10:21.439 Because it is a good thing to be doing. 00:10:21.439 --> 00:10:27.259 Does it make sense of being? 00:10:27.259 --> 00:10:29.519 So it's like. 00:10:30.639 --> 00:10:31.000 I don't know. 00:10:31.000 --> 00:10:31.580 It's going to be like. 00:10:31.580 --> 00:10:34.580 You have to be a certain level of holiness. 00:10:35.259 --> 00:10:35.779 Okay. 00:10:35.960 --> 00:10:36.179 Yes. 00:10:36.240 --> 00:10:40.919 So there is a requirement of being above reproach. 00:10:41.120 --> 00:10:41.220 Yeah. 00:10:41.220 --> 00:10:42.220 Yes. 00:10:43.320 --> 00:10:43.560 Okay. 00:10:43.779 --> 00:10:43.980 Yeah. 00:10:44.580 --> 00:10:44.779 Yeah. 00:10:45.840 --> 00:10:46.820 Other things on. 00:10:46.920 --> 00:10:47.300 Oh, sorry. 00:10:47.300 --> 00:10:48.600 My wife. 00:10:48.860 --> 00:10:49.160 Yes. 00:10:49.920 --> 00:10:51.080 She said to me. 00:10:51.600 --> 00:10:52.639 I asked her. 00:10:53.560 --> 00:10:54.860 Is it good to aspire? 00:10:56.200 --> 00:10:56.500 Yeah. 00:10:56.500 --> 00:10:57.200 She told me. 00:10:57.740 --> 00:10:58.740 Some people aspire. 00:10:59.120 --> 00:11:00.060 Some people call. 00:11:00.500 --> 00:11:01.120 It didn't help me. 00:11:01.120 --> 00:11:08.940 So let's stick to the task of looking at what the actual responsibilities are. 00:11:10.100 --> 00:11:10.860 I think. 00:11:10.960 --> 00:11:11.139 Yes. 00:11:11.179 --> 00:11:11.360 See. 00:11:11.759 --> 00:11:12.360 I think. 00:11:12.820 --> 00:11:15.639 To actually answer your question about the difference between aspiring and being called. 00:11:15.639 --> 00:11:19.759 I think the call to be an elder comes from a church to an individual, doesn't it? 00:11:20.000 --> 00:11:21.000 You don't appoint yourself. 00:11:21.480 --> 00:11:21.620 Right. 00:11:22.120 --> 00:11:24.139 But it's right for you to want to do it. 00:11:25.419 --> 00:11:28.600 And actually, I think when you are looking to recognize an elder in the church. 00:11:28.600 --> 00:11:32.980 If they don't want to do it, they have no aspiration to be an elder. 00:11:33.480 --> 00:11:37.040 Then you probably shouldn't make them one because you'll just make them miserable. 00:11:37.980 --> 00:11:40.340 And everybody else around them as well, probably. 00:11:40.620 --> 00:11:40.740 Right. 00:11:40.779 --> 00:11:43.720 Let's get back to the task of what are the responsibilities of elders. 00:11:44.620 --> 00:11:46.259 Let's stay on task if we can. 00:11:46.440 --> 00:11:47.639 So we've had Shepard. 00:11:48.300 --> 00:11:49.980 Nick, you're the only person who's actually answered the question. 00:11:50.080 --> 00:11:50.420 Thank you. 00:11:52.120 --> 00:11:53.519 And what else have we got? 00:11:53.519 --> 00:11:53.519 00:11:53.519 --> 00:11:54.519 Yes. 00:12:00.840 --> 00:12:01.079 Yes. 00:12:01.079 --> 00:12:04.699 So there's a doctrinal oversight, isn't there? 00:12:04.819 --> 00:12:10.379 So there's a responsibility to make sure that the gospel is clear and not contradicted. 00:12:10.740 --> 00:12:10.840 Yeah. 00:12:12.059 --> 00:12:13.639 Directing the affairs of the church. 00:12:14.019 --> 00:12:14.460 Yes. 00:12:14.980 --> 00:12:15.220 Yeah. 00:12:15.360 --> 00:12:18.500 So 1 Timothy 5, 17, directing the affairs of the church. 00:12:18.539 --> 00:12:19.419 What do we think that means? 00:12:19.419 --> 00:12:19.500 Yes. 00:12:19.500 --> 00:12:19.500 00:12:23.519 --> 00:12:23.960 Yeah. 00:12:26.379 --> 00:12:26.659 Yeah. 00:12:26.860 --> 00:12:28.419 Keeping a God-centered perspective. 00:12:28.679 --> 00:12:31.120 I think sort of charting a course, isn't it? 00:12:31.139 --> 00:12:33.199 It's actually leading in a certain direction. 00:12:33.340 --> 00:12:35.720 It's saying this is the way we believe the Lord is calling us. 00:12:35.819 --> 00:12:38.319 We are directing us in this direction. 00:12:38.519 --> 00:12:39.360 This is where we're going. 00:12:39.559 --> 00:12:39.679 Yeah. 00:12:40.980 --> 00:12:41.360 Yeah. 00:12:41.720 --> 00:12:42.039 Leadership. 00:12:42.620 --> 00:12:42.720 Yeah. 00:12:44.620 --> 00:12:45.379 Anything else? 00:12:45.519 --> 00:12:46.199 Preaching and teaching. 00:12:46.200 --> 00:12:47.320 Yes. 00:12:47.320 --> 00:12:54.300 So again, 1 Timothy 5, 17, preaching and teaching is going to be the responsibility of the elders. 00:12:55.680 --> 00:12:55.820 Yeah. 00:12:55.820 --> 00:12:55.879 Yeah. 00:12:55.879 --> 00:12:58.740 I find it interesting that seems to be the experience. 