HEALTHY ELDERS

For months now I have been discussing the need to be a healthy pastor. In order to be healthy, each pastor must be continually transformed as stated in in Romans 12:2. This shouldn't stop with just pastors. Elders need to be continually transformed as well. A great way for this dynamic to take place is to have elder meetings that are more than micro-managing the church.

Micro-managing the church is not the first priority of an elder board. There must be time set aside for personal growth and development of each elder. The elder board should be a close knit brotherhood of men who are willing to be vulnerable with each other. If the elders are not held accountable for their own spiritual transformation than how can we expect the folks in the pew to be transformed.

There must be a high degree of trust and unity in order for the elders to function in a healthy way, not only with each other, but with those who represent the staff. When there is tension between the staff and elders it demonstrates deficiencies in the spiritual and emotional maturity of the individuals involved.

With these thoughts in mind let me leave you with some questions that need to be answered:

1. Do you look forward to elder meetings, or have they become a necessary evil in your ministry life?

2. Have your elders demonstrated transformational growth as a member of the board?

3. Do you take time in your meetings to equip and challenge your elders to spiritual growth.

4. How much time do you spend in elder meetings micro-managing the business of the church rather then giving spiritual oversight?

5. Is there a deep trust between you and the elders.

6. Is there an atmosphere of transparency and love for one another on the board?

7. How much time do you spend praying together for the church and each other at your elder meetings?