Elder Nominations
Good morning,
As I announced a couple of weeks ago, we will be beginning the elder selection process this Sunday. We will be looking to nominate and affirm two men for a 3 – year elder term beginning in January of 2027. Gerald Rorher has served his two terms as elder (plus an additional year) and Bruce Fite is also rotating off the elder board at the completion of his first term as elder at the end of the year. Both of these men have served ABCF well as elders and I am grateful for the servant-leadership that they both have given this congregation.
A couple of years ago I preached a sermon on the qualifications to be considered an elder. If you’d like, you can view it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_yU85DKSvas
At Andrews Bridge we remain aligned with AMEC’s position regarding eldership being reserved for men, which reads as follows:
We affirm our commitment to the principle of the essential equality of men and women in Christ as well as to the traditional understandings of the Bible's teaching on the subject of leadership, authority, and spiritual headship.
However, we do not believe that teaching by women is ruled out of every setting in the church, nor do we believe that women may not use their voices in worship and/or the life of the congregation. We also do not believe that every man is qualified to be an elder.
As to what qualifies a man to serve as an elder, we turn to Paul’s instructions in 1 Timothy 3:1-7. There we find Paul listing the following qualities:
Above Reproach
Faithful to His Wife
Temperate
Self-Controlled
Respectable
Hospitable
Able to Teach
Not Given to Drunkenness
Not Violent But Gentle
Not Quarrelsome
Not a Lover of Money
Manage Own Family Well
Not a New Convert
Have a Good Reputation in the Community
You will notice that perfection is not a requirement to be an elder! In every elder search that I have been involved with, the men who are contacted are always surprised to learn that the congregation nominated them. We tend to have a much harsher view of ourselves than others do. Generally speaking, the man aspiring for the eldership must be "above reproach" with his fellow church members…a man that no one can legitimately criticize for the way he lives.
This Sunday, 9/13 we will begin the elder nomination process. You will find an elder nomination form inserted into your bulletin. You may nominate up to two men. If you would like to submit a nomination, please fill it out, sign it and either hand it to me or put it in my mailbox. All nominations are confidential. Nominations will be received through Sunday 9/27.
After 9/27 the elders will review the nominations. Men with 3 or more nominations will be considered for the elder term beginning 1/1/27 and concluding on 12/31/29. All candidates will be carefully considered and then the elders will begin reaching out to the candidates that we believe God is leading us to in order to gauge their interest.
Once the candidates have agreed to serve we will call for a vote of affirmation from the congregation. A candidate needs to be affirmed on at least 75% of the eligible ballots to be installed as an elder.
Please be in prayer now for this vital process in the life of the church.
Here’s what’s happening:
1. TONIGHT - Youth Group at 6:30 pm at the church.
2. TOMORROW - Youth Group Activity night at the Caldwell home, 11o Canterbury Court in Nottingham.
3. SUNDAY – Coffee Fellowship is continuing! Join us at 9:30 for a light snack and a cup of coffee before the service.
4. SUNDAY – The annual church Corn Roast is after the service at Lloyd and Mary Lois Kreider’s home. Lunch will be served at 12:15. Corn on the cob, hot dogs, drinks and paper supplies will be provided. Please bring a large picnic food dish to share (finger food works best). Bring a lawn chair or blanket to sit on. Parking is available in front of the barn or over at Kreider’s Market. Please see myself or the Kreiders if you need directions. A golf cart is available for those who might need it.
5. 9/16 – Tentative Start Date for the Building Project.
6. 9/20 – Double Nickels
7. 9/24 – Youth Group at 6:30 pm at the church.
8. 9/27 – Youth Group Luncheon
9. Rachel Nolt is looking for help in the Solanco Fair kitchen next week, particularly in the evenings. If you are interested/willing please see her.
This Sunday we are looking at the short book of Haggai. God’s people had returned to Jerusalem, but they had become more concerned with building their own houses than rebuilding God’s house. We’ll look at the four prophecies of Haggai and see how God called His people (and calls us today) to examine their priorities, return to Him, and put His work first!
Have a great weekend,
Scott