Dear Friends,
As I think most of you know, the Bible gives us a pattern for the oversight and governing of His church on earth. By God’s design, the church is to recognize and set apart godly men who can serve as overseers, pastors and shepherds for a local congregation. These men, who we call elders, must be men who have desire to serve in this way (1 Peter 5:1-5), who meet the qualifications for service as outlined in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1 and who are gifted by God to lead, feed, guard and guide God’s people.
In addition, it is by God’s design that churches are to set apart men who can serve as deacons. These are men who take on the responsibilities of practical service and mercy ministry in the church so that the elders can devote themselves to the spiritual needs of the body. These men must also meet the qualifications for deacons given to us in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1.
Throughout the year, the elders are regularly asking God to make it clear to us if there are men among us who we should consider for one of these two assignments. We are looking to see those men who are already demonstrating the attributes of an elder or a deacon.
And we routinely ask you, as members of Redeemer, to suggest to us the names of men you see who you believe we should be considering for service in either of these areas. Is there someone who has been a member at Redeemer for a year or more who you think God might be raising up as either and elder or a deacon? If so, we’d ask you to speak to that person first and ask him if he would be willing to have you pass his name along to us. Assuming he is, you can talk to any of the existing elders with your encouragement that we consider him for service.
Writing on the Gospel Coalition website a decade ago, Jason Helopoulos reflected on the life of a long time church elder who had recently died. Looking at what the scriptures teach and the life of his friend, he came up with a list of some characteristics that he observed that are hallmarks of a man who serves effectively in church leadership:
An effective elder, he said, is someone who is theological, but also fiercely practical. “He will know the scriptures and revel in the doctrine and theology of God’s holy Word. And at the same time, he will know how to apply those truths of Scripture to the lives he is privileged to serve. As this man ministers, those under his care do not receive platitudes. Neither do they need to have a PhD in theology to sort through his advice and counsel.
He will be someone who is a leader, but also a willing follower. “He doesn’t wear a sign that announces he is a leader. He isn’t loud and demands that people follow, they just do. His character and life in Christ almost demand it. However, he is also willing to follow the pastors and his fellow elders in the church. He does not always need to be in the front. It is not a matter ego with him.”
He will be a man who is both dignified and also wonderfully approachable. “An elder should have an air of dignity about him. He is serious about the Christian faith. He knows that life is short and he does not waste it. However, this air of dignity does not drive people from him, but rather compels people to him. All find him approachable. He is the type of man that one naturally feels as though they should sit at his feet, look up, and say, ‘Talk to me about the things of God.’”
A good elder is a listener, but also wisely vocal. “He is slow to speak and quick to listen. He has a discerning ear that can sort the important from the mundane… However, he is also willing to voice an opinion if it is needed. He is not silent. And when he speaks, men listen. When his voice is exercised, he does not dominate by force. Rather, he persuades through wisdom.”
A godly elder is courageous and also pastorally winsome. “He does not shy away from the hard discussions, the difficult conflicts, or the trying personalities of the church. He is a man that stands in the gap. But not with bravado. He is not a reluctant engager, but he is winsome. He isn’t looking for conflict, but he also won’t run from it.”
He is both dogmatic and flexible. “He is a rock on the non-negotiables. He will not be moved from the teaching of the Scriptures. However, he is flexible and able to concede points to others when he is proven wrong or the issue is not of extreme importance. He does not always demand or insist upon his own way.”
He’s a man who is gifted but also knowingly humble. “He is aware of how the Lord has gifted him for service in the church. In turn, he is also keenly aware of the gifts which he does not possess. He happily yields to other pastors and elders more gifted than him in whatever realm of service that may be.
He will see himself as an officer, but a servant first. “He recognizes that the office of elder is an office. He has a mantle upon his shoulders. There is responsibility and privilege. However, this is not a position by which he seeks to lord over others. He recognizes that the office of elder is first and foremost an office of service.
He loves both the church and the people who make up the church. “He loves the church as a body. This leads him to weigh-in on big decisions and think through methodological and practical issues in the church. They concern him. However, this is always driven by a love for men. He loves the church, because he loves its people.”
He is both loyal and a thoughtful exhorter. “He is not a fault finder. However, when it is necessary, he is willing to challenge his fellow elders appropriately. He does not follow blindly.”
We are blessed as a church to have men like this who serve us as elders. And as God raises up other men to serve in this way, we want to make sure they continue to be men who model these kinds of characteristics.
Please pray for the elders and deacons who serve us at Redeemer. And if you think there might be someone who should be considered for one of those roles, please let us know.
First things first. A big welcome to a brand new addition to our church family!
Congrats to Josue and Stephanie. Look for meal train info coming soon!
Guys: The November Redeemer Men’s Institute meets tomorrow night at 7:00. The topic this month is theological triage and how we can determine which theological issues are critical and which are less important. Whether you’ve attended either of our first two events or not, every man is welcome (that includes young men who are interested).
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Thanks to all of you who picked up ornaments on Sunday to bless the kids we’re serving in the Brinkley Heights neighborhood in Memphis. Our students will be traveling to Memphis to deliver the gifts and your cards to the children in mid December. So there’s still time for you to select one or more children’s names to support this effort.
Here’s what we’re asking you to do if you select a name.
- Pray for the child or children whose names you select during and after the Christmas season
- Take a Christmas card that we’ll provide for you and write a short note to the child wishing him or her a Merry Christmas and letting them know you are praying for them
- Write a check for $40 to cover the cost of the gifts we’ll be giving each child, which will include a copy of The Action Bible (a graphic novel edition of the Bible) along with something fun for each child
Your completed Christmas cards will need to be turned in no later than December 8.
This is a great project for you and your kids to do together. I hope you’ll take part in this special outreach during the Christmas season this year.
It won’t be long until it’s December. And the month kicks off with a First Friday game night for our Roots students.
December also means it’s Tea Time! The annual Women’s Christmas Tea is December 7.
We need to know you’re planning to attend. Click here (https://redeemerlr.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=df57aea0670b59c32464d5bab&id=cad47351d3&e=fbb0a4052b)to add your name to the list of attendees.
A week later, on December 14, we’re hosting what I’ve decided to call the Fama-Jama Christmas Party! (you see what I did there?).
Sign your family up for the fun! Click here (https://redeemerlr.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=df57aea0670b59c32464d5bab&id=bbc0d2065f&e=fbb0a4052b) to let us know you’re coming.
If you’re under 30-(ish), married or single, you’re invited to spend the first Saturday night of each month with the growing NxtGen group meeting together for fellowship and fun. Here’s the info.
Here’s the report of our donations and expenses for the month of October:
October General Fund Giving: $36,675.44
October Expenses: $45,368.32
Year to Date General Fund Giving: $359,870
Year to Date Expenses: $455,728
October Building Fund Giving $21,740
Year to Date Building Fund Giving $171,586
Balance on Hand on 10/31/24 $111,115
Balance invested in interest bearing account $203,072
As always, thanks for your generous giving to Redeemer. And if you have any questions, please feel free to contact me or Tim Friesen.
Where do you need to look when it feels like the spiritual battle is intensifying? As we’ll see in Revelation 14, that’s the time for a fresh look at the Lamb on Mt. Zion who is readying His own for the coming day of the Lord. We’ll explore this scene as we gather for worship this week.
See you in church.
Soli Deo Gloria!
Pastor Bob
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