Greetings,
According to the New Testament, elders are responsible for leadership and oversight of the local church. The character qualities of an elder is something that the Lord has made pretty clear in Scripture so we can be sure that the leadership of the church is in the hands of people with the Lord’s best interests in mind.
“Elders lead the church [1 Tim 5:17; Titus 1:7; 1 Peter 5:1–2], teach and preach the Word [1 Timothy 3:2; 2 Timothy 4:2; Titus 1:9], protect the church from false teachers [Acts 20:17, 28–31], exhort and admonish the saints in sound doctrine [1 Timothy 4:13; 2 Timothy 3:13–17; Titus 1:9], visit the sick and pray [James 5:14; Acts 6:4], and judge doctrinal issues [Acts 15:6]. In biblical terminology, elders shepherd, oversee, lead, and care for the local church” -Alexander Strauch in his book Biblical Eldership
At Way of Life, elders are shepherds; they protect and minister to the congregation in ways that are often unseen or unnoticed. I am so grateful for our fellowship’s reverence for the position of elder. We have put together a comprehensive selection process that values the calling of an elder. Way of Life deeply values the proclamation of the Word of God, honest worship, and the unified edification of His people; and since we value these so highly, it is foundational that we place people in the position of elder that will uphold the principles valued in this fellowship.
I have the privilege of announcing the appointment of Tim Edelblute as an elder at Way of Life beginning in January. The elders have spent the last several months praying about bringing Tim and Leslie onto the leadership of Way of Life and we wholeheartedly believe that the Lord is behind this. I am excited for the future of this fellowship as the Lord continues to bless us with tremendous leadership and godly people who are not satisfied with just warming a seat on Sunday mornings.
I feel like an old fashioned pastor in a wedding saying this, but.... if you have any concerns with Tim as an elder, please speak now or forever hold your peace. You may be thinking… we have never had this option before, and you are right. We have really deepened our commitment to follow the Scriptures with bringing on elders. In the coming years we will be following a process of developing and bringing on new leaders, and I hope that each of you feels comfortable in coming to me when you see any concerns. I encourage you all to get to know our elders and their wives. They are some really great people!
Love ya,
At Way of Life, elders are shepherds; they protect and minister to the congregation in ways that are often unseen or unnoticed. I am so grateful for our fellowship’s reverence for the position of elder. We have put together a comprehensive selection process that values the calling of an elder. Way of Life deeply values the proclamation of the Word of God, honest worship, and the unified edification of His people; and since we value these so highly, it is foundational that we place people in the position of elder that will uphold the principles valued in this fellowship.
I have the privilege of announcing the appointment of Tim Edelblute as an elder at Way of Life beginning in January. The elders have spent the last several months praying about bringing Tim and Leslie onto the leadership of Way of Life and we wholeheartedly believe that the Lord is behind this. I am excited for the future of this fellowship as the Lord continues to bless us with tremendous leadership and godly people who are not satisfied with just warming a seat on Sunday mornings.
I feel like an old fashioned pastor in a wedding saying this, but.... if you have any concerns with Tim as an elder, please speak now or forever hold your peace. You may be thinking… we have never had this option before, and you are right. We have really deepened our commitment to follow the Scriptures with bringing on elders. In the coming years we will be following a process of developing and bringing on new leaders, and I hope that each of you feels comfortable in coming to me when you see any concerns. I encourage you all to get to know our elders and their wives. They are some really great people!
Love ya,
Chris
