Tim Curious*: Hi, I’m Tim Curious, and you are …?
Paul Mentor: … Paul, that’s Paul Mentor. Welcome to Biblical Eldership Resources. If you are talking with me, you are at the implementation tab on our website. By the way, how did you learn about BE (Biblical Eldership) Resources?
Tim: Someone sent me a flyer in the mail with this web-address. It reminded me of a book I read a few years ago, called “Biblical Eldership” – can’t remember the author’s name. My interest piqued, so I got on the site and went through the information there on “What is Biblical Eldership?” And then I saw this tab for how to implement it.
Paul: How may I help you?
Tim: Well, I have a few initial questions. How does this “implementation” tab work? I imagine you get people from a diverse background culturally and denominationally, all with a different way of doing things?
Paul: You are right about that. You can include, “internationally” as well. Our goal is to get the word out to encourage people and churches to consider a biblical eldership form of church government. And, believe me, we get people from different doctrinal and theological persuasions checking out our site. So, we are attempting to address this subject in many different contexts.
Tim: That sounds “mentor” intensive. How many mentors do you have in your group? This could get to be a pretty large ministry.
Paul: It could, but we have designed (and continuously update) this website to anticipate and address many common issues and scenarios that people come to us with. Not every church is the same and not everyone who comes to this site for help is in the same situation.
Tim: Are you focused on one specific denomination?
Paul: No. Biblical Eldership is not a denominational concept—although it will affect groups differently depending on their current leadership structure. Churches from many different denominations have embraced BE, such as independent Bible churches, Baptist churches, Brethren, Evangelical Free, and others.
Tim: So back to my original question. How does this “implementation” tab work?
Paul: Well, in order for us to help you, we will first need to assess which of the main transition scenarios best fits you and your church’s situation. Then you will have to determine which of the two main plans you would like to take for transitioning your church to BE. These are preliminary issues. After that, you will be able to click through the seven main steps which will guide you and your church through a process of investigating and implementing BE.
Tim: That seems simple enough.
Paul: Yes, finding your way around our website and this process is easy. But, implementing BE is hard work. If you are committed to BE and making it happen in your church, the work is well worth the effort. Let’s get started. Oh, one other thing…every section is introduced with a fictitious conversation … like you and I are having. This will help set the stage for each section.
Tim: But, you seem real to me, Paul.
Paul: Neither one of us are, but I think many of our readers will find this interaction helpful and hopefully interesting. So, Tim, let’s make these conversations interesting, OK?
Tim: Let’s do it!
Transitioning a church to biblical eldership (BE) is hard work, and you need to count the cost (Luke 14:28). It will require considerable energy and time (probably more than you anticipate) and personal sacrifices:
- For the pastor it will mean relinquishing some authority, but it will also mean a lightening of his burden so he can focus more in the areas of his gifting.
- For leaders, it will mean sharing more significantly in the spiritual guidance of the church, but it will also mean helping shoulder the pastoral burden.
- Some church members may choose to leave the church because of the change, but others will be greatly encouraged by the fresh, biblical approach to leadership.
The sacrifices will be worth it all in the end, when the church is led by a well-functioning group of godly elders.
Change Agent
Every change needs a “change agent,” someone to get the ball rolling. The primary change agent—the Holy Spirit—often uses human instruments to bring about His work. Any effort you put into this must be in line with his leading.
“Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.” (Gal. 5:25 NIV)
The “Implementation” process assumes that you, the reader, are the initial human change agent. If you do not have a good grasp on biblical eldership, go to our “What is Biblical Eldership?” tab and fully study the scriptural teaching on this subject.
Further, we encourage you early in this process to find others of like mind to join you as co-catalysts. This will help reduce the focus on one human leader and foster the idea of the Holy Spirit working through a plurality of leaders.
The Value of Wise Counsel
Some churches have successfully transitioned to BE with no outside help. Others have failed, suffering from unnecessary and avoidable mistakes (Prov. 15:22).
Our recommendations are not intended to be a cookie-cutter approach that results in churches looking identical; rather they are a working outline, a tool to help you align your church more closely with the biblical leadership pattern. You can adapt our recommendations to your unique context.
When needed, we can provide personal consultation and teaching, or simply some “outsider” feedback on particularly difficult situations.
The group behind Biblical Eldership Resources represents many decades of eldership and leadership experience, has written and taught extensively on the subject of BE, and has trained and consulted with elders in a variety of churches worldwide. . This material you are reading represents what we consider the best advice, strategies, and resources for helping you implement BE in your church.
Helps and Pointers
Resistance to change comes with the territory, but we will provide suggestions for managing the change and helping the congregation understand and embrace BE as a welcome transformation for the church.
How Long Will This Process Take?
Transitions need time in order to be done well. You can expect the process to take anywhere from nine months to two years or longer, depending on the readiness of the church.
Getting the Most Out of This Material
Here’s how to gain maximum benefit:
- Pray fervently at every step of the process, for as Scripture states, “The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much” (James 5:16b).
- Follow the steps in order, as each one builds upon the previous one. Use the downloadable worksheets and discussion questions to work through the various topics and ideas. Discuss each step with other leaders in the church. This provides opportunity for “iron sharpening iron.”
- Consider the additional selected readings if you want more depth or breadth.
- Please give us your feedback, corrections of typos and mistakes, and most of all your insights and suggestions. We would like to add the wisdom you gain to our pool of experience and knowledge.Contact Us.
- Let us know if you would like a BE mentor who can help you track your progress and provide objective, outsider feedback and consultation. See our About Us or Contact Us.
May the Lord guide you in this process of transitioning to BE. Our desire is that you will “grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ, from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love” (Eph. 4:15-16).
Next:
For your next step, navigate to “Identify Your Scenario” in the sub-menu. This will help us guide you to the right information in the right sequence, in order to maximize the benefit to you.