Spiritual Growth Team - The Elders

1. What are 'elders'?

Acts 14:23
Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting, committed them to the Lord, in whom they had put their trust.

1 Peter 5:1-4
To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder, a witness of Christ's sufferings and one who also will share in the glory to be revealed: Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, serving as overseers-not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.

Acts 6:2-4
The Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, "It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. Brothers, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word."

In the early church 'elders' were more like our pastors of today, and 'deacons' were similar to elders or church council members of today. The elders of our day help the pastor oversee the spiritual health of the congregation.

2. The elders are ready to help you.

As the spiritual leaders in the congregation, the elders will make use of the means of grace -- the gospel in God's Word and in the Sacraments -- to strengthen their own faith so they can serve your spiritual needs. They will then encourage you to see the importance of the means of grace in your own life.

Romans 10:17
Faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.

Matthew 26:26-28
While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, "Take and eat; this is my body." Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins."

Luke 22:19
"This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me."

Romans 6:3-4
Don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.

3. The elders help you...

...by encouraging your spiritual growth through regular worship and Bible class attendance

John 8:31
Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples."

Luke 11:28
"Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it."

2 Timothy 3:14-17
Continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

2 Peter 3:18
Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

...by giving you opportunities to reflect your thanks to God and your love for him through worship

Psalm 122:1
I rejoiced with those who said to me,
"Let us go to the house of the LORD."

Psalm 150:1
Praise the LORD.
Praise God in his sanctuary;
praise him in his mighty heavens.

Hebrews 10:24-25
Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another-and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

Colossians 3:16
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.

...by visiting on a regular basis

1 Peter 5:1-2
To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder, a witness of Christ's sufferings and one who also will share in the glory to be revealed: Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, serving as overseers.

...by visiting after prolonged absences to see if anything is wrong and to see if we can assist and encourage in any way

John 10:27
"My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me."

John 15:4-5
"Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing."

Luke 22:19
"This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me."

The elders of Living Word are...
Jim Kipp
Dan Koelpin
Tom Neitzel

If you have any comments or suggestions about what Living Word is doing or any ideas of where we should be going regarding our mission and vision, please contact an elder or Pastor Borgwardt.