ELDERS:

There are several words used in the scripture to explain the word elder: Zagen, siyb, episkopos, epesdopoa, supresbuteros, pressbuteros. There is no account of the origin of elder, but the book of Acts seems to imply that this function was clearly understood by all.

Elders are always plural in number. Elders help carry the weight of the responsibility of leading God's people. Elders have specific function and responsibility that may differ. Elders were never elected, they were appointed by the foundational ministries and other elders. Hands should never be laid upon any man suddenly.

Jesus, as the Head of the Church, equips the church with leadership. There must be one person anointed of God to make the final decisions for each local assembly, this is the senior pastor or presiding elder. Without this leadership there is confusion and chaos. One person must bear the weight of the ultimate and final decisions in given expression of believers.

Ideally Jubilee Church should have a plurality of Eldership, with one elder, the senior pastor, directing the other elders, deacons and congregation. This plurality does not necessarily mean that all function at the same level of responsibility or influence or due the same honor. (I Tim 5:17)

God places more emphasis on character and integrity rather than charisma. Elders do not intimidate, but rather serve or assist. All the laborers in Jubilee must be divinely appointed and called. No degree of education can make a person effective without the call of God. The character qualifications of I Tim 3:2 and Titus 1:6 are to be ones possessed or being acquired by those in leadership.

The most important area of ministry is that of hearing the voice of God, and then communicating to the congregation what God has spoken. It is of no value unless it is communicated and understood by the flock. The Eldership will lead the congregation, proving to be examples to the flock. Jesus was our prime example. Elders may be “cell leaders.”

Elders are expected to learn about management and leadership techniques. They must be an active, involved member of Jubilee Church, and a regular giver.

ELDERS JOB DESCRIPTION

The Elders assist the Pastor with the spiritual oversight of the church. The main function of the elders is that they rule Heb.13:7, I Thes. 5:12.

Specific duties:

All matters pertaining to the spiritual welfare of the congregation.

1. Maintains personal holiness.

2. Encourage the pastor in the work of the ministry.

3. Pray regularly for pastor and church.

4. Help pastor with all difficult problems of ministry.

5. Take oversight as necessary. Shepherd the flock of God (1 Peter 5:2, Acts 20:28, 1 Tim. 3:5).

6. Advise the pastor of all serious problems.

7. Assist the pastor in decisions of business and practical concerns.

8. Assist in church discipline.

Love the people of Jubilee

Serve the people.

a) Be careful how chummy you get with people in the congregation, you must maintain respect and dignity.

b) Don’t let people get too close that they try to manipulate you.

c) Never degrade another in their presence.

d) Don’t be aggressive or confrontive in public. Don’t embarrass.

1. Develop a positive and professional attitude.

2. Have the ability to teach to Word.

3. Help guard the flock of God and be on the lookout for strange and varied teachings that could pervert the truth.

4. Pray for the church and flock.

5. Develop leadership so that congregation will not grow frustrated.

6. Communicate with each other, and the body.

7. Help assume duties of correction, correct and know the congregation. Spot potential conflict situations.

8. Let their gifts flow, and strengths reign. Learn the gifts of the body and help develop them (Jn.10:14).

9. Share ideas and problems then advise solutions.

10. Promote evangelism

11. Build leadership and accountability in others.

12. Help pre-planning and scheduling

13. Oversee and direct deacons

14. They must know how to rule and lead and not "Laud over" God's people with dominating tendency (1 Peter 5:3).

15. Help make regular contact with the body.

16. Give support to the various functions of the church.

17. Oversee all other departments; guiding, integrating and directing human efforts toward accomplishing specified tasks.

18. Elders are to be sharp in appearance, and rule with dignity.

19. Elders are to help minister, greet, and be accountable.

20. Elders are expected to attend all Sunday and Friday services, coming 30 minutes early and staying after to minister and fellowship. In addition they are to attend Sunday Pre-service prayer from 9:00-9:30 am

21. Elders are not elected by popular vote but appointed by the ruling elders. (Acts 20:28, 14:23) There is no reference to the length of an Elder's term in the scripture. Therefore unless a person withdraws from this office, or spiritually disqualifies himself for service, he remains an active elder.

Acts 20:28 states that the elder's first concern must be for themselves, "Take heed therefore unto yourselves and to all the flock..." 1 Tim. 4:16. The terms of office is never indicated as being for a specified term. This office may be for life, as long as this person is walking with God and is taking oversight. Elder is a delegated ministry and is always answerable to the foundational ministries. Eph. 2:20.

An elder is worth of double honor; he is not to be rebuked, but to be entreated as a father. No accusations to be received against him without two or three witnesses. Otherwise it must not be believed.

This selection must be by unanimity of Eldership. The candidates must have exemplary leadership in ministry, cannot be novices, and must have a proven calling in one or more of the five fold ministries.

ELDERS MEETINGS: Elders

All Elders are expected to attend regular meeting of Eldership and ministerial staff designed to establish goals and prevent departmentalized spirit. (Now 1st Sat. of mth. 9:30 A.M.) The Goals of these meetings are:

A. To preserve the unity of Spirit, one mind, one purpose, one voice and one judgment.

B. To learn to submit to one another.

C. To develop intimate relationship with each other.

D. To understand that our safety is in one another.

E. To know one another after the Spirit and be joined together.

F. To maintain honesty, transparency and open communication.

G. To develop a servant spirit.

H. To not compete but to edify one another.

I. To learn to be loyal to one another. To be committed to God's vision and each other.

J. To be taught, reproved, corrected and trained by the Word.

K. To be examples to one another, to have the same spirit. To learn to pray together. To not draw disciples after ourselves, to not have a dominating spirit.

L. To understand differing personalities as a gift to the Body, to develop control of our tongues and patience, to take heed to ourselves, to have the mind of Christ.

Elders can solve issues, disputes, and mediate all controversy for restoration and healing. These activities need not be discussed with the ministerial staff.

QUALIFICATIONS: The candidates must have exemplary leadership of ministry, not novices. They must have a proven calling or ministerial gifting. They must be active, involved, punctual, givers to Jubilee. They must be above reproach and qualify with Godly ability according to I Tim. 3:1-7, Titus 1:7-9.

OTHER MINISTERS ACCOUNTABLE to Eldership

1. Ministers recognized at Jubilee will be those who qualified in this local body, or from those places whose doctrines and standards are equivalent. They will present a letter of recommend. Newly arriving "ministers" will be evaluated. There will be a time of appraisement. Many will be given an opportunity to operate in their calling.

2. Ordained ministers may officiate in the Communion, do baptisms and weddings (etc.) as qualified and as required.

3. Ministers will be a support network to the Eldership, and will not Kingdom-build for themselves.

4. Ministers will report directly to the Eldership. They will display irreproachable conduct and loyalty.

5. Ministers may meet with Eldership meetings as invited.

We propose to have a comprehensive ministry-training program to prepare men and women personally:

A. Strength of character and overall lifestyle

B. Stability of family life

C. Knowledge of Scripture

D. Clarification of personal vision

E. A servant's attitude, teachable spirit.

F. The ability to accept and bear with the faults and abuses of others without prolonged discouragement or rejection.

G. To build trust, cooperation and understanding.

H. To teach "plurality" as opposed to independence.

I. To see God's grace operate in other imperfect vessels.

This team must be characterized by a productive staff that believes in one another, even though they may not always agree, they respect one another and never allow themselves to become familiar with humanity so that they lose respect for one another. 11 Corinthians 5:16, Jn. 7:5, Mark 6:2-3. Those that come to advance their own personal ambitions and promote themselves will be dismissed.

A leader may have done will in a previous position, but that alone does not qualify him for a new responsibility. Loyalty and patience are imperative qualities, but are passive traits that tell nothing about the ability to take action and to lead. Proven willingness to attack problems is also important. But, it is not talent alone that we are looking for but primarily, faithful commitment. This staff is to offset and cover one another's week spots and not discuss them with non-staffed congregation.

The discussions of this meeting are confidential: confined to those on staff only. This means your mate. If your mate is competent to handle these problems, perhaps he/she should also be on staff...otherwise don't discuss it! We try to never make a problem more public than it ought to be. There is a loneliness of keeping a confidence. God often calls us to control information in the best interest of others reconciling to the Gospel. God must be trusted to control situations.

The staff will attempt to build, maintain and strengthen relationships, and at the same time be able to 'speak the truth in love." We must remember that the spirit in which we sand is as important as what we say. We purpose to relate to people gently but firmly. People are what we are about.

This ministry staff is selected to lead. Complaining to others must be discouraged because it undermines and demoralizes the church. It is Ministerial Staff's job to negotiate their relationship and attitude toward the pastor as supervisor -- not the other way around. The pastor has the understood right to lead the leaders. The staff is to represent and defend the pastor to the congregation, NOT represent and defend the congregation to the pastor.

This training will include general instruction in Biblical truths and individual ministry dealing with areas of personal development.

218-248-7247