Some Things I’ve Learned Since ‘They’ and ‘Them’ became ‘We’ and ‘Us’ in August 2008 Gospel Advocate.

Jim Faughn:

Central Church of Christ

Paducah KY

Reference your article "Some Things I've Learned Since 'They' and 'Them' became 'We' and 'Us' in August 2008 Gospel Advocate.

My name is John Jenkins. I retired in 1998 from The Mead Corporation (we killed trees and made paper) and my wife and I moved to Gatlinburg, TN from Ohio. We meet with Great Smoky Mountains Church of Christ in Pigeon Forge, TN a congregation of around 120 or so but you would not expect to see more than 80 or so at any one time. With 20,000 visitors each year our weekly attendance borders on 300 with highs in the 500s. The congregation has existed since 1992. At the moment we are early in the process of soliciting the congregation's suggestions as to who they believe should be considered as Elders. Earlier this year we had the obligatory series of lessons from the preacher on Sunday nights about church leadership. Considering who attends on Sunday evenings you can imagine the benefit the congregation appreciated from those lessons.

I read your article and found it to be a fresh approach to the subject. I have a general question: Why is it necessary for elders to meet separate from the men of the congregation (other than on those rare occasions when the subject is private or personal).

Congregations do not know how to work with elders with the result being the elders are a board of directors, a concept I believe to be anti-scriptural. Influential men such as Max Lucado do not help. When Max stepped down (his word) from the pulpit to become just a member, again (his words) he likened it to when the president of a university steps down and becomes a member of the faculty (his words). With that description we know the elders at that congregation are a board of directors with Max, the preacher, CEO.

The church does not prepare men to be elders. We have preacher schools but no elder schools. Right or wrong preachers have support for what they do while elders have none thus they are always on-the-job-training. Major disadvantage and we see the result in who runs congregations.

If we take the following steps, why would it be necessary for elders to meet separate from all the men (other than occasion mentioned earlier)?

• Preachers will stop running the local congregation and publishing their weekly publication and go off and preach the Gospel to those who are without hope and maybe take some of the congregation with them;
• Elders will pastor the individuals and do what they must be apt to do and that is to teach; Congregations must be of a size permitting elders to fulfill their responsibilities.
• Deacons, since they have similar qualifications as the Elders, will assist the Elders in all of their responsibilities under the direct guidance of said Elders;
• The congregants including the men considered elders or deacons will take care of the physical property, budget, study, attend, follow the leadership and encourage each other to love and good works and perform the work they have been encouraged to perform.

Again, nice article. If you do not have time to respond and maybe even tell me where I am missing the boat, I understand.

Regards

John Jenkins

425 Patterson Lane

Gatlinburg, TN 37738

865-430-4427 home

865-803-8179 cell

jrjenki@yahoo.com

Regards,
John Jenkins
865-803-8179 cell
Gatlinburg, TN
Email: jrjenki@yahoo.com
Website: http://www.greenbriersolutions.com/
Blog: http://littlepigeon.blogspot.com/

Hyperbole is the Best Thing Ever.