Leadership and Elder Training
This coming Sunday, we're planning on nominating two men to serve our congregation as elders. I'm excited because both of them come from a different culture (one is Zulu, the other a lawyer). I am really excited and thankful to God for these men; the current elders desperately need help and I am sure these men will be very fruitful.
Anyway, I wanted to point out three resources that have been helpful to me in terms of training elders:
First, The Elder and His Work by David Dickson. This is a 19th work updated by George Kennedy McFarland and Philip Ryken. It's really quite good and very practical (though be forewarned: it contains Presbyterianism).
Second, The Ordained Servant is a journal put out by the OPC to provide resources for training elders and deacons. I'm not sure if they're still publishing it, but they've to back issues through 2005 online for free! Peter de Jong's article Taking Heed to the Flock: A Study of the Principles and Practice of Family Visitation is particularly challenging, more as a reminder of our duty than as an exact plan to be followed.
Finally, and more briefly, check out this one page outline of leadership expectations put together for the Edge Network (a part of The Crowded House ). I'm using a modified version of it with a our men's leadership group tomorrow. Very good stuff.
Ordained Servent is still published and can be found here http://www.opc.org/ on the OPC homepage.
Posted by: Wayne Roberts | Mar 13, 2009 3:32:18 PM
Thanks for the link to the de Jong article Michael. I read it and discovered it is the first of a ten part series. I linked to the other articles here.
Posted by: James Grant | Mar 13, 2009 11:21:12 PM
Sorry, it didn't take the html:
http://www.inlightofthegospel.org/?p=4288
Posted by: James Grant | Mar 13, 2009 11:22:05 PM
Good site. Following it with interest.
Posted by: Ian Hall | Mar 14, 2009 1:23:42 AM
I have to attest, these two men of God are an answer to prayer. Men that I would model my life after. Their testimonies are moving, which only gives glory to our great God and King. Hallelujah, praise the Lord!
Posted by: TW | Mar 15, 2009 7:20:14 PM