Pastor’s Corner October 2008

The following was published in our monthly newsletter, the Redeemer Report.

During the Sunday School hour on October 19, we will have a congregational meeting to vote on new candidates for the offices of elder and deacon. All voting members should plan to attend this important meeting.

The effectiveness of Presbyterian governance depends on qualified men occupying the ordained offices of the church- elder and deacon.

The office of deacon was originated in the New Testament with Acts 6:1-6 outlining the initiation of this important position in the church. The deacon’s responsibilities are listed in Acts 6 and his qualifications in
I Timothy 3:8-13. Deacons minister largely to the physical (mercy) needs of the church and, in our day, they oversee the physical property also.

The word “presbyterian” is based on the Greek word for “elder” which is presbuteros. The term “elder” is used synonymously with “overseer” and “bishop” in the New Testament. Redeemer is an elder-led church. In Scripture, we find both teaching and ruling elders. The teaching elder or pastor is one who labors in the study of God’s Word and prayer (Acts 6:4; I Jn. 5:17, Eph. 4:11). Ruling elders are elected to represent and serve local congregations (Acts 20:28; I Tim. 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9). Along with pastors, they are responsible for the spiritual oversight of the church. They are required to govern the church by leading in worship and ministry, receiving members, giving admonition or rebuke, and the general promotion of the spiritual interests of the congregation. Ruling and Teaching elders minister in parity with each having an equal vote on the Session. In this sense, we are not a “one-man gang” type of church with the Pastor being the CEO or boss.

For those who come from congregationally governed churches, you may notice we do not have many congregational votes in a Presbyterian church. Voting on elders and deacons is one occasion when we do, and it’s important.

After our next Session meeting, I will introduce you to the candidates in an all-church email. Historically, God has raised up gifted men to serve us in these offices. I am humbled by our current Session’s devotion and look forward to these new brothers joining the service of leadership at Redeemer. For now, read this important passage from 1Timothy and pray that God blesses our vote on October 19.
1 Timothy 3:1 The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. 2 Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3 not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. 4 He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, 5 for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God’s church? 6 He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. 7 Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil. 8 Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain. 9 They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. 10 And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless. 11 Their wives likewise must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things. 12 Let deacons each be the husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households well. 13 For those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.

In the Lamb,
Pastor Tony Felich