Our Eldership has been installed as a team of spiritual leaders for our community working with our pastors, staff and volunteer leaders as a broader team to care for this church family. We are staff directed and Elder protected. We believe this is deeply foundational to being a biblically functioning community. This spiritual, protective covering by the Eldership is one deeply rooted in the example of Jesus, the writings of Paul and the commands of Scripture.

1 Peter 5:1-5 instructs us, “To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder and a witness of Christ's sufferings who also will share in the glory to be revealed: Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.”

This leadership is an entrustment of Jesus, not a self-appointment.

This leadership is about stewarding God’s people, not our own.

This leadership places people under care, not control.

This leadership is based on servanthood, not a desire for personal gain.

This leadership is based on shepherding, not “lording it over people.”

In Matthew 20 Jesus elaborates on the kind of leadership to be modeled in His family, “Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must become your slave. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Our Elders steward authority over our community, but this is a distinct kind of leadership. They are shepherds not tyrants… servants, not lords.