Our purpose is to promote healthy, Christ centered, biblically ordered, family integrated churches. One of the critical components of this is equipping elders because a student becomes like his teacher (Luke 6:40) and the church will become like the elders who lead it.
A critical need
One of the greatest needs in the church today is the supply of qualified elders. When I ask leaders what their churches need most, four out of five say, “qualified elders.” Everywhere I go, this is the cry.
In the same way that healthy families spring from healthy fathers and mothers, healthy churches are the result of godly elders. The appointment of godly elders is critical because they have a reforming influence on the church, for they “set in order the things that are lacking” (Titus 1:5).
A new generation of church reformers
The ultimate purpose of this elder discipleship program is to contribute to a rising generation of gospel centered leaders who will take care of the church of God – God’s way. For, without qualified, gospel centered leaders, how will we have gospel centered, God pleasing churches?
A local opportunity for your church
This program is designed to be used in your own church, by gathering a group of men who desire to grow in this area. It is a strategically packaged course that exposes participants to the biblical directives for church life.
Not a certification program
This course is not meant to be an elder certification course. We do not believe that elders can be certified by educational experiences. Nor do we believe that a man can be qualified simply by receiving theological degrees. Although these kinds of experiences may serve a valuable purpose for equipping, they are not adequate in themselves. In light of this, courses and certifications cannot be allowed to replace the biblically mandated requirements for the appointment of elders. This is why we are not presenting this as a certification program. Participation in this course of study will help participants develop a deeper understanding of doctrine and a greater ability to defend the faith and shepherd the flock.
The experience
- Local study groups
- Local church application
- Reading important books on church life
- Three to four hours of reading per week
- Study of critical texts on matters of church leadership
- A monthly online meeting with the elders of Hope Baptist
- Participation in the online collaborative study center
- Preaching in Wake Forest, NC
- Memorization of four key texts on the church, eldership and leadership
Each quarter, we will memorize a critical text
a. 2 Timothy 4:1-8, Preach the Word
b. 1 Timothy 3:1-13, Elders and Deacons
c. Isaiah 58:13-14, The Sabbath
d. Ephesians 5:22-33, The Bride of Christ
Establish study groups poised for action
We pray that study groups will be formed and that the principles will be applied in real church life in order to “take care of the church of God” (1 Timothy 3:5). This should not be used simply as an academic exercise but as a resource to stimulate fruitful service within the local church.
Local church application
Application in the local church is the focal point of our study. The books we will read and the discussions we will have are meant to be applied in your local church setting. Elder training without a local church context falls short of the biblical purpose.
The enormous importance of this is shown in Paul’s words to the elders of the church of Ephesus on the beach of Miletus, when he said, ‘Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood” (Acts 20:28). This shows us the value of the actual work of an elder. It is valuable because a blood bought people are a valuable people.
A diverse study program
Our goal is to sharpen “faithful men who will be able to teach others “(2 Timothy 2:2) and who have a God given desire to care for the church of God by guarding, feeding, and leading. We believe that the course of study can work to prepare men to be “vigilant and sober”, devotedly and tenderly caring for the church of God. It can also help to bolster men in their qualifications by acquiring sound doctrine to equip them to be able to exhort and convict.
A study of pivotal categories for church life
We will study broad categories of Bible doctrine including pastoral care, preaching, hermeneutics, missions, evangelism, apologetics, and history. We have selected what we believe are some of the best books on these subjects in order to give a balanced view of church life and so that these doctrines can be put into practice. The doctrine being taught will generally be suitable for both Presbyterians and Baptists and the focus will be on practical matters of shepherding.
A study of critical texts for church leaders
Participants will study specific scripture passages that speak to church leadership. These passages expose the commands, character studies, patterns, hardships, challenges and opportunities that God uses to refine leaders.
These texts will assist in helping them grapple with the challenges, temptations, reversals and disappointments that may be theirs, as well as show them that God spoke directly about the problems of leadership. In the midst of pressures like these, it is important that elders are clear in their calling, “not as pleasing men” (I Thessalonians 2:4).
Preparation for hardship and trials
The work of an Elder is often an intense form of spiritual warfare. It can include a life of rejection, betrayal, attack, loneliness, ostracism, and misunderstanding. It can precipitate banishment or even death as it did with many of God’s servants in scripture. As Jesus said, "I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves" (Matthew 10:16). This means that God’s servants may be maimed, paralyzed, disabled, and some "eaten alive".
At the same time, they must remain good shepherds like Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy who even in the midst of intense pressure they were “gentle… just as a nursing mother cherishes her own children” (I Thessalonians 2:7). They never lost their love for the flock of God and were able to say, “For you are our glory and joy” (I Thessalonians 2:20).
Selected students will study these important texts, and many others, and then present to the group critical insights they gained. These presentations will be scheduled once per month.
Conversation with experienced elders around the nation
Once a month, this program provides an opportunity to meet online with the elders at Hope Baptist Church. These online sessions will feature participant viewing of the content for the meeting, and the ability to submit questions.
Input from other leaders around the nation
From time to time we will schedule experienced elders to speak to us from around the nation. These will be men who have a particular expertise and are able to broaden the discussion. They will be present online to explain biblical truth regarding various aspects of church life.
Online collaborative study center
We will be providing a private online discussion forum for participants to post their comments and insights for the benefit of all. Book reports, position papers, and commentary information will be posted online by participants in order to establish a collaborative record of the findings of the group. It will also serve as a forum for discussion and debate in addition to connecting participants who wish to have further discussion.
Syllabus for weekly study will be provided
A weekly group study syllabus will be provided to guide the local group meetings. We suggest that participants should organize a weekly study group which would meet to pray and discuss the readings. These gatherings could be composed of existing elders, aspiring elders, and even younger men who are simply in the midst of their manhood training.
Weekly assignment discussion board
Participants will have access to a weekly assignment discussion board. This will allow for collaboration on the various matters of discussion on the weekly study schedule.
Opportunities to preach in Wake Forest
Near the end of the course of study (Summer and Fall) students will be invited to Wake Forest to preach a message before their peers. We will evaluate and analyze the messages. Students will be required to present a full manuscript of the message one month before the meetings. This opportunity will be offered for an extra charge (TBA).
Who may participate?
There are two categories of participants, each with a different level of participation.
First, full participation will be granted to existing elders, aspiring elders, and future elders in training.
The second category includes those who desire to use the course to increase their own understanding of the church, but are not necessarily moving toward eldership. This would include young men who want to know how they can love the church and prepare themselves for service which may even include eldership in the future. It may also include families who want to engage in a crash course on the local church. Those in the second category will not be able to comment in the online discussion boards (but could be present for the monthly online meeting as silent participants).
Forged in the furnace of church life
Elders are forged by the interplay of a humble heart, the instruction of the Word of God, and the work of the Spirit of God. This comes through the relationships and situations that present themselves while in the midst of “taking care” of the church of God.
This is why participating in a course of study only serves as a foundation for understanding the indispensable issues of church life. It would be a blessing if those who complete this program would be ready to be installed as elders in local churches. However, completing this course is not the same as meeting the biblical qualifications, though it may help.
How are elders qualified?
Elders are appointed by the Holy Spirit who grants various character qualities, skills, personal desires and particular gifts that are defined in scripture (1 Timothy 3; Titus 1; Acts 20). Finally, they are appointed through the moving of the Holy Spirit in people’s hearts by giving them confidence to affirm the elders.
Elders indeed need to be theologically competent and able to apply scripture in church life. But, they need more than that. Biblical elders are also marked by their genuine love for Christ, sacrifice for His church, godly character, shepherding their own homes, their ability to defend the church with sound doctrine, energy for the work, practical experience, relational integrity, and affirmation of the flock.
Knowledge and administrative competence are incomplete
Knowledge is important because the doctrine of the church needs to be defended. However, knowledge alone is incomplete, for competence in theological knowledge does not make or qualify an elder.
Gaining practical tools and techniques are incomplete; administrative competence is inadequate; business acumen is insufficient. We must know and follow the patterns of scripture for church life, however we also recognize that church life is more than mechanically operating a program or plugging in a tool.
Elder qualifications are qualities for all believers
The qualifications for the office of elder are spelled out in 1 Timothy 3:2-7 and Titus 1:6-9. While the qualifications for elder may seem daunting, they simply explain authentic Christian living. Even though it is true that elders must be qualified according to scripture or they cannot serve, it is also important to remember that scripture makes it clear that every believer is charged to fulfill many of these qualifications. The qualifications are minimum requirements.
Involvement of young men
Because elder qualifications are qualities for all believers, we encourage you to involve young men in your church for their own preparation to be faithful church members throughout their lives. If they understand what God has called the church to be and do, and if they know in what ways men are responsible to bring these things about, they will be better equipped to spend their lives loving the church as Christ loved her.
We encourage you to involve your whole family in various aspects of these studies. Not only are we equipping men to be future elders, but we are also equipping our daughters to be the wives of future elders. Further, if our families understand the callings of the church, they will be better church members in the future.
This is why we encourage participants to consider doing the scripture memory as a family and to share what they are learning with their wives and children.
Cost
The cost per person is $395.00 per year. Books must be purchased independently.
We will be running this same elder discipleship program at Hope Baptist Church in Wake Forest North Carolina. We will be having weekly meetings following the same outline above.
There are two ways you would be able to participate in the program in Wake Forest.
- Commuting to Wake Forest:
If you live near enough to Wake Forest, you are welcome to travel to our meetings on a weekly basis. This is only acceptable if you can commit to full participation in the meetings in Wake Forest.
- Living in the Wake Forest area:
We welcome you to come and live in Wake Forest to get the full measure of the experience. This would include weekly meetings with the elders of Hope Baptist, and full participation in the life of the church. You would be required to attend the main meetings of the church, which include: Sunday activities, Tuesday men’s bible study, and Wednesday evening prayer. We would also require that you participate in the special events and conferences related to the church.
Preparation
Read Jonathan Edwards, “Charity and Its Fruits” and come to the first meeting with a two page report on the book ready to discuss it Tuesday evening December 29 from 7:00-9:00