Faithful and Fruitful: Essays for Elders and Deacons

Healthy churches have healthy elders and deacons. When a local congregation is blessed with faithful officers the results are bountiful (Acts 6:7). Faithful and Fruitful: Essays for Elders and Deacons provides current and future church leaders with an exciting opportunity of personal development. Like its companion (Called to Serve), this collection of essays offers biblical and practical essays written by seasoned churchmen drawing upon a wealth of leadership knowledge, experience, and wisdom. Engaging study questions for each essay can help readers make the most of the Bible’s instruction and encouragement for those tasked with the responsibility and privilege of leading Christ’s church. Continuing education is often required of secular thought leaders; should anything less be expected in Christ’s church? Contents: 1 Training Church Officers / 2 Practicing the Mission of the Church: Apostolicity in Action / 3 Positive Leadership: Leading Like Jesus (Not Rehoboam) / 4 Continuing in Prayer / 5 Elders and Deacons as Hospitality Leaders / 6 Ministering to the Sick and Dying / 7 The Office Bearer and Household Management / 8 Classical Christian Catechesis / 9 Managing the Offerings of God’s People / 10 Getting Acquainted with the Congregation’s Needs / 11 Avoiding Burnout / 12 Tending the Shepherd (1): Honorable Provision / 13 Tending the Shepherd (2): Sabbaths and Sabbaticals / 14 How to Evaluate Your Pastor / 15 How to Be a Clerk / 16 Navigating the Broader Assemblies: Serving at Classis and Synod / 17 How to Serve on a Pastoral Search Committee / 18 What Every Elder Needs to Know about Congregational Singing / 19 Encouraging Lay Witnessing / 20 Promoting the Work of Missions / Appendix A: A Sample Pastoral Review / Appendix B: The Role of Guest Sponsors in Our Churches / Appendix C: Study Questions / Appendix D: About the Editors and Contributors