When you consider an all-time great in any field, it’s safe to assume that they didn’t do it on their own. They all had a coach or a mentor or a friend that helped them succeed. In sports, Michael Jordan had Phil Jackson, Tom Brady had Bill Belichick, and Smalls had Benny “The Jet” Rodriguez. Even in the academic and theological realm, Dietrich Bonhoeffer had Karl Barth; J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis had each other. All of these people probably would have been somewhat successful on their own, but they were able to do so much more through the guidance, advice, admonishment, and encouragement of someone else.
The same is true for our Christian life. God designed us to need each other. He gave us the church and its members to help us in our daily lives. And within the church, he gave us elders to lead and guide the church body, as well as you, the individual. Ephesians 4:11-12 says he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry. So as your elders we are called to help equip you for ministry in your context through guidance, advice, admonishment, and encouragement. To love and care for you as you grow in spiritual maturity. To shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight…willingly, as God would have you, not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock (1 Peter 5:2-3).
And part of the beauty of the church is that you, as a church member, elect your elders. You have an opportunity to do that this Sunday as we vote to affirm Robin Fulce as a new lay elder of our church. But what stands out when electing an elder versus hiring a coach or other types of leaders, is how the selection is made. Decisions on secular leaders are based on what that person has accomplished. How many games have they won? How much have they grown their business? What’s their net worth? Their success gives them credibility.
But with an elder, it’s the Lord’s calling and a man’s character that gives him credibility (see 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9). How dependent is he on the Lord? How well does He follow the Lord? And how well does He lead others to follow the Lord also? He obviously needs to be able to teach and a capable leader, but it is not solely based on his charisma or personality. Because Colossians 1:28-29 says Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me. It’s the Lord’s energy and the Lord’s power that matures and grows people. But He uses the elders to accomplish that purpose.
I consider it a great privilege that He has called me fulfill that role among you, with Jeromy, Josh, and Tye. And together, we believe that God is calling us to add another elder to help shepherd the flock of FBC Panhandle. So we hope that you will prayerfully keep all of these things in mind as you consider Robin as a new lay elder.
-Kendall
The same is true for our Christian life. God designed us to need each other. He gave us the church and its members to help us in our daily lives. And within the church, he gave us elders to lead and guide the church body, as well as you, the individual. Ephesians 4:11-12 says he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry. So as your elders we are called to help equip you for ministry in your context through guidance, advice, admonishment, and encouragement. To love and care for you as you grow in spiritual maturity. To shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight…willingly, as God would have you, not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock (1 Peter 5:2-3).
And part of the beauty of the church is that you, as a church member, elect your elders. You have an opportunity to do that this Sunday as we vote to affirm Robin Fulce as a new lay elder of our church. But what stands out when electing an elder versus hiring a coach or other types of leaders, is how the selection is made. Decisions on secular leaders are based on what that person has accomplished. How many games have they won? How much have they grown their business? What’s their net worth? Their success gives them credibility.
But with an elder, it’s the Lord’s calling and a man’s character that gives him credibility (see 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9). How dependent is he on the Lord? How well does He follow the Lord? And how well does He lead others to follow the Lord also? He obviously needs to be able to teach and a capable leader, but it is not solely based on his charisma or personality. Because Colossians 1:28-29 says Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me. It’s the Lord’s energy and the Lord’s power that matures and grows people. But He uses the elders to accomplish that purpose.
I consider it a great privilege that He has called me fulfill that role among you, with Jeromy, Josh, and Tye. And together, we believe that God is calling us to add another elder to help shepherd the flock of FBC Panhandle. So we hope that you will prayerfully keep all of these things in mind as you consider Robin as a new lay elder.
-Kendall
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