At Valley Community Church, we are:
Elder Shepherded – Staff Implemented – Team Operated – Deacon Served – Congregationally Affirmed
ELDER SHEPHERDED
“So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.'”
1 Peter 5:1-5
The office of Elder is an important and indispensable aspect of healthy life in the local church. The New Testament exhorts us to appoint Elders, for members to respect Elders, and for the Elders to serve as shepherds of Christ’s flock. It is a position that requires extreme commitment to the Church and should not be approached lightly.
An Elder must shepherd Christ’s flock. A shepherd leads, protects, and feeds. An Elder watches over the members of the church as one who will give an account to God. It is important to note that the role of Elder is one of service, not power over the body. Even as an Elder instructs, strengthens, guards, rebukes, and bears, he does this as one who is completely under the Headship of Christ. Christ is the supreme head of the Church and everyone is subject to His authority. Elders are first and foremost servants of the church. A servanthood-centered heart, committed to following Christ is absolutely key.
TEAM OPERATED
“And what you have heard from me, in the presence of many witnesses, entrust to faithful men
who will be able to teach others also.”
2 Timothy 2:2
“Teams are made up of gifted people. In a New Testament church, it is so important that spiritual gifts be discerned, discovered, developed, and deployed.” -Adrian Rodgers
In Ephesians 4, Paul declares to his readers that the elders equip the saints for the work of ministry. The church is to be operated by members of the church using their God-given gifts to be about the work of the church. Our Servant Leadership Team is comprised of gifted people that have oversight in very specific areas of ministry. Without their oversight and leadership, God’s work cannot be completed.
DEACON SERVED
Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”
Acts 6:1-4
The Greek word for deacon is a servant. When God called deacons He did not call just any person to serve; He called for qualified men to look out for the physical needs of the church. Deacons meet regularly and prayerfully to seek God’s guidance in ministering to the needs of the people and the distribution of support. These men bring order to the daily routine and flow of the church and the members therein.
CONGREGATIONALLY AFFIRMED
And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken,
and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.
Acts 4:31
No leadership structure is above authority. The congregation affirms the actions and decisions of the leadership by humbly submitting to God and His authority. We see in Acts 6 where the congregation affirms the newly appointed deacons. We see in Matthew 18:15-20 where the congregation has the final say on excommunicating a brother from the fellowship. We also see in Acts 4 where the congregation affirms John and Peter’s prayer for boldness. The roles of leadership are carried out by members of the congregation that have been called to their respective positions. The congregation affirms these roles by recognizing the God-given calling, qualifications, and humility of the persons called and affirming the vision that God calls them to.
