The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. – 1 Timothy 3:1
On Sunday we will install three new elders to serve four year ministry terms here at LifePoint: Chad Gorrell, Dustin McKinley and Steve Loy. Both Dustin and Steve have served as sitting elders before. This will be Chad’s first time serving in this role. Pastor Tony will share with us briefly during the preaching time on the biblical role of elders. That will be followed by a short installation service.
We do this each year on a Sunday because we believe it is important for our entire church family to participate in the installation of a new elder. I realize that it seems somewhat formal considering how we normally conduct worship at LifePoint, but I believe that the solemnity of the event and the sharing of vows and commitments is important, even in an ever-increasingly informal world. The task these men are committing to is vital, biblical, and comes with high expectations. The Scriptures relate that to us clearly and the exhortations for men who commit to this role in the local church are serious (see Acts 20:28-31; 1 Timothy 5:20; James 3:1). Therefore, their installation to this role should also be approached with seriousness. I hope you will come ready to, not only watch, but engage in the process. Please be in prayer for these men, their spouses (Katy Gorrell, Annie McKinley, and Angie Loy), and for our entire team of elders.
While I’m on the topic of elders, this might be a good place for me to explain something that has a few here at LifePoint wondering, “What do we mean when we say ‘sitting’ elder?” To the best of my recollection, I believe I started using this terminology many years ago at LifePoint and it has just stuck. I use it to distinguish between those men who serve as elders and those who are currently serving a four year term as elders in which they are actively engaged in their role by attending monthly meetings, voting on church matters, and actively shepherding. Every man who has been an elder at LifePoint is still an elder at LifePoint, whether they are serving a role currently as a “sitting” elder or not. The only reasons we would remove someone from being an elder at LifePoint is if they:
- Leave the church (for any reason).
- Ask to be removed from ministry as an elder (for any reason).
- Commit a grievous sin that biblically removes them from the office of elder.
Those who are serving by attending the monthly elders meetings and have voting privileges are “sitting” elders, those who are not are “elders.” There is nothing profound or secretive in the phrase. It is simply a way of distinguishing between those who are currently part of the 9-12 men who meet regularly and those who do not. Generally speaking, those who lead us each Sunday in a call to worship are “sitting” elders. All those on staff who hold the title “pastor” are also sitting elders. Hopefully, that helps clarify the terminology.
Barring any major changes related to the COVID-19 crisis, we plan to begin our Children’s and Nursery Ministries again on Sunday, September 13, as well as our adult Sunday classes (Plan & Promise, Fundamentals, etc.). I know that not all of you with younger children will feel ready to participate in the Children’s Ministry on that date. Again, our goal is not to ostracize anyone based on how they feel about attending or not attending services here. We leave that up to your discretion. We will continue to do everything here as safely and reasonably as we possibly can.
Grace and peace,
Pastor Jym