Topic: Elder preparation

Speaker: Joe Bosch

Stupendous breakfast volunteer: Michelle Englefield

The call of God and our response

• Jeremiah 1: 5-10
• Exodus 3:11
• The great commission - Mathew 4: 18 -20

Preparation for the task

• Recognizing our God given gifts
• Corinthians 12: 1 – 13
• Using our gifts
• Will all men be office bearers?
• Who/what is our teacher
• How does worldly activity determine our response in preparation for office?
• Our lifestyle is determined by:
  • Our commitment to the Lord
  • Our friends
  • Our entertainment
  • Our families
  • Our heart
• 1 Timothy 3: 1 – 7
• Qualification of office bearers – see also preparation as the two overlap.
• Review of Rev. Aasman's presentation

Practical application

• What goes on in that council/consistory room – What does our Church order say.
• How do we choose office bearers?
• The multifaceted task of an office bearer.
• Preparation prior to the home visit:
  • prayer
  • Discussion
  • Who are you visiting?
  • Entering the home
• Who likes home visits?

The visit

• Who goes and why
• How, what, when, where and why
• Who is or should be in attendance
• Pleasantries
• Explanation, responsibility and purpose of home visit (especially if children are present)
• Do's and don'ts of a home visit – bored, clock watchers etc.
• Nothings
• Listen to what is being said
• Types of questions:
  • a brief role play
  • Difficulty of questions
  • Prayer and closing
• Maintaining contact

Some reference material available

• The Elders handbook, a practical Guide for Church Leaders – Berghoef and DeKoster
• With a Shepherd's Heart. Reclaiming the Patoral Office of Elder – John R. Sittema
• Quick Scripture References for Counselling – John Kruis
• Recovering Catechism, The Art of Equipping Covenant Children – Donald VanDyken
• The Christian Ministry – Charles Bridges
• Pastoral Theology, The Pastor in the Various Duties of his office – Thomas Murphy
• The Reformed Pastor – Richard Baxter
• Shepherding the Flock – P.Y. DeJong
• Biblical Eldership – Alexander Strauch
• Church leadership Training Course Video – Dr. N. Kloosterman

Workshop

A series of situations that elders have and may face during the course of their term in office.

A review of the exercises and questions or discussion if time permits.

Exercise – Using scriptural knowledge and references please consider the following scenarios.

1. During the course of the home visit you discover that Joe does not pray with his family and has not encouraged anyone to take his place. What implications does that have for the family and how would you council this brother to take an active role in leading?
2. You notice upon entering a home that J & W have a rather large CD collection, they drive fancy vehicles and overall appear to have been blessed financially. Yet they contribute very little to the church. How would you approach this subject?
3. H and A are teenage children of J & W. By all appearances it seems to be a very cohesive family unit but you've heard "rumors" that not is all as it seems. You've heard that H & A who are not professed members love the bar scene, critise their parents as being old fashioned and really do not lead lives pleasing to God. On a home visit, what, if anything would you do?
4. This evening you need to make a special visit that you were not counting on. J & W have just called you and told you that their son, who is not a professing member, informed them that he no longer believed in the Lord and never really did. He does not intend to return to church. J & W are devastated and need your advice.
5. On a home visit, W, H and A have asked you for advice about J. J has been depressed for some time and is unwilling to accept it. J feels that with prayer alone he should be able to overcome this inconvenience. It is abundantly clear that J cannot. What advice can you give and are there any outside resources that could be used?
6. W feels as if their in a real rut. Having done profession of faith about a year ago they feel that they may have acted to quickly. Their old habits are still there (bar hopping, inappropriate movies and conduct etc.) Can you help W to get out of this rut?
7. J is dying and is terrified about going to hell. J has been a faithful church goer and believes in the forgiving grace of God through His Son Jesus Christ. J is however convinced that he does not deserve and will not receive this forgiveness. What theological issues and pastoral concerns need to be addressed? (Adapted from: With a Shepherd's Heart, page 254.)
8. Unbeknownst to J & W, A is a professed member, has been dating a person outside the fellowship of the Church. He has had some Christian upbringing but does not go to any church. A tells you that she's in love and intends to marry this man. What implications does/could this have and what would be your approach?