Elders

A Healthy Church Member Is a Humble Follower

By Thabiti Anyabwile | 9Marks Journal: Authority: God's Good and Dangerous Gift | 09.30.2016

Leadership in the local church is established by God for the blessing of his people. However, for leadership to be effective, it needs to be encouraged and supported by the members of the church.

What is the Nature of Pastoral Authority? — Perspectives from a Methodist, a Presbyterian, and a Baptist

By B. Merkle, K. DeYoung, M. O'Reilly | 9Marks Journal: Authority: God's Good and Dangerous Gift | 09.26.2016

We asked three pastors from three different traditions to answer the question: What is the nature of a pastor’s authority?

Praying in Elders’ Meetings

By Greg Spraul | 9Marks Journal: The Church Praying | 06.21.2016

Elders often deal with difficult cases, so shouldn’t we pray for wisdom?

Book Review: Calvin’s Company of Pastors, by Scott Manetsch

Review by Paul Alexander | 05.31.2016

If you’re a faithful but discouraged pastor, this book is especially for you, because it proves you’re in good company.

4 Ways to Categorize Complaints in the Church

By Jonathan Rourke | 05.27.2016

Hearing and responding to complaints is in the pastor’s job description. But how can we do this better?

Is Meek Weak?—Pastoral Reflections on Gentleness

By Aaron Menikoff | 05.23.2016

The pastor who feels the need to power his church to greatness through the exercise of his own gifts underestimates the power of the gospel.

Mailbag #38: How to Shepherd Every Member; Shepherding by the “Parish Model”; What’s the “Church” in Matthew 18?

By Jonathan Leeman | 05.20.2016

— How can the elders of a large church ensure every member is both known and cared for? — We’d like to divide our church members by families and individuals and then designate them to a particular elder. What do you think of this approach? — In Matthew 18, what does Jesus mean when he says “tell it to the church”?

Mailbag #37: Congregationalism in China; A Defense of Building Bigger Buildings; Notifying the Recently Disciplined; Supporting a Widow Who Has Left the Church

By Jonathan Leeman | 05.10.2016

— How can something like congregationalism work in China, with its networks of related house churches? — The leaders at my church want to build a bigger building, yet it seems to me a waste of money. What should I do? — After someone has been disciplined for non-attendance, should the church notify the person as a final act of congregational care? — Twenty years ago, our church made a commitment to financially support our former pastor’s widow. She has since refused to attend our church. What should I do?

Book Review: Gospel Eldership, by Robert Thune

Review by Phil Newton | 05.06.2016

Thune has put together a series of essays, exercises, and questions for aspiring elders to consider before embracing the office of elder.

Mailbag #36: When Nominating Elders May Cause Disunity; Your 9 Marks Aren’t Enough; A Difficult Pastoral Situation

By Jonathan Leeman | 05.02.2016

— Should I move forward with installing a plurality of elders, even if the decision causes disunity in the church? — I agree with your nine marks—but seriously, where are the marks of love and prayer and missions? — The grandmother of an unwed and pregnant teenager wants to have her granddaughter’s baby shower at the church. How should I think through this?

Mailbag #35: Excommunicating a Non-Christian; Elders for Church Plants; Membership Interview

By Jonathan Leeman | 04.22.2016

— A church member denies the faith; is the proper response excommunication? — In a church plant, how long you should wait to install the first elders? — What questions should you ask during a membership interview? And what should you do if something like a past divorce comes up?

Not Satisfied with our Shepherding, Yet—But Making Some Progress

By Bob Johnson | 04.18.2016

We are still not satisfied with our shepherding, but we are grateful for the progress that we are making.

Reverse Mailbag: What Counsel Would You Give?

By Jonathan Leeman | 04.01.2016

Will you help us help this pastor?

20 Quotes from Jonathan Leeman’s New Book on Elder-Led Congregationalism

By Matt Smethurst | 03.28.2016

Here are 20 quotes from Jonathan Leeman’s new book, Understanding the Congregation’s Authority.

Book Review: The Imperfect Pastor, by Zack Eswine

Review by Garrett Kell | 03.07.2016

Whether you’re a young pastor, a seasoned pastor, a broken pastor, or a pastor’s wife, you should add this book to your must-read list.