Elders Keeping Close Contact with Their Pastor(s)
Here is a truism...: Pastors and elders must regularly discuss both the quality of the worship services and the pastors' sermons.
Here is a truism...: Pastors and elders must regularly discuss both the quality of the worship services and the pastors' sermons.
As elders, all of us remember the very early stages of being an elder. Even experienced elders will not always feel comfortable with the office and even fewer would think of themselves as 'veterans'...
One reason for leaving mentioned more than once was: so many members don't feel warmly part of the fellowship of the congregation. You as elders can play a helpful role in that respect.
The CRC is losing members. Last summer's synod has talked about it. We have tried to find the causes. We wondered what to do about it. Church-growth creates its own momentum. Growth creates an atmosphere of growth. Is the opposite also true?
For the next several months I will participate with you as readers/writers in talking about the work of elders. We will consider questions and observations around situations you may face.
Careful preparation for retirement brings major advantages for pastors and congregations both before and after the actual farewell event. Many denominations and pastors have studied the matter of retirement with care.