3-Feb-10 Elders' Meeting Roundup The elders met last night for the regular monthly meeting.  The following are some of the items of interest:

• we began a new devotional series, since the meetings are no longer preceded by prayer meetings.  First up is a study of the Scriptural office of elder using With a Shepherd's Heart: Reclaiming the Pastoral Office of Elder by John R. Sittema.  We found the first chapter inspiring and challenging, and a good reminder of our calling.  Please pray that God would bless this study not only to our increased faithfulness among His flock, but that we would also see fruit from it in the lives of the congregation.
• we considered a request from the Bible League that we would take an offering for their ministry.  They distribute Bibles in foreign countries, focusing especially upon poor areas.  An important part of the ministry is that they do this through the local church as part of a Bible study and discipleship program, and the training of teachers in the local church as well.  We will be viewing a video about this ministry at the afterparty for the next couple weeks and receiving a special offering for the Bible League on February 21.
• we received a report that due in part to significant front-loaded expenses at the beginning of the year, giving in January fell significantly short of expenses
• we received a report that the emergency collection for Haiti was $555
• we were reminded of the dates for the General Assembly, and at the next meeting we will revisit the matter of delegating ruling elders
• we delegated elders Gary Vander Hart and Craig De Haan to represent Harvest at the February 13 Presbytery meeting, with elder Matt Van Essendelft as alternate
• we approved pulpit leave for James on the evening of February 14, to attend the particularization of a PCA church in Sioux Falls; and, all day on April 11, to attend a conference and to preach in the worship of his former congregation in Mississippi
• but the bulk of the meeting was spent thanking God for the work that he has been doing in specific families' lives, thinking carefully about how to continue in shepherding them, and then praying for God's wisdom, help, and blessing upon the whole thing.  With God's help, we are taking this privilege and responsibility very seriously, so when an elder calls and would like to visit with you, please do your best not just to make time for the meeting but to come prepared to do serious thinking before God about the care of your souls and the souls of those who have been entrusted to you.  Remember--our sufficiency for this is from God, indeed it is Jesus Himself, whose benