The purpose of this lesson: To generate greater insight and understanding into the complexity of providing leadership for a congregation that wishes to grow and develop. Expectations of those who lead congregations should be realistic! Spend most of the class time on the discussion questions. Avoid lecturing by encouraging comments and discussion. Do not allow one person to monopolize the class. Guide and constructively evaluate.
These are very complex times in which to be an elder! Providing leadership for most local congregations is a challenging task! The following does NOT suggest there are no joys in being an elder. It is presented for two reasons. (1) It is presented to invite members of the congregation to think. Make your expectations and demands doable by facing reality. Consider some simple examples. For elders, in any way to discipline any man or woman (no matter what the act) who is not a member or who has withdrawn membership can open the eldership to a civil suit that, under the right circumstances, can subject all the congregational leadership to significant damages. Would you care to decide the thorny issue of who is and is not a member? Should only members be included in the directory or in mailouts? Should membership include more than attendance? Or, if the elders or anyone on the congregations staff provides advice considered counseling, and the advice causes damage to the person or persons, again the offending party (in the appropriate circumstances) can be sued. Would you care to decide if this possibility should be insured or how much insurance should be carried? Some simple matters are not nearly as simple as people in the congregation think!
Stress that in a matter a person might consider simple, the leadership can face complications. While leaders should not drag their feet regarding decisions, persons who are not leaders always should realize that leaders may know things those persons could not know. Unnecessary criticism does not produce good leadership. Leaders should consider all angles before decidingcommonly there are no simple do over buttons.
(2) It is presented to challenge those who would be elders to have realistic expectations. Being an elder does not mean a person can do anything he wants in any way he wishes. The objective must be realistic! The purpose must be realistic! The method or means must be legal! Because a congregation is a church does not mean it can ignore the law. The time demands on the volunteer leaders are too great to be unnecessarily spent in IRS hearings or in courtrooms.
Elders need to be people who have the courage of a vibrant faith, but are realistic. They need to use time wisely.
American congregations exist in a complex society. Besides following godly values, besides determining and adopting godly principles, besides letting Jesus Christ teach us how to live for God, building codes must be followed, appropriate permits must be obtained, and applicable laws must be embraced. Gone are the days when people can do as they think is best because we are a church. In this current society, being a church can be a disadvantage. Many people do not regard any organized religion as a good thing in a communitywhich in itself provides us another challenge we must meet and meet well.
Stress elders must concern themselves with spiritual elements and non-spiritual elements of a decision. Blessed are the elders who can delegate, and blessed are the persons who can assist elders without considering themselves as de facto elders.
Consider ten challenges elders must face in the current American society that extend beyond the complexities of the spiritual challenges of being Christian.
Encourage Christians in the class to consider these ten things as they consider appointing a person to be an elder.
Again, these ten things do not begin to deal with the doctrinal disagreements or the divisions that exist in our back to the Bible movement.
Stress these deal with some of the non-spiritual realities. They in no way are more important than the spiritual realities.
If you are inclined to discount the validity of the ten things mentioned, consider just our multi-cultural society. What language will be the congregations dominant language? Will translation be allowed? Can there be a sign language ministry? What customs will prevail? Can there be exceptions? How should differing marriage relationships be counseled? How should differing parent-child relationships be addressed? How should perceived spiritual developmental needs be addressed? How should we go about providing classes for adults and children? What classes should be taught? What security should be provided? How should security be provided? How are the importance of cultural values interpreted? How do we recognize differing expressions of respect and dignity? How do we understand what is offensive?
Non-spiritual realities are important to providing good leadership in a congregation. Never should these realities become a substitute for spiritual realties. Both are important.
Do you realize that we have a Caucasian and a Laotian congregation meeting in the facilities? Is that what we should doshare facilities? Can there be two elderships and one facility? Do you realize we built the Hispanic building and in a large way support that ministry? Is that an independent outreach or a part of this congregation? Is that what we should doprovide separate facilities? In all of this, what does God want?
There are real considerations to be decided in what often seem to be simple considerations.
Do you understand that we have Laotian members, Hispanic members, African-American members, Native American members, and Caucasian members (and likely more) in one assembly on Sunday mornings? It is NOT, We will deal with that need when it happensit (thank God!) is happening!
It is usually harder to make a decision under the pressure of an existing situation than it is to decide before a crisis exists. One tends to be a factual decision, and one an emotional decision.
What are the joys of being an elder? The joy of witnessing spiritual growth in a person. The joy of seeing such generosity. The joy of seeing differing groups of Christians pursuing peace in Christ. The joy of seeing believers quietly meeting needs. The joy of seeing Christians volunteer. The joy of being a part of Gods work in a truly special way. The joy of being encouraged by some incredible people totally devoted to God. The joy of being part of a very unselfish group. The joy of witnessing the incredible happen. The joy of seeing someone deep in need gratefully rising above that needand then helping others. The joy of serving God in a very unique way. The joy of being part of something far bigger and more important than you are. The joy of seeing God working in so many ways at once. You should listen to your elders describe the joys!
Stress the joys of being an elder. Stress each Christian needs to accept responsibility for helping make leadership an enjoyable task.
Discussion Questions
These are discussion questions. Response is unpredictable. The students will learn more from their comments and interaction than through the teacher lecturing. The teacher should be a thoughtful guide who encourages thinking. Do not repress insights and understandingshelp students evaluate, but do not repress thought.
Link to Student Guide
Lesson 3