Leader: Dear Lord, as we celebrate the sanctity of life,

People: Give us the child-like faith to accept that our world was created a safe and beautiful place.

Leader: As we observe how little human life is often valued,

People: Make us mindful that we are made in your image, that each one is precious in your sight.

Leader: Where abuse has ravaged victims.

People: May we embrace the wounded, comfort them with love and offer encouragement and restoration.

Leader: Where there is wanton destruction of lives,

People: Dear God, use your people to intervene and serve as your healing agents.

Leader: To those who expect the birth of a child,

People: Grant that they may not feel burdened, but instead joyfully anticipate the miracle of life.

Leader: For those whose prayers for conception have as yet been unanswered,

People: May they know the grace and peace that come from trusting in your wisdom and Lordship.

Leader: We pray especially for children, both born and unborn.

People: May we never stand idly by when innocent lives are threatened, but show your compassion and proclaim your love.

Leader: As we pray for restoration of family,

People: Grant wisdom and patience to parents. May we help them bring their children to Jesus, to be touched and blessed by Him.

All: O Lord, who has numbered the hairs on our heads, guide us to proclaim that life is sacred and our world belongs to you. Amen.

Church Leadership
Elders

Leadership Models

1. Episcopal Form

2. Presbyterian Form

3. Congregational Rule

4. Independent Rule

3 offices

1. Apostle

2. Elder

3. Deacon

Terms used

1. Elder - presbiterio an older man, describing a man dignity and status

2. Bishop – episkopoi (overseer) Their function and duty to rule and manage

Terms used
3. Shepherd – poimaino (Pastor) Describes the function
to tend, take care of and feed the sheep

These terms are used synonymously
Titus 1:5-7

1 Peter 5:1-3

Acts 20:17-30

Qualifications Titus 1:5-8; 1Timothy 3:1-7

1. Gender Qualification
2. Moral Qualification
3. Mental Qualification
4. Ministry Qualification
5. Personal Qualification
6. Spiritual Qualification
7. Family Qualification
8. Public Qualification

Duties

Elders are called to Manage and Shepherd

Manage (Oversight)Acts 28:28

Shepherd (Pastor) Acts 20:28b -30

Duties

Elders are called to Manage and Shepherd

Manage (Oversight)Acts 28:28

Shepherd (Pastor) Acts 20:28b -30

Specific Duties

1. Teach Biblical Truth (Galatains 6:6; 1 Timothy 3:2; 5:17)

Titus 1:9
He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.

2. Model Christlikeness
(1Timothy 3:2, 4:12; Titus 1:6, 1Thessalonians 2:10-12)

1 Peter 5:2-3
…. 3 not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock.

3. Maintain doctrinal purity

Titus 1:9
He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.

4. Protect the sheep
Acts 20:29-31

5. Discipline unruly believers(Galatians 6:1)

1 Thessalonians 5:12
We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you,

6. Oversee financial and business matters
(2Thessalonians 3:10-12; Acts 15:6)

Acts 11:29-30
So the disciples determined, everyone according to his ability, to send relief to the brothers living in Judea. And they did so, sending it to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul.

7. Praying for those who are ill

James 5:13-15

Humility Acts 20:19

Love the Sheep Philippians 1:8;

1 Thessalonians 2:7-8

Plurality of Elders

1Peter 5:1-2; Acts 20:17; Titus 1:5

Acts 14:23
And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed.

Advantage of the Eldership model

Accountability
Acts 20:30

Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock ……….

It most closely reflects the biblical model

Honor
1 Thessalonians 5:12-13
We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, 13 and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves.

Follow their example

Hebrews 13:7
Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith.

1 Corinthians 11:1

Submit to their leadership

Hebrews 13:17
Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.

Submit to their leadership

Prayer for your leaders

Hebrews 13:18
Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a clear conscience, desiring to act honorably in all things.