Elder
“If anyone aspires to the office of overseer he desires a noble task” – The Apostle Paul
It is a noble desire to want to shepherd and lead people who are following Jesus. It is also a huge responsibility. Listen to the words of Jesus’ brother James: Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.
Those who teach, lead, and shepherd people who are following Jesus bear a greater scrutiny than those whom they lead. And as we look around at our world, it is true that we hold our leaders to higher standards. We expect more of them. We desire them to act in ways different from us. We want them to handle themselves in a manner worthy of the leadership that has been placed on them.
Being an elder at Eternity or in any church is no different. The Bible presents twenty-one qualifications for elders and it is a very humbling list to say the least. One additional observation needs to be made and this is that God calls an elder. In much the same way that God calls someone and transforms them from a nomad into a newbie, He also calls and transforms someone from a disciple into an elder.
It is a miracle that God performs to prepare someone to lead followers of Jesus simply because there is absolutely no way that a man can do it without the transforming power of the Holy Spirit. If you believe that God is calling you to be an overseer of followers of Jesus, then the resources on this page will serve to prepare, transform, focus, sharpen, refine, cleanse, and strengthen you for the task.
Audio/Video
-Gospel Communication : Gospel Realisation : Gospel Incarnation (MP3) (Tim Keller)
-The Call To Lead The Church – Elders (Part 1) (Part 2) (Part 3) (Part 4) (Part 5) (Part 6) (Part 7) (MP3) (John MacArthur)
Books
-Biblical Eldership (Alexander Strauch)
-Recovering Biblical Manhood And Womanhood (John Piper/Wayne Grudem)
-Elders And Leaders (Gene Getz)
-Nine Marks Of A Healthy Church (Mark Dever)
-Preaching The Cross (Together For The Gospel)
-Brothers We Are Not Professionals (John Piper)
Articles