YOUNGER ELDERS
God has blessed us here at Elim with a
group of leaders, both men and women, who have
a heart for God and are eager to serve others.
In particular I am really thrilled right now
that there are five men who are seeking
congregational approval to begin two-year
terms on the Elder Board.
Our church constitution allows for three
consecutive two-year terms, and two of those
men are completing their first consecutive
term. Those two are yours truly, and also
Steve Kearns, the vice chairman of the elder
board. However, you may be aware that prior to
a brief hiatus, both Steve and I served
previously. In my case, I have served three
previous two-year terms, and I'm sure Steve
has done more at least that much.
We are also excited to be bringing back Dan
Amos, who was elder board chairman when I came
onto the board two years ago. I'm pretty sure
that Dan, too, has served at least three prior
terms.
What's new this year is the remaining two
candidates, Chris Pace and Nate Champneys.
Both are younger men (in their late 20s ...
so, younger than me, anyway!). So I wanted to
take this opportunity as elder board chairman
to express my enthusiastic appreciation for
Chris' and Nate's willingness to serve, and
also give you some insight into our thinking
about the benefits of bringing "younger
elders" onto the Elder Board as a strategic
move to ensure the health
of our Body in the years to come.
Chris and Nate will be joining an elder board
where the average age (right now) is probably
50. But, as we all know, physical age does not
necessarily equate to emotional, mental, and
spiritual maturity. Paul told Timothy, "Let no
man look down upon you because of your youth."
Jesus Himself was a young man of 30 when he
began his public ministry.
The real issues, of course, are: Does a person
meet the biblical qualifications for servant
leadership as elder? Has he demonstrated
leadership in serving others in ministry? Does
his life show a commitment to personal
integrity and holiness as
described in 1
Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1? Does he
invest himself in growing closer to Christ and
managing his family well? I believe that if
you know Nate and Chris as I do, you will
agree that these men fulfill these
requirements and that their aspiration to
leadership is a worthy one.
I have asked each of these men to share a
little bit of his testimony and involvement
so you can get to know them better. And, in
the coming weeks, we will also be
encouraging them to share more of their
heart with you through this column and other
venues of communication here at Elim.
CHRIS PACE
I'm 27 years old
now, but I gave my life to my Savior at
the age of 8. I was raised in a Baptist
church and attended Awana from the 4th
grade until my final year of high school.
I worked as an Awana leader until last
year, when I felt God telling me: "Now
I want you to work with the Youth."
I've taught 3rd and 6th grade Sunday
School for years and have co-led college
and career groups. For the past 9 years
I've served as a camp counselor for one
week each summer. Since I've started
coming to Elim, about 3 years ago, I've
not only served in Awana and with the
youth, but I have also served as your
sound tech, been involved in community
groups and a men's group.
I look forward to seeing how God intends
to continue using me here in the body at
Elim.
NATE CHAMPNEYS
As I have gone
through life and heard many testimonies of
those in the church, I have been envious.
In the past I have felt that God really
didn't save me "from" much. I was a kid
who grew up in a "good Christian home,"
received Christ at age 6, and never really
got into trouble. I always wished I had
had a testimony like a Paul of Tarsus, or
like my dad, whom God saved out of
Mormonism.
But I have come to realize that every
testimony is a good one! Every person
whose life has been touched by God is an
amazing story. I remember my dad talking
with me about Jesus before bed one night
and explaining Jesus and why he came and
asking me if I wanted him to forgive my
sins. It was that day that I began to fall
in love with Jesus, and because God
grabbed my heart at such a young age, he
was able to use me despite my age.
I look back and I just can't believe the
work God has done in my own life and how
He used me in the lives of others (which
is not to my own credit!). One of the main
things I think that had a big influence on
me was my mission trips to Utah. I started
going with my dad to Utah to witness to
Mormons, every summer starting at age 11.
Sharing my faith with others formed my
faith because I had to put it into words
to others.
This is true in any kind of ministry. As
you minister to others, God is working in
your own heart. With the one sermon I have
preached in my life, I think I learned
more than the people I preached it to! As
I lead worship at Elim God grows me and
ministers to me as I minister to others.
I am excited to be able to serve as an
elder because I know that God is going to
use the wise, godly men that are on the
board to grow me in a way that I can then
use to minister to the body of Christ at
Elim. My heart is for the families at Elim
to be able to draw near to the King of
Kings and shake up the world for Him and
His glory!
I am also excited
to see such a diverse group of godly men on
the board. Men from all walks of life, from
those who are just starting families like
Chris, to those who have
finished raising their kids like Larry,
Bill, Gordy or Steve. A group of men with
the one desire to come together to seek
God's will for Elim. I can see God moving
through this body; God has done amazing
things at Elim in the last few years, but it
is awesome to think that He has only just
begun and the best is yet to come!
The final thing I want to share with you is
something Nate touched on, when he mentioned
the diversity of those on the Elder Board. I
know that "diversity" (in the way the world
uses it, to mean "To each his or her own")
can be a loaded word. Yet diversity (in
terms of life experience) is one of the
things I appreciate about Elim, and one of
the things I think we should value in
ministry. Yes, with younger elders, we will
have the opportunity to help form them in
ministry. But they will also have an impact
on us! I have seen what having vital youth
and young adults ministries has done for the
Body of Christ at Elim. To me personally, it
has brought new perspective, has helped me
to see how important to the Lord it is that
we remain vital, passionate, and culturally
relevant in order to reach others with the
Gospel.
I am excited about
bringing these
potential elders for a congregational vote. Young
and old together, we look forward to what God
is going to do in the months and years to
come.
- Larry
