Quote
Robin said:
If my church needs Elders, I'll be looking around within the church for guys who are already "elding" (discipling and teaching others - whether individually or teaching a Bible study or Sunday school class; someone who already meets the Biblical requirements. And someone who, once nominated, would seek (and get, at no cost to himself), even further training.

I don't think we should nominate "trainees" (per se) as officers and then train them. But I do think that Deacons who are already "deaking" and Elders who are already "elding" should be acknowledged, nominated, given further education in the Word and doctrine, and appointed to positions they "already" occupy. Wha'd'y'think?

This is exactly what the body is supposed to do!!!!!. But we do fall short and must ask for forgivenenss.

Ephesians 4:11-12
"And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists , and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry for the edifying of the body of Christ."


Instead we make it a popularity contest, or import pastors from the seminary across the country. Its all messed up....

I agree with a hearty Amen Robin....The Holy Spirit will put them in front of you. And some may be elder material who you would least expect. There are many Levi/matthews... Sauls.And Davids.

Remember this:

n the Old Testament, when Samuel was choosing a king for Israel, and the eldest of Jesse’s sons was presented to him, the Lord said, “Take no notice of his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. God does not see as humans see: people look at appearances but the Lord looks at the heart” (Sam16:7).

There never was a sinner half as big as Christ is as a Savior.