00:12:58.920 --> 00:13:05.640 It seems to be how the church members often respond and support members in that role as well. 00:13:06.060 --> 00:13:06.280 Yeah. 00:13:06.920 --> 00:13:10.800 So it's almost like that responsibility to be sure that they don't do it by now. 00:13:11.379 --> 00:13:11.820 Right. 00:13:12.120 --> 00:13:12.540 Yes. 00:13:13.020 --> 00:13:13.460 Yeah. 00:13:13.460 --> 00:13:13.540 Yeah. 00:13:14.620 --> 00:13:14.980 Yeah. 00:13:14.980 --> 00:13:19.879 So there is a responsibility of members to make their work a joy and not a burden. 00:13:20.259 --> 00:13:26.840 I think they'll put that verse in there because I think it is the elders are given a certain sort of authority in the church, aren't they, in verse 17? 00:13:26.940 --> 00:13:33.340 So they have a responsibility and authority, which we'll think about a bit more in a bit more detail in a moment. 00:13:34.180 --> 00:13:36.060 But they also have to give an account. 00:13:36.059 --> 00:13:39.819 So they're responsible to the Lord for their work. 00:13:39.819 --> 00:13:40.179 Yeah. 00:13:40.939 --> 00:13:43.479 Anything else on responsibilities? 00:13:45.019 --> 00:13:45.419 Yeah. 00:13:45.519 --> 00:13:45.919 Go on, Carson. 00:13:46.219 --> 00:13:47.659 Why are they called elders? 00:13:48.019 --> 00:13:51.059 Is it because they're older than the older people? 00:13:51.219 --> 00:13:52.439 Or do they have to give an experience? 00:13:52.439 --> 00:13:52.699 Okay. 00:13:53.899 --> 00:13:54.299 Yes. 00:13:54.419 --> 00:13:59.000 So one of the things that I thought we might do tonight, but I just decided that we wouldn't do for the sake of time, 00:13:59.000 --> 00:14:06.700 is have a longer discussion about the word elder, because I think it comes with an Old Testament background, 00:14:06.700 --> 00:14:09.799 where it is the assumption that it is older men in the church. 00:14:09.879 --> 00:14:16.379 But I think in 1 Timothy, for example, he's expected to take on the responsibility of eldering, and he is a younger man. 00:14:17.200 --> 00:14:17.899 So, yeah. 00:14:18.360 --> 00:14:19.240 But yes, thanks, Charleston. 00:14:19.799 --> 00:14:23.360 Is it to work hard and care and admonish? 00:14:23.360 --> 00:14:23.840 Yeah. 00:14:24.019 --> 00:14:26.480 Work hard, care and admonish. 00:14:26.680 --> 00:14:26.860 Yeah. 00:14:26.980 --> 00:14:28.580 It's going to be difficult. 00:14:28.919 --> 00:14:30.120 There is a task to be done. 00:14:33.300 --> 00:14:33.700 Yeah. 00:14:37.700 --> 00:14:38.100 Yeah. 00:14:38.300 --> 00:14:38.519 Okay. 00:14:38.639 --> 00:14:39.399 So double honor. 00:14:39.560 --> 00:14:41.519 Again, this is the 1 Timothy 5 one. 00:14:41.639 --> 00:14:44.279 The elders who direct the affairs of the church are worthy of double honor. 00:14:44.639 --> 00:14:49.920 So in the context of 1 Timothy 5, it's talking about widows in the church who are to be honored, 00:14:49.919 --> 00:14:58.159 which I think is about the church taking responsibility to make sure that they are well cared for, possibly financially. 00:14:59.219 --> 00:15:03.839 And double honor means, I think, in that context, not that you're to pay them double of that, 00:15:03.899 --> 00:15:06.719 but just that they are just like you look after the widows in church. 00:15:06.779 --> 00:15:14.500 You are also to honor and care for the elders in the church, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. 00:15:14.500 --> 00:15:14.980 Yeah. 00:15:17.079 --> 00:15:17.519 Yeah. 00:15:17.519 --> 00:15:23.139 I think going back to your point about not appointing elders for like so many people there. 00:15:23.519 --> 00:15:23.720 Yeah. 00:15:23.819 --> 00:15:25.199 To care for the flock. 00:15:25.579 --> 00:15:25.799 Yeah. 00:15:25.840 --> 00:15:26.399 1 Peter 5. 00:15:26.699 --> 00:15:26.960 Yeah. 00:15:27.519 --> 00:15:28.299 1 Peter 5. 00:15:28.519 --> 00:15:28.720 Yeah. 00:15:28.899 --> 00:15:29.639 Willing to care. 00:15:30.199 --> 00:15:36.120 I would say from the 1 Timothy 5, it's like 12 Peter 5, and that's because you're doing this 00:15:36.120 --> 00:15:39.259 with the 8 of the priest's home in the church. 00:15:39.799 --> 00:15:40.240 Yes. 00:15:40.699 --> 00:15:40.939 Yeah. 00:15:40.939 --> 00:15:45.620 And so you have to be watchful and make sure that people are not doing what you start. 00:15:45.620 --> 00:15:46.580 Yes. 00:15:46.840 --> 00:15:51.379 You need to be watchful and make sure that people aren't doing dodgy stuff, to quote Mike 00:15:51.379 --> 00:15:51.799 directly. 00:15:51.919 --> 00:15:53.759 But yeah, I think that's helpful. 00:15:54.240 --> 00:15:55.700 I think it's interesting, isn't it? 00:15:55.700 --> 00:16:02.420 There is a responsibility not only to lead and direct and point the church in a certain direction 00:16:02.420 --> 00:16:07.080 and say, this is what we're doing, this is our mission, this is our task, but also to protect 00:16:07.080 --> 00:16:13.040 and guard the sheep against false doctrine and be willing to stand up and say, no, that's not right. 00:16:13.039 --> 00:16:15.839 So it's quite easy. 00:16:15.839 --> 00:16:19.779 I don't know if you noticed me doing this this morning. 00:16:19.899 --> 00:16:22.620 It's quite easy in one sense to teach the truth. 00:16:23.240 --> 00:16:27.579 That's slightly easier than then saying, no, but that's not the truth, right? 00:16:27.599 --> 00:16:29.819 Because that's a slightly more costly thing to say. 00:16:29.820 --> 00:16:34.580 And I think the implication is here that it's a willingness to say, you know, this is true, 00:16:34.960 --> 00:16:36.980 which means that is not true, right? 00:16:37.360 --> 00:16:41.480 So this is justification by faith, which means that is not true. 00:16:42.300 --> 00:16:49.879 And we need to be, elders need to be willing to say both and admonish false doctrine and false living as well. 00:16:50.160 --> 00:16:50.280 Yeah. 00:16:50.279 --> 00:16:59.500 And elders who are not willing to hold members to account for the life that they lead in terms of speaking to them for it 00:16:59.500 --> 00:17:02.860 are neglecting the responsibility that they're given. 00:17:03.179 --> 00:17:03.279 Yeah. 00:17:06.759 --> 00:17:08.019 Yes, being an example. 00:17:08.460 --> 00:17:08.619 Yeah. 00:17:08.720 --> 00:17:13.960 So you're supposed to be able to look at an elder and go, I would like to be like them. 00:17:13.960 --> 00:17:15.819 I would like to know the Lord like they know the Lord. 00:17:15.899 --> 00:17:18.240 I want to know the Bible the way they know the Bible. 00:17:18.240 --> 00:17:19.960 I want to live like they're living. 00:17:20.259 --> 00:17:20.359 Yeah. 00:17:21.059 --> 00:17:21.240 Yeah. 00:17:29.460 --> 00:17:29.980 Yes. 00:17:30.900 --> 00:17:31.299 Yes. 00:17:31.339 --> 00:17:33.660 The management of God's household. 00:17:34.000 --> 00:17:34.200 Yeah. 00:17:34.440 --> 00:17:34.759 It's. 00:17:35.059 --> 00:17:35.440 Yes. 00:17:35.440 --> 00:17:36.220 I think you're right. 00:17:36.720 --> 00:17:42.660 I think there is a sense of being responsible for the resources of the church to manage them, 00:17:42.819 --> 00:17:44.380 to manage them well. 00:17:44.819 --> 00:17:44.960 Yeah. 00:17:46.579 --> 00:17:47.019 Okay. 00:17:48.240 --> 00:17:49.240 Yes. 00:17:49.240 --> 00:18:01.279 So I think there's a leadership thing that they're to lead the church in the way that it's to go, 00:18:01.279 --> 00:18:07.160 which means all those things, so shepherding, caring, looking after, pointing out false doctrine, 00:18:07.539 --> 00:18:12.960 taking responsibility for the resources of the church, both financial and in gifting. 00:18:12.960 --> 00:18:21.180 Now, I want to suggest that if you put those things together, what that means is that the elders in the church aren't just any godly men in the church. 00:18:21.380 --> 00:18:21.480 Right. 00:18:21.539 --> 00:18:27.519 There might be godly men in the church who know their Bibles, who love the Lord, who are walking closely with him, 00:18:27.519 --> 00:18:39.660 who might not be suitable elders because the elders are expected to lead the church and have leadership responsibility in the life of the church. 00:18:39.660 --> 00:18:46.880 If you say that is not someone I would like to follow, then that's not somebody who should be an elder. 00:18:46.880 --> 00:18:54.660 Or if that is somebody who is not able to lead in that way, then also I think they're not suitable to be an elder. 00:18:54.660 --> 00:19:03.700 There's a guy called Murray Caphill who's written a book called The Elder-Led Church, and he boils down those passages to five key terms. 00:19:04.220 --> 00:19:13.060 So elder, as in the way that Charleston was using it earlier in terms of wisdom and maturity, shepherding and pastoring, 00:19:13.160 --> 00:19:18.440 puts those together because they're essentially the same thing, overseeing, leader, steward. 00:19:18.440 --> 00:19:25.360 And commenting on that last one, he says, the New Testament is not merely looking for a family man. 00:19:25.480 --> 00:19:27.740 We'll talk a bit more about the family things in a moment. 00:19:28.279 --> 00:19:32.640 But it is seeking someone who is highly responsible in handling people and resources. 00:19:33.140 --> 00:19:33.400 Why? 00:19:34.100 --> 00:19:35.740 Because that's what elders must do. 00:19:36.059 --> 00:19:42.059 They will need to lead the household of God, overseeing the complexity of interpersonal relationships and church resources, 00:19:42.480 --> 00:19:45.620 helping develop and enact the church's ministry plans, 00:19:45.619 --> 00:19:51.119 and ensuring that the household of God is united, orderly and focused. 00:19:51.619 --> 00:19:54.759 He then goes on to define this leadership role of elders like this. 00:19:55.099 --> 00:19:57.719 Leadership is about taking people somewhere. 00:19:58.379 --> 00:20:02.459 Leaders see where we need to go and they work out how to get there. 00:20:02.979 --> 00:20:07.579 They have a clear sense of what God wants and they make plans for how to move toward that. 00:20:08.239 --> 00:20:13.119 They are lovingly and clearly, sorry, they lovingly and clearly help people go there. 00:20:13.119 --> 00:20:18.339 They will cast a vision, determining the strategy and ensuring adequate resourcing, 00:20:18.879 --> 00:20:25.519 engage people's gifts, constantly encourage and motivate people, work at unity, solve problems and celebrate blessings. 00:20:26.239 --> 00:20:28.779 Ultimately, the goal is maturity in Christ. 00:20:29.519 --> 00:20:37.079 Paul declares, him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom that we may present everyone mature in Christ. 00:20:37.079 --> 00:20:38.720 He then concludes, 00:20:38.720 --> 00:20:42.519 Are elders godly men who are largely gift free? 00:20:43.079 --> 00:20:45.919 Are they just any godly men in the church? 00:20:46.460 --> 00:20:49.519 The entire biblical picture says otherwise. 00:20:50.299 --> 00:20:56.059 They must be godly, mature, well-respected members of the community who are able to do what elders do. 00:20:56.599 --> 00:21:01.099 Shepherd the flock, oversee the church, lead God's people and steward God's house. 00:21:01.099 --> 00:21:09.079 In gospel eldership, Robert Thune writes, theological acumen, as in like knowledge, is not enough. 00:21:09.279 --> 00:21:11.579 Depth of character is not enough. 00:21:11.819 --> 00:21:15.379 Alignment with your church's vision and mission is not enough. 00:21:15.819 --> 00:21:20.399 Unless a man has proven that he has the skill and ability to lead other leaders, 00:21:20.959 --> 00:21:23.899 he should not be leading as an elder in God's church. 00:21:23.900 --> 00:21:27.860 There you go, that's what he says. 00:21:27.960 --> 00:21:31.120 And I would love to take your questions and comments on it, but I haven't got time. 00:21:31.860 --> 00:21:34.100 So, go on then, Charleston, I'll let you off. 00:21:34.780 --> 00:21:35.900 We need to be humble. 00:21:37.460 --> 00:21:37.780 Certainly. 00:21:38.080 --> 00:21:43.420 Because they provide a legal role, but they can't rule the other. 00:21:43.880 --> 00:21:44.660 Yes, absolutely. 00:21:44.759 --> 00:21:47.880 We're going to come to some of those character qualifications in a few moments, Charleston, 00:21:47.920 --> 00:21:50.200 but you're right, they must be humble. 00:21:50.200 --> 00:21:56.279 Well, I think it's worth just to think a little bit more about authority in the life of the church 00:21:56.279 --> 00:21:59.960 and what that means and what authority is for the elders. 00:21:59.960 --> 00:22:07.860 So, one of the things that we thought about last week was the authority of the church to define its members. 00:22:08.259 --> 00:22:13.779 So, the church is to be able to say who's in and who's out, who belongs and who doesn't belong. 00:22:14.640 --> 00:22:19.000 But it's worth thinking just about the distinction in two kinds of authority. 00:22:19.000 --> 00:22:23.960 Jonathan Lehman, in his book called Authority, calls these two types of authority, 00:22:24.099 --> 00:22:27.420 the authority of command and the authority of counsel. 00:22:28.500 --> 00:22:34.079 So, the authority of command, to start there, is the authority not only to say what should happen, 00:22:34.440 --> 00:22:36.079 but also to enforce it. 00:22:37.640 --> 00:22:45.059 So, the police, they have the authority of command, don't they, in certain areas, right? 00:22:45.059 --> 00:22:48.839 So, they are not, they're not going to pull you over in your car and say, 00:22:48.919 --> 00:22:54.039 listen, I just suggest you might want to go 30 miles an hour in this 30 zone. 00:22:54.460 --> 00:23:02.399 I think that's, no, they say you must go 30, or you will get a speeding ticket for exceeding the speed limit, right? 00:23:02.400 --> 00:23:04.860 So, it doesn't quite scan, does it? 00:23:04.880 --> 00:23:10.580 Because actually, their authority to actually charge you is given over to somebody else, isn't it? 00:23:10.580 --> 00:23:12.340 I don't know how it works legally, but anyway, there you go. 00:23:12.980 --> 00:23:13.759 That's the sort of thing. 00:23:14.100 --> 00:23:19.400 So, a parent of younger children has that sort of authority of command as well. 00:23:19.740 --> 00:23:24.860 It's, hey, you might fancy going to school this morning, you know, maybe get dressed and get up kind of thing. 00:23:25.320 --> 00:23:29.460 It's like, get up, get dressed, you're going to school, right? 00:23:29.460 --> 00:23:31.799 Do I have to go to school? 00:23:31.940 --> 00:23:33.640 Yes, you do have to go to school. 00:23:33.880 --> 00:23:35.620 That's, you must do that. 00:23:35.819 --> 00:23:38.900 And they will face consequences if they don't. 00:23:39.960 --> 00:23:46.779 Now, it's interesting that that authority of command is not in every situation of authority, is it? 00:23:47.799 --> 00:23:53.259 Parents of adult children have an authority of counsel and not of command. 00:23:53.259 --> 00:24:03.539 They have an authority that comes from giving wisdom and counsel to point in the right direction, but not to impose any kind of sanction. 00:24:04.259 --> 00:24:06.420 It's really, really important that we get this distinction. 00:24:07.879 --> 00:24:17.140 Husbands are given a level of authority over wives in the Bible, but it is not of command, but it's of counsel, isn't it? 00:24:17.140 --> 00:24:31.640 A husband has no right to demand the submission of his wife or to command her to do certain things, but of counsel to suggest and to encourage and to point into a wise direction. 00:24:31.640 --> 00:24:45.900 Now, in the life of the church, the authority of command, the authority to say you are in or you are out of church life, that authority is not given in the New Testament to the elders of the church, but to the members of the church. 00:24:46.400 --> 00:24:53.540 The elders of the church are given the authority of counsel, their right to instruct, to give wisdom. 00:24:53.539 --> 00:24:57.299 Not because listening to the elders of the church is not important. 00:24:58.139 --> 00:25:11.079 There are really loads of warnings about the seriousness of ignoring the wisdom of elders, but rather because like fathers in a household of adult children, they are to lead with counsel and not command. 00:25:11.079 --> 00:25:23.899 And it's, again, it's really important, isn't it, that that is seen and experienced in the life of the church, that the elders are not allowed to say, you must do this, or I will throw you out of the church. 00:25:24.339 --> 00:25:28.859 They can't do that because that is not in their gift or in their responsibility. 00:25:29.139 --> 00:25:32.779 They have not got that authority in the life of the church. 00:25:32.799 --> 00:25:34.839 That belongs to the members. 00:25:36.339 --> 00:25:36.599 Okay. 00:25:37.539 --> 00:25:39.119 The authority of counsel and command. 00:25:39.119 --> 00:25:39.619 Is that clear? 00:25:39.619 --> 00:25:41.259 Does that scan people? 00:25:42.079 --> 00:25:42.299 Yeah. 00:25:42.939 --> 00:25:43.500 People nodding. 00:25:43.659 --> 00:25:43.819 Okay. 00:25:43.899 --> 00:25:49.059 Well, let's come and talk about qualifications then as we finish off. 00:25:49.139 --> 00:25:49.959 What are the qualifications? 00:25:50.159 --> 00:25:58.739 What kind of people should we be looking for, men should we be looking for, to fulfill this role of eldership in the life of the church? 00:25:59.139 --> 00:26:01.199 There are two main passages that deal with these. 00:26:01.319 --> 00:26:05.759 One in 1 Timothy chapter 3 and the other in Titus chapter 1. 00:26:05.759 --> 00:26:10.000 I'm going to read the passages and then I want you to think about them again with the person next to you. 00:26:10.279 --> 00:26:15.559 I'm going to read them just so that you're not all reading them at the same time, which is a bit weird when we're all in the same room. 00:26:15.779 --> 00:26:15.940 Okay. 00:26:16.000 --> 00:26:19.299 Let me read the 1 Timothy chapter 3 one. 00:26:19.299 --> 00:26:20.940 Now, the overseer. 00:26:21.440 --> 00:26:27.220 So overseer, elder, pastor, they're all the same word in the New Testament, really, or the same idea. 00:26:27.960 --> 00:26:42.960 Now, the overseer is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not given to drunkenness, not violent, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. 00:26:42.960 --> 00:26:49.600 He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him, and he must do so in a manner worthy of full respect. 00:26:50.340 --> 00:26:54.319 If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God's church? 00:26:55.000 --> 00:27:00.640 He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil. 00:27:01.279 --> 00:27:08.380 He must also have a good reputation with outsiders so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil's trap. 00:27:09.700 --> 00:27:11.799 Titus chapter 1, verse 6. 00:27:11.799 --> 00:27:41.779 1 Timothy 1, verse 6. 00:27:41.799 --> 00:27:42.859 Holy and disciplined. 00:27:43.519 --> 00:27:52.720 He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it. 00:27:53.559 --> 00:27:58.299 Okay, slightly unhelpfully, the questions are on the next page of your handout, which means you're going to have to flick backwards and forwards. 00:27:58.419 --> 00:28:00.579 But what are the common threads there in the qualifications? 00:28:01.720 --> 00:28:03.799 Why do you think home life is so important? 00:28:04.379 --> 00:28:05.839 And are there any surprises? 00:28:05.839 --> 00:28:14.319 Turn to your neighbour and have a discussion about those, and then we'll pull our answers together in a moment. 00:28:14.319 --> 00:28:14.619 Okay. 00:28:14.619 --> 00:28:21.899 Let's get back together. 00:28:23.539 --> 00:28:27.419 What do we think the common threads are in the qualifications? 00:28:27.700 --> 00:28:29.159 What sort of themes are there? 00:28:30.099 --> 00:28:30.279 Anyone? 00:28:30.279 --> 00:28:31.279 Yes. 00:28:31.279 --> 00:28:32.279 Yes. 00:28:32.279 --> 00:28:33.279 Yes. 00:28:33.279 --> 00:28:34.279 Yes. 00:28:34.279 --> 00:28:34.279 00:28:34.279 --> 00:28:35.279 Yes. 00:28:35.279 --> 00:28:41.059 Children who believe. 00:28:41.059 --> 00:28:42.279 I think what we... 00:28:43.740 --> 00:28:50.500 There are probably some things just to say as sort of like fences around which we need to understand it. 00:28:50.500 --> 00:28:59.619 So it can't mean that the expectation is that the elder is sovereign over the salvation of his children, right? 00:28:59.619 --> 00:29:03.319 Because that would be outside of the bounds of biblical Christianity. 00:29:03.319 --> 00:29:19.000 I think there is something here about saying that children who are in the family home are expected to tow the family line in terms of church and what we're doing here. 00:29:19.119 --> 00:29:25.259 And that management of that is a display of suitability for eldership. 00:29:25.259 --> 00:29:51.420 There might also be particular behaviours and struggles that children might have that an elder is not directly responsible for, but that disqualify them from eldership because, for example, the reputation with outsiders or just the situation in the church, it just might be inappropriate for them to serve as an elder given that particular situation. 00:29:51.420 --> 00:29:55.240 But, yeah, there is a sense in which, isn't there? 00:29:55.279 --> 00:30:12.060 So I think that, you know, if a man's children are open to the charge of being wild and disobedient, if you can't manage your small circle of children, you're not going to be able to manage a larger circle of the church, I think, yeah. 00:30:12.740 --> 00:30:14.539 You could have a family with... 00:30:14.539 --> 00:30:18.440 So they've got six children and one of them is really bad and the others are all great, fine. 00:30:18.440 --> 00:30:24.160 And you do get exceptions like that, but you could judge a person for one child's sin. 00:30:25.059 --> 00:30:32.559 No, and so I think, sorry, the point was you can't necessarily judge a man for one child's sin. 00:30:32.660 --> 00:30:36.019 They might have a number of children and one be facing particular struggles. 00:30:36.160 --> 00:30:41.860 I agree with you, and I think you need to take that carefully and thoughtfully. 00:30:41.859 --> 00:30:57.079 Again, I think there is a sense here in which it is the way a man runs the home is a display of their suitability to run the church. 00:30:57.759 --> 00:31:07.539 And so the response of that individual to the situation that that child is facing will give you an account of their qualification and suitability for eldership. 00:31:07.539 --> 00:31:15.079 It is fascinating, isn't it, and we talked about this in our leadership team meeting as we were discussing this a few weeks ago, 00:31:15.299 --> 00:31:21.480 that lots of these things here are only going to be on display in the family, right? 00:31:21.579 --> 00:31:31.339 So most men can manage to come to church sober and hold their temper for an hour and a half in the Sunday gatherings of the church. 00:31:31.339 --> 00:31:34.419 They might not be able to do that at home. 00:31:35.259 --> 00:31:44.039 And so the assumption here is that you are asking their children and their wife, if they have a wife and children, what goes on at home? 00:31:44.519 --> 00:31:45.259 What's it like at home? 00:31:45.639 --> 00:31:48.740 And if you're not asking that question, I think you're going to miss out on the answers there. 00:31:49.379 --> 00:31:49.579 Lucy? 00:31:49.579 --> 00:31:51.579 That would be evident in the function of the family. 00:31:51.740 --> 00:31:52.659 Yes, yeah. 00:31:52.660 --> 00:31:55.500 What happens if they don't have a wife and kids? 00:31:56.180 --> 00:32:02.000 Like, does that, would you say that affects their ability to be a pastor? 00:32:02.680 --> 00:32:10.120 Or like, who would you have asked to be like, you know, you bring a family, but they don't have a family, so who would you ask? 00:32:10.480 --> 00:32:10.700 Yeah. 00:32:11.900 --> 00:32:13.300 That's a really good question, isn't it? 00:32:13.340 --> 00:32:17.380 So what about a single guy who doesn't have a wife and children? 00:32:17.380 --> 00:32:21.660 You can't, you must say, mustn't you, that you don't have to be married. 00:32:21.660 --> 00:32:23.759 That is definitely not the implication here. 00:32:23.860 --> 00:32:31.420 Otherwise, the Apostle Paul, the Lord Jesus, you know, say, we'd be on really thin ice, so they have to be married. 00:32:31.820 --> 00:32:38.440 I think, though, you can tell, you could tell how they run their own home and their own affairs. 00:32:38.440 --> 00:32:43.840 That would be a fairly good indication of their ability to manage themselves as well, 00:32:44.140 --> 00:32:49.080 and where they take responsibility for other things and other people and other situations. 00:32:49.079 --> 00:33:01.159 I think you can see how they care for their wider family as well as being an indicator of how they might approach leadership in the life of the church as well. 00:33:01.539 --> 00:33:01.619 Yeah. 00:33:02.079 --> 00:33:04.039 So there'll be different questions, but yeah. 00:33:04.799 --> 00:33:07.659 I don't think the implication is that you have to be married to be qualified. 00:33:07.660 --> 00:33:08.019 Yeah. 00:33:09.300 --> 00:33:13.440 Any other questions or comments on these things? 00:33:13.500 --> 00:33:14.240 Any surprises? 00:33:19.620 --> 00:33:20.720 It is a high bar. 00:33:20.980 --> 00:33:21.120 Yeah. 00:33:23.060 --> 00:33:24.060 It is a high bar. 00:33:24.059 --> 00:33:29.059 I think when you take the... 00:33:29.059 --> 00:33:33.579 So it's a high bar, but it's a bar that, you know, if there's a guy in the church who says, 00:33:33.679 --> 00:33:38.679 you know, I don't want to be an elder because I actually don't really want to live up to these qualifications that are given in Titus. 00:33:38.819 --> 00:33:39.960 I want to think, well, really? 00:33:40.720 --> 00:33:43.659 These are the things that we should all be aspiring to, aren't they? 00:33:43.720 --> 00:33:45.579 We should all want to be like this, right? 00:33:45.579 --> 00:33:53.179 But when you add in the qualifications and the responsibilities, it is a burden, isn't it? 00:33:53.240 --> 00:33:59.000 Do you know why Paul adds, you know, the burden he feels for all the churches to that list of sufferings? 00:33:59.019 --> 00:34:01.399 You can kind of see why, can't you? 00:34:01.919 --> 00:34:11.719 And so the sort of eldering in the church is really a willingness to suffer on behalf of the church in all sorts of different ways as you take responsibility for the life of the church. 00:34:11.719 --> 00:34:15.699 Now, there might be other things that you might want to put in addition. 00:34:16.699 --> 00:34:21.759 I mean, I know it sounds terrible, additional qualifications, but there are some things I think that basically Paul would probably be assuming. 00:34:22.919 --> 00:34:25.319 I think you want to assume that they are members of the church. 00:34:25.519 --> 00:34:28.099 I think you want to assume that they attend the church regularly. 00:34:28.859 --> 00:34:35.599 I want you, I think, to assume that they have the capacity to do the job and to perform the function of an elder. 00:34:35.599 --> 00:34:43.839 Because you might have somebody who is suited to be qualified in every way, but they simply don't have the capacity to do it for whatever reason that might be. 00:34:44.420 --> 00:34:52.500 I think also that there are the doctrinal commitments and vision of the church in the direction the church is going and wants to be. 00:34:52.579 --> 00:34:59.000 So, you know, you wouldn't appoint an elder who wasn't, didn't agree with Baptist theology in a Baptist church. 00:34:59.000 --> 00:35:03.960 That's just going to cause arguments in the eldership, which is going to be unhelpful. 00:35:05.420 --> 00:35:10.239 That doesn't mean that they wouldn't be suitably qualified to be an elder in a different denomination. 00:35:10.860 --> 00:35:13.320 I think you also need to be thinking about working well as a team. 00:35:13.420 --> 00:35:17.159 If these guys are going to be working together and they are elders, not just an elder, 00:35:17.719 --> 00:35:20.619 you also want to be thinking about how are these people going to work together? 00:35:20.760 --> 00:35:24.000 What kind of is the balance of that team going to be? 00:35:24.820 --> 00:35:26.860 And how are those things going to work together? 00:35:26.860 --> 00:35:32.760 So there you go. We have, don't we, some assumptions about plurality and complementarianism. 00:35:33.039 --> 00:35:38.880 We have the responsibilities of an elder outlined in all those different ways, those five ways that we thought about together. 00:35:38.980 --> 00:35:39.980 Two kinds of authority. 00:35:40.460 --> 00:35:42.559 The authority of counsel, not the authority of command. 00:35:43.240 --> 00:35:44.240 And those are the qualifications. 00:35:45.579 --> 00:35:46.640 And it is now half past seven. 00:35:46.900 --> 00:35:48.019 So let me close in prayer. 00:35:48.019 --> 00:35:49.460 Let me pray. 00:35:49.460 --> 00:36:11.579 Heavenly Father, we thank you for men in our lives and our church's lives who have put themselves out to shepherd well and to lead well. 00:36:11.579 --> 00:36:23.559 We thank you, Lord, that you bless us through leaders who take their responsibility seriously and who love and care well. 00:36:24.559 --> 00:36:26.860 And so we praise and thank you for them. 00:36:26.860 --> 00:36:37.099 And we pray for our leaders here and ask that for us, you might help us to live up to this high calling that you've given us. 00:36:37.960 --> 00:36:41.099 We pray that we might do that relying on you and not ourselves. 00:36:41.960 --> 00:36:47.019 We pray that we might do it gently and responsibly and carefully and thoughtfully. 00:36:47.019 --> 00:36:51.380 And we pray ultimately, Lord, that you might bless us. 00:36:51.719 --> 00:36:53.179 You might bless our church. 00:36:53.420 --> 00:37:01.300 You might bless our community and the ministry of the gospel here through leaders who lead well for the sake of your glory. 00:37:01.900 --> 00:37:09.860 In a sort of self-forgetful, laying down their own lives, servant-hearted leadership in the church. 00:37:09.860 --> 00:37:17.820 We pray that you might raise up more men like that in our church family for the sake of your glory. 00:37:18.440 --> 00:37:19.400 And in Jesus' name. 00:37:20.019 --> 00:37:20.380 Amen. 00:37:20.700 --> 00:37:21.039 Amen.