There is nothing I love more than serving with the men who God has placed over me. Yes, I am an elder at NCC, but I consider the men who I serve with to be my elders. They lead me, they shepherd me, they rebuke me and feed me. I mean that of each one of them.

You might ask, “What prompted you to write this?” We had a great meeting this morning and that is not a rare occasion. Out of all the tough situations we have to deal with, God has crafted a group of men who depend on Christ first and then each other second. I have never been in an elder’s meeting where, by the end, anything has not been worked out by the five of us. There’s never any power play, there’s never any derogatory or inflammatory statements.

I know of churches where the “leadership” is at odds and pastoral staff members are not allowed to “weigh in.” I know of churches that are led by the congregation, where every Tom, Sue and Harry can “cast their vote” regardless of any spiritual growth, regular attendance, ad infinitum. What a miserable existence for the guys who serve in that context. I truly do not envy them.

The elders of NCC have truly been through some tough times together and don’t read the above as, “We are perfect, never make mistakes or have it all figured out.” To put it simply, I wouldn’t want it any other way. I love these men and I need them, I would give my life in exchange for theirs. I pray that I am able to shepherd them as much as I need their shepherding in my life.

Some Scriptures on Elders.
Acts 20:28; 1 Tim 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9; 1 Peter 5:1-5; Hebrews 13:17