Answer His Call
Overview
In Answer His Call, the divine call of the elder to serve as a leader within the congregation is addressed. This volume
- Addresses the nature of the call placed on an elder’s life as a leader within the congregation
- Speaks of the spiritual conversion and transformation necessary in the life of an elder
- Surveys the qualifications for eldership
- Provides models for the elder selection process
- Introduces you to the idea of elder governance—what role and function an eldership plays in the life of a congregation
- Discusses the value and importance of having elders
In the Logos Bible Software edition, all Scripture passages are tagged to the original language texts or your preferred English translation. You can perform powerful searches by topic and find what other authors, scholars, and theologians have to say, making this volume ideal for discovering the elder’s roles.
- Addresses elders’ key roles
- Illustrates the characteristics an elder must have
- Emphasizes the importance of eldership
- An Elder’s Calling
- An Elder’s Conversion and Transformation
- Biblical Qualities of an Elder
- Effective Elder Selection
- Elder Governance
- Peer Evaluations
Top Highlights
“If we are to live blameless lives, we must be thermostats, not thermometers. Thermostats have an internal control, whereas thermometers simply react to the external environment. To be blameless before self, we must be temperate, disciplined, and self controlled; not simply living in reaction to external stimuli. A Christian leader must have the thermostatic control of his life centered on Christ, not worldly distractions. We are called to be blameless to self.” (Pages 56–57)
“To lead effectively, an elder should have interpersonal skills, be able to communicate effectively, be able to think analytically. An elder should have some skill in communicating the Word, whether that be preaching or teaching Scripture effectively. An elder must have a skill set for being pastoral, which includes not only offering compassion and care to people of the church, but to know that pastoral care involves church discipline, as well. Fundamental leadership skills are needed if we are to have capable elders.” (Page 22)
“The four primary functions within elder governance are: 1) to establish policy, 2) to provide oversight in pastoral matters, 3) to lead the ministry of prayer, and 4) to lead the ministry of the Word. Day-to-day operational matters are not the concern of elders, nor are administrative or financial issues. These responsibilities—and their accompanying authority by which to get the job done—are to be delegated by the elders to individuals capable of leading in these areas.” (Page 92)
“Men who are genuinely content with what they have, who hunger for holiness, and who are truly humble exhibit traits conducive of an appropriate lifestyle for leading the local church. Men who are self-disciplined in their Christian walk, and who are radically devoted to his family, the Church, and the Word exhibit a lifestyle befitting a spiritual leader.” (Page 24)
James Estep, David Roadcup, and Gary Johnson have the theological credentials and practical experience to shed some light on how God intended his church to be shepherded. Jesus Christ is still the only hope of the world, the church is still his body on the earth, elders are still the pastors of his flock and the time in which we live demand the best we can give. So study and implement the principles set forth in this book so the church can be as the Lord intended it to be—a city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.
—From the foreword by Bob Russell, retired pastor, Southeast Christian Church, Louisville, KY
- Title: Answer His Call
- Authors: Jim Estep, David Roadcup, and Gary Johnson
- Publisher: College Press
- Publication Date: 2009
- Pages: 110
Jim Estep is a professor of Christian education at Lincoln Christian University Seminary in Lincoln, Illinois.
David Roadcup is the director of the Center for Church Advancement at Cincinnati Christian University.
Gary Johnson is the senior minister of Indian Creek Christian Church in Indianapolis, Indiana.