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Larry Short |
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UNDERSHEPHERDS
by Larry Short
Today’s Elder Board has a significantly different focus than when
Darlene and I first began attending Elim, circa September 1996. This
is largely due to Pastor Martin’s heart as an undershepherd. The first
four verses of 1 Peter 5 instruct:
1To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder, a
witness of Christ's sufferings and one who also will share in the
glory to be revealed: 2Be shepherds of God's flock that
is under your care, serving as overseers—not because you must, but
because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for
money, but eager to serve; 3not lording it over those
entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. 4And
when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory
that will never fade away.
Elders at Elim used to function primarily as deacons. That is, they
simply managed the business affairs of the church. We assigned various
duties and even (only half jokingly) said we had an “elder of
toilets.”
But one thing that has always impressed me about Pastor Martin is his
tender shepherd’s heart toward the people of Elim (and toward the
community around us). I think there was a day when he tried to do all
the undershepherding himself (in addition to mowing the lawn!).
But as our church has grown, just as it no longer makes sense for him
to mow the lawn, so it no longer makes sense for him to try and
undershepherd every one of the approximately 200 souls who make up
this local body.
So he has been developing us as elders in our understanding and
commitment to this important responsibility and focus. What does this
look like?
Each year we pore over a list of Elim’s friends and members, and
various elders (including Martin and Brian) are assigned various
families to take shepherding responsibility for. Mostly (but not
always) this is on the basis of affinity; elders may take
responsibility for people involved in a group they are already a part
of, such as a community group or ministry team.
This means that each elder is responsible for 25-30 individuals. A
large group, but more doable than 200! The main responsibility is
simply connection. Our desire is to be aware of where you are at in
your walk with the Lord and to help stimulate you to love and good
deeds. We want to know what needs that you may have that we can pray
for, and also be a “touch point” or conduit for you to the leadership
of the church, to help keep you aware of what God is doing here at
Elim so that you can be praying and participating effectively.
So, your assigned elder may check in with you by e-mail, or may call
you occasionally to see how things are going. They may even want to go
out and get coffee sometime! Please share openly with your elder any
prayer requests and praises. Significant requests are brought before
the entire Elder Board at its monthly meeting and prayed over by all.
Urgent requests (which should also be shared with the prayer hotline)
are communicated immediately.
Through this structure and commitment our hope is that no person
attending Elim will “fall through the cracks.” In addition to being an
army that marches into the community and shares the love of Christ
through both word and deed, the local church is also a hospital of
wounded healers. We all have hurts and needs, and we all need to be
praying for and serving one another in the name of Jesus.
Please be in prayer for us, your elders, as we seek to lead this Body
in a manner that pleases our Chief Shepherd, Jesus Christ!
"What is Elder Shepherding?" |
