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G/C ELDERSHIP
Biblical Eldership is outlined in 1 Timothy and Titus. The office of eldership is given in Scripture to provide spiritual nurture and protection for the church. Elders are to shepherd the flock of Jesus Christ through the faithful ministry of the Word and are to lead by godly example. Grace City holds to a complementarian (male elder) view of church leadership. An elder serves for a term of three years, with monthly meetings and regular engagement of ministry. This webpage outlines the process for the installation of elders at Grace City.
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Dear Candidate,
Thank you for considering a leadership role within Grace City Church. When Grace City
was started in 2015, we believed it was God’s call that brought us into existence and
now we lean on God’s call again to bring the leaders that He chooses to serve in these
roles. The calling to lead in God’s Church is a noble calling (1 Timothy 3:1), but we also
acknowledge that God works through weak vessels. As disciples of Jesus, we are
weak people called to be a reflection of God’s love and grace and many times we fall
short. You may have struggled with whether or not you’re fit for this role, but the
Apostle Paul reminds us to think on Christ as we step into whatever God has for us in
life in 1 Corinthians 1:26-31. Here’s what he says,
“For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly
standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose
what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world
to shame the strong; 28 God chose what is low and despised in the world, even
things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, 29 so that no human being
might boast in the presence of God. 30 And because of him you are in Christ Jesus,
who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and
redemption, 31 so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”
— 1 Corinthians 1:26-31
Over this next season we will consider your calling to church leadership at Grace City,
but know that your first calling is always secure in Jesus. Please know that I love you,
respect you, and am grateful for you courageously submitting yourself to this process
because of the important responsibility in which it carries. God’s grace to you and
Godspeed as we journey together.
Joyfully serving Jesus alongside you,
Randall Tonini
Lead Pastor
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Qualifying Phase
Biblical elders are first called by God. The Qualifying Phase happens before the candidate is approached by leadership to consider the ministry of eldership.
Requirements
- Must be in good standing with the church
- Must be a Biblical member who has proven commitment and leadership
- Must exemplify a solid walk of faith and spiritual disciplines
- Must meet the standards of eldership from 1 Timothy and Titus
Qualities
- Christ-like character and humility
- A desire and ability to make disciples
- Church leadership competency and a heart to serve
- Team chemistry and a willingness to steward their gifts for the Kingdom
- Ability to break down Scripture & understand basic theology
- Know how to teach Scripture (Gospel-Centered)
- The heart and skills to counsel, disciple and equip others for ministry
Elder candidates will be reviewed by pastors and elders in the church through the Investigation, Training, and Confirmation Phases.
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Investigation Phase
The Investigation Phase involves opportunities for the pastor and elder team to learn about the spiritual and personal life of the elder candidate.
Application
Due March 20, 2021
The candidate will fill out the G/C Eldership online application.
Essay Reading
Due March 20, 2021
The candidate will read “The Role of the Elder, Bishop, and Pastor” by Jonathan Griffiths and be prepared to give reflections during the initial interview.
References
Due March 20, 2021
Two non-familial references will be required; including one professional reference if applicable. The references must complete the G/C Elder Reference Form.
Spiritual Health Inventory
Due March 20, 2021
The candidate and his wife will complete and discuss the following questionnaires regarding the candidate’s spiritual health. The questionnaires will not be turned in, but will be discussed in the initial interview.
Initial Interview
March 21-31, 2021
The candidate will meet with a pastor and/or staff member to review the above components and investigate details of the candidate’s spiritual disciplines and family life. If applicable, the candidate’s spouse may also be interviewed.
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Training Phase
The Training Phase involves a series of readings and meetings to equip the candidate for the ministry of eldership.
Mentorship
The elder candidate will be connected to a gospel coach. Through meetings, readings, discussions, and activity, the elder will be practically encouraged in church ministry. Since the essence of eldership is leading and shepherding, the candidate will be entrusted with various levels of leadership and shepherding contexts to develop.
Personal Growth
Elders will attend retreats, conferences and trainings along with the lead pastor.
Personal Plan
Through the vision of the lead pastor, each elder will create a personal plan/strategy for effective ministry.
Training Schedule (4 months total)
The candidate will read the following books by the given training session date.
CALLING + CHARACTER — April 28, 2021
- A Tale of Three Kings (Edwards)
- The Way of the Dragon or The Way of the Lamb (Goggin & Strobel)
BASIC BELIEFS + DOCTRINE — May 26, 2021
- The Gospel Driven Church (Wilson)
- Grounded in the Gospel (Packer & Parrett)
COMPETENCY — June 23, 2021
- Gospel Eldership (Thune)
CHEMISTRY + GIFTING — July 28, 2021
- Gospel Coach (Thomas)
Further Study
- Finding Faithful Elders and Deacons (Anyabwile)
- Systematic Theology (Grudem)
- Leading one another: Church Leadership (Jamieson)
- “Christian Elders in the New Testament” (Piper)
- Church Elders (Rinne)
- Biblical Eldership (Strauch)
- Gospel Eldership: Equipping a New Generation of Servant Leaders (Thune)
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Confirmation Phase
The Confirmation Phase is the final approval of the candidate as an elder of Grace City Church.
Biblical Knowledge
Due August 14, 2021
The candidate will complete this online Biblical Knowledge Questionnaire.
Congregational Input
August 1-14, 2021
Before the final installation of the elder candidate, the church will be given a two week period to provide any concerns to the pastors and elders.
Final Interview
August 15-28, 2021
After this two week period, a final interview will be conducted where the candidate will sign the elder covenant.
Public Installation
August 29, 2021
The candidate will then be publicly brought before the church for installation as an elder.
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GOSPEL
- The Gospel Centered Life (Thune)
- The Prodigal God: Recovering the Heart of the Christian Faith (Keller)
- The Cure (Lynch, McNicol & Thrall)
- Gospel Fluency (Vanderselt)
- The Cross Centered Life (Mahaney)
HUMILITY
- The Freedom of Self Forgetfulness (Keller)
- The Way of the Dragon or The Way of the Lamb (Goggin & Strobel)
- Humilitas (Dickson)
- The Tale of Three Kings (Edwards)
DOCTRINE
- Bible Doctrine: Essential Teachings of the Christian Faith (Grudem)
- The New City Catechism Curriculum (Keller)
- Sound Doctrine (Jemieson)
- Knowing God (Packer)
- The Knowledge of the Holy (Tozer)
LEADERSHIP
- Biblical Eldership (Strauch)
- Gospel Eldership (Thune)
- Gospel Coach (Thomas & Wood)
- Leadership as an Identity (C. Lorrits)
- The Making of a Leader (Clinton)
MISSION
- The Gospel in a Pluralist Society (Newbigin)
- Mission Drift (Greer & Horst)
- Surprise the World (Frost)
- Renaissance (Guinness)
- Every Good Endeavor (Keller)
- Kingdom Calling (Sherman)
APOLOGETICS
- Uncommon Ground (Keller & Inazu)
- Confronting Christianity (McLaughlin)
- Making Sense of God (Keller)
DISCIPLESHIP
- Gospel Coach (Thomas & Wood)
- Trellis & the Vine (Marshall & Payne)
- Transformed (Kalinowski)
- Grounded in the Gospel (Packer & Parrett) • Life Together (Bonhoeffer)
PRAYER / SPIRITUAL WARFARE
- Spiritual Warfare (Rankin)
- Jesus Continued (Greear)
- In the Name of Jesus (Nouwen)
CHURCH PLANTING
- Center Church (Keller)
- Planting Missional Churches (Stetzer)
- Gospel Driven Church (Wilson)
MINISTRY RESOURCES
- The New Elders Handbook (Scharf & Kok)
- The Heart of a Servant Leader (Miller)
- Ministering to Problem People in Your Church (Shelley)
- Jesus on Every Page (Murray)
- The Color of Compromise (Tisby)
- Insider Outsider (Loritts)
- Meet Generation Z (White)
- What’s Best Next (Perman)
- Ministries of Mercy (Keller)
- Preaching (Keller)
- Dangerous Calling (Tripp)
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2022 Calendar
Training Schedule
Each training will be a three hour meeting on Mondays from 6-9pm to discuss two chapters of Gospel Eldership.
January 10 – Training Meeting
- Lesson 1: Servant Leadership
- Lesson 2: A Biblical Approach to Church Leadership
February 7 – Training Meeting
- Lesson 3: The Primacy of Character
- Lesson 4: The Leadership Triangle
March 7 – Training Meeting
- Lesson 5: Elders Feed the Church
- Lesson 6: Elders Lead the Church
April 4 – Training Meeting
- Lesson 7: Elders Protect the Church
- Lesson 8: Elders Care for the Church
May 2 – Training Meeting
- Lesson 9: Missional Eldership
- Lesson 10: The Temptations of Leadership
Confirmation Schedule
The month of May will be the final month of presenting elder candidates to the church, receiving congregational input, finalizing the elders and publicly installing them.
May 1 – Announce Candidates
May 1-15 – Congregational Input
May 8 – Meet and Greet
May 16-21 – Final Interviews
May 22 – Public Installation
Regular Schedule
An elder serves for a term of three years, with monthly meetings and regular engagement of ministry. **NOTE: Randall will be taking a sabbatical from June-July, so there will be no meetings during summer 2022.
May 23 – First Monthly Meeting
August 22 – Monthly Meeting
October 24 – Monthly Meeting
December 3 – Leader Retreat
December 19 – End of Year Meeting
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