Paul: Hey, Tim. It’s been over a year since we last talked. How’s it going?
Tim: Life is starting to get back to normal. A new kind of normal, that is.
Paul: Why doesn’t that surprise me?
Tim: Yeah, we now have long-term elders in place (I’m one of them). And we are learning to adjust to the rhythms and cycles of shepherding, as well as continuing on with all our other responsibilities as individuals.
Paul: Are you overwhelmed?
Tim: At first I was, that is, until we learned how to flow with it all, rather than obsess with it.
Paul: Well, it continues to be a learning process. You need to put a plan into place that will prevent you and your fellow elders from burning out, and to ensure there will be continuous additions to your elders group.
Tim: That sounds like a great idea. Does anyone have something put together on this?
Paul: As a matter of fact, we do. I thought that about now you would be needing some help.
Tim: One of the things I’ve learned since starting the transition is to learn from others so that we don’t have to make the same unnecessary mistakes.
Paul: You have learned well. Oh, and one other thing, would you and your church be willing to be a “mentor-church” to help other churches going through the same transition?
Tim: I’m sure the elders and congregation would love to do that. In fact, we have made up a list of ways you at Biblical Eldership Resources can improve your material.
Paul: Thanks, send us your feedback and we will add it to what we have, so that we can be constantly improving.
Tim: No problem. Glad to be of help.
You will need a well thought-out plan for sustaining the eldership ministry for the following reasons:
- Most elders have full-time secular jobs, family responsibilities, and their own individual ministries. Burnout is common and can lead to reduced effectiveness or leaving the ministry.
- As the church grows, the work of shepherding grows, and more elders may be needed.
- Aging and relocations will lead to natural attrition.
Therefore, you will need to address two major issues:
- Encouraging, protecting and growing existing elders (see “Sustaining Existing Elders”)
- Ensuring a steady flow of new qualified and trained elders (see “Adding New Elders”)