This past week all of the men were invited to participate in a class designed to talk about leadership. The ultimate goal is to raise up enough men to eventually become Bayfield’s next elders and deacons.
As we know in the pastoral letters from Paul to Timothy and Titus, leadership is a crucial part of the body of Christ. Not only is leadership important, but having good, strong, talented, gifted, and spiritually capable leaders is essential. That said, it is important for us to recognize that even though having elders and deacons is part of the Biblical pattern for the church, nowhere in any of the so-called “qualifications” for elders and deacons does it say that they are to be perfect. This is a huge misconception and misinterpretation of the scriptures and have kept a lot of good men from becoming elders and deacons.
What is important is having a desire to be a leader. Not everyone has this desire and that is ok, but if you do, then I encourage you to be part of this discussion. This doesn’t commit anyone or guarantee that everyone who attends will become an elder or deacon anytime soon. It is the goal to raise up new leaders, but if a person is not ready, then there will be no pressure.
This class is simply a discussion to help seek out those who have the desire to be leaders, to train and equip these men with the intentions of installing new elders and deacons in the Bayfield church.
There is no time line for this goal will be met as we are just beginning this class. It is our desire to take this slow and do this the best we can under the guidance of the Spirit. We are going to take this serious and commit to meeting once a week so that we can keep moving forward. Our next class is Tuesday, October 10, at 6 p.m.
This week we are going to discuss our present way in which men are leading in the church so that we can take an honest look at what is working and what is not. The following questions will be asked for discussion.
1. How do you think things are going as far as leadership?
2. What is working? What is not working?
3. Who are the key leaders? Most looked to? Men and women?
4. Do you think the rest of the congregation is following?
5. How do you know?
6. Where are you leading them to TODAY?
I hope we will get more men to attend this class and commit to this time as we continue to move forward, not only as men who desire to be leaders, but also as we seek to keep moving forward as the Bayfield family.
~ Brian Williams