creating a movement of gospel transformation through multiple congregations
God is doing amazing things at Midtown, and through Midtown, in this city. He loves using his people, the church, to accomplish those amazing things. He has given each of us gifts and roles through which he works to build his church and allow the gospel to transform not only our hearts, but also our communities. One of those roles is the role of ruling elder.
Ruling elders are qualified men who have been nominated by the church, approved by the session, trained and examined for the work, and finally voted on by Midtown’s members. They are first and foremost the chief servants of the church. Two of the ways the Bible calls them to offer this service is through oversight and shepherding. As overseers, they have a fiduciary responsibility on behalf of the church to ensure accountability of the staff to implement Midtown’s mission and values, as well as to provide appropriate financial controls and accountability. They safeguard the doctrine, teaching, and health of our congregations, in partnership with, and by providing accountability to, the teaching elders (more commonly called pastors) at each congregation. Ruling elders are also called to be shepherds, ministering alongside our teaching elders (again, think pastors), by providing spiritual care to members and attenders of our churches.
Together, the elders are called a “session.” Midtown Fellowship is one church, with one vision, one budget, and one session. All of our elders gather quarterly to do work that affects the entire family of Midtown congregations. The work of the session is also carried out by various committees and commissions, made up of elders and advisors who provide insight, wisdom, and perspective.
The session has specifically created Congregational Care Commissions (CCCs) for each congregation. These commissions have the authority of the session to carry out Midtown’s mission at each location, and allow our elders to focus on the work God is calling them to at their respective congregations. This is where the majority of their shepherding responsibilities are exercised, and is where one of the chief places they help to create and implement vision.
The session of Midtown Fellowship is inviting members of Midtown Fellowship to nominate men for the office of elder, at Midtown East and Midtown West specifically. When considering who to nominate, think through the following qualifications:
Once nominations are submitted, the congregation’s CCC will meet with each nominee to examine his life, gifts and calling. If all is in order, the session will invite the nominee to participate in officer training. The training will take several months as the candidate is discipled in theology, character, and servant leadership. At the end of this training, the respective CCC will again vote on who to recommend to the whole session. The session will then vote to recommend a slate of elders to the church as a whole, to be voted on in an all church member meeting, where a majority vote will allow him to be ordained for the office.
