9Marks Journal: Elders (Part 2) (13期：教会长老（下）)

This fall I read Timothy Laniak’s book Shepherds After My Own Heart, which provides an excellent biblical theology of the shepherding metaphor throughout Scripture (my review of the book in this journal. While reading, I kept thinking that he needed to turn it into a study guide for elders. I even thought about emailing Professor Laniak—whom I don’t know—with my stellar suggestion.

Paul Alexander made this email unnecessary. Gladly stealing the fruit of Laniak’s careful study, Pastor Alexander translated Laniak’s book into four separate lessons for the elders of his own church, which we reproduce here for you. Alexander’s lessons were not written with a web audience in mind. They are long and full of Scripture. Pastor, let me recommend printing them out, and reading them meditatively. Then send them to your fellow elders. They describe the heart of what God has called all of you to be.

As long as we’re talking about training elders, take a look at what First Presbyterian in Jackson does, as well as what Bill Mounce has to offer.

Matt Schmucker and the other elders at Capitol Hill Baptist offer several reflections on living and surviving as an elder amidst the many difficulties of the work. Finally, Thabiti Anyabwile’s article on following leaders, I believe, is worth cutting and pasting into one of your church newsletters. It will serve you, the congregation, and the glory of God. You’ll see what I mean.

这个秋天，我读了提摩太·拉尼亚克的书：《合我心意的牧者》（Shepherds After My Own Heart），这本书提供贯穿整本圣经的关于牧人之隐喻的圣经神学（我对此书的书评在下面的链接中）。当我读此书时，我一直在想，他应该写一本给长老的指导手册。我甚至打算给拉尼亚克教授写电子邮件，告诉他这个很棒的提议——其实我不认识他。

亚保罗帮助我省下这个工夫。他从拉尼亚克细致的研究中得到帮助，并改写里面的内容，将其分为四个部分给自己教会的长老们学习。而我则将这些课程收编进期刊中。亚历山大的课程对象并非网络受众。里面的内容很长，而且包含很多圣经经文。牧者们，我推荐你们把这些课程打印出来，带着思考来阅读他们，然后与你的长老们分享。它们描述了神所呼召的长老们应有样式的核心意义。

舒马特和其他国会山浸信会的长老们给大家一些提醒，面对事奉的许多困难挑战，如何活出一个长老应有的样式。最后我相信，安泰博关于“跟随长老”的文章值得被贴在教会的公告板上。它会帮助你和你的会众，并且荣耀神。当你真的这么做时，就会理解我的意思。