Our church congregations choose and install the elders “for ourselves.” After a discussion of qualifications, etc and typically a vote by all members. Each church is independent so processes can vary-but not the qualifications.
I don't remember how I stumbled across your substack but it has been a blessing reading the past 4 entries. Our church too calls Elders from votes by the congregation after hearing him preach a number of times. We write a letter from the congregation that we voted to elect him pastor and if God is in the matter, he accepts and moves near the church if necessary. If he isn't ordained an Elder yet, we ordain him first by laying on of hands as it says in Acts. We try to only have traditions based on the church of the New Testament. Some think we're old fashioned in a lot of ways because of it but we hold to this original form of worship as Primitive Baptists. Also each individual congregation is independent as our only hierarchy is Jesus as our head.
This particular entry is especially relevant to me as we are currently looking for a new pastor since our previous Elder had to resign due to health reasons. A reminder for fasting and prayer indeed!
Thanks for saying so Ja. It means a lot to me. Doing substack posts is my favorite part of this new path, and personally the most rewarding. Next would be the podcasts with Steve. Thank you for sharing how your church approached things too. To me, based on my limited biblical knowledge, sounds like ya'll are on the right track compared to most western churches. Always a remnant out there 💙🙏
I've been part of Pastor "Call Committe" it is quite extensive. The congregation then votes on our recommendation. The commitment varied from fasting to prayer. Prayer at each meeting.
Problem comes with available candidate offering from Synod. Higher in church, higher political (woke) tendancy.
Our church congregations choose and install the elders “for ourselves.” After a discussion of qualifications, etc and typically a vote by all members. Each church is independent so processes can vary-but not the qualifications.
I don't remember how I stumbled across your substack but it has been a blessing reading the past 4 entries. Our church too calls Elders from votes by the congregation after hearing him preach a number of times. We write a letter from the congregation that we voted to elect him pastor and if God is in the matter, he accepts and moves near the church if necessary. If he isn't ordained an Elder yet, we ordain him first by laying on of hands as it says in Acts. We try to only have traditions based on the church of the New Testament. Some think we're old fashioned in a lot of ways because of it but we hold to this original form of worship as Primitive Baptists. Also each individual congregation is independent as our only hierarchy is Jesus as our head.
This particular entry is especially relevant to me as we are currently looking for a new pastor since our previous Elder had to resign due to health reasons. A reminder for fasting and prayer indeed!
Thanks for saying so Ja. It means a lot to me. Doing substack posts is my favorite part of this new path, and personally the most rewarding. Next would be the podcasts with Steve. Thank you for sharing how your church approached things too. To me, based on my limited biblical knowledge, sounds like ya'll are on the right track compared to most western churches. Always a remnant out there 💙🙏
I've been part of Pastor "Call Committe" it is quite extensive. The congregation then votes on our recommendation. The commitment varied from fasting to prayer. Prayer at each meeting.
Problem comes with available candidate offering from Synod. Higher in church, higher political (woke) tendancy.