Lay Elder Team
1. Teaching and Guarding the Word
2. Leading with Courage
3. Modeling Christlike Character
4. Devotion to Prayer
5. Cultivating a Shepherd’s Heart
6. Guarding the Church’s Witness
Summary of Duties Required
- Regularly teach in some context: Sunday classes, small groups, youth, or one-on-one Bible studies.
- Review and affirm the church’s doctrinal statement and ensure all teaching aligns with it.
- Read through the church’s curriculum and listen to sermons from other leaders to ensure soundness.
- Identify and mentor at least one younger man to develop as a future teacher (2 Tim. 2:2).
- Be ready to gently correct members when false teaching or misunderstandings arise (Acts 20:30–31).
2. Leading with Courage
- Attend and actively contribute to elder meetings, making decisions prayerfully and biblically.
- Take initiative to reach out to members drifting from fellowship.
- Be willing to confront sin lovingly, pursuing Matthew 18 church discipline when necessary.
- Participate in strategic planning for the church’s mission, budget, and ministry direction.
- Lead by example in evangelism and disciple-making, encouraging members to follow.
3. Modeling Christlike Character
- Live transparently: invite church members into your home and let them see your life up close.
- Pursue ongoing accountability with fellow elders to guard against hidden sin.
- Keep your marriage strong and prioritize family discipleship — your home is your first ministry.
- Maintain financial integrity; be open and accountable in how you handle resources.
- Demonstrate humility by admitting mistakes and asking forgiveness when needed.
4. Devotion to Prayer
- Pray through the church membership regularly; cover each member in prayer over the course of weeks.
- Set aside time in elder meetings for focused prayer for the congregation and mission.
- Offer to pray with members immediately during conversations, not just later.
- Intercede for your fellow elders, staff, and deacons by name.
- Lead the congregation in public prayer, modeling dependence on God in worship gatherings.
5. Cultivating a Shepherd’s Heart
- Visit the sick, homebound, and grieving members regularly.
- Be accessible: make time for coffee, meals, or home visits to encourage members personally.
- Keep a pulse on the spiritual health of the church — listen well and ask questions.
- Celebrate spiritual growth: recognize faithfulness and encourage members in visible ways.
- Walk with members through trials, offering both biblical counsel and compassionate presence.
6. Guarding the Church’s Witness
- Maintain a good reputation in the community: integrity in work, family, and neighborhood.
- Lead the way in community involvement, showing that faith extends beyond Sunday gatherings.
- Be above reproach in financial dealings, speech, and conduct in public.
- Encourage members to live missionally so the church is known for love and truth.
Summary of Duties Required
- Complete Lay Elder Team Training sessions
- Attend regular Lay Elder Meetings with the Pastors
- Availability on Sunday mornings to greet people and engage conversation with guests
- Occasional visits to church members (spiritual needs)
- Monthly contacting of assigned members to better pray for them (phone, email, or in-person)
- Teach somewhere at least once a quarter
- Invest in someone in a regular discipleship relationship
- Be visible among the church body on Sundays and programming per your schedule