What We're Looking For in An Elder--Someone Who's "Elderly"
IV. We Are Looking for Men Who Are Already
Recognized as "Elderly"
- We want men who are known, because they attend.
- We want men who are known as a person of love.
- We want men who are known as a person of wisdom and knowledge and confidence
- Discipling others, serving faithfully.
- Putting the church’s interests above his own.
- All this makes you a center of gravity in the church. Not a loyal opposition center-of-gravity, but a person whom the people of this church are already gravitating to as a pastoral figure.
- We want to say, “How could we not recognize this person as an elder?”
Just wondering, since I have seen many “Elderly Elders” that are in their early 30’s. How are you defining “Elderly?” As you know, a 50 year old who is a newer believer can posses less spiritual maturity than a 20 year old who has been in the faith for a couple years.
Thanks
Posted by: Just wondering | Nov 18, 2008 2:06:54 PM
It seems to me that the definition of "elderly-ness" that Greg is going for here is age-blind, which is a good thing. Not that there isn't great value in having older, wiser men among the local church's eldership, of course.
Rae Whitlock
(30-year-old) Elder @ Grace Central Presbyterian Church
Columbus, OH
Posted by: Rae Whitlock | Nov 20, 2008 10:54:01 AM