Elders & LEs

Elders & LEs

            There are many things you are called on to do as elders.  Besides the pastor, you are the only other “leaders in the congregation who coordinates all of the church’s activities” (Seventh-day Adventist Elder’s Handbook, p. 51).  It is recommended that you be trained in church organization and administration, church growth, care of new converts, worship leadership, preaching, visitation, function and chairing of committees, and pastor-elder partnership (Elder’s Handbook, p. 52).

            You are to maximize the pastor’s strengths, compensate for the pastor’s weaknesses, and pastor the pastoral family (Elder’s Handbook, pp. 53-57).  In addition to supporting the pastor, you are to support the church clerk, deacons and deaconesses, treasurer, Community Services Leader, Family Life leader, Women’s Ministries Leader, Music Ministries Leader, Personal Ministries Leader, and at least nine others (Handbook, pp. 81-90). 

            Last on the list is the ministry Ellen White said is “as important as preaching,” and that “if there is one work more important than another, it is that of getting our publications before the public” (Colporteur Ministry, p. 45; Testimonies for the Church, vol. 4, p. 390). 

In light of these statements, please make the following request a priority in your ministry.

           

Support Literature Ministry

            “One of the most effective ways to share the gospel message is through the printed page.  The church distributes Bibles, magazines, tracts, Bible correspondence courses, and a wide variety of truth-filled books.  Literature evangelists take our books and magazines to the homes of many thousands every year. 

            “You can support the literature ministry by encouraging your church board to spend money on distributing literature in your community.  Encourage your members to enroll their friends in Bible correspondence courses.  If you have a literature evangelist working in your area, give that person time during the church services to share how God is using this ministry in your community.  Promote the purchase and distribution of our magazines and papers.  Encourage our members to read the books offered in our publishing centers.  Suggest to the church that they sponsor literature racks in public places.  Set up a literature rack in the church.  Start a church library.  Encourage gifted members to enter the literature ministry.” ~Elder’s Handbook, p. 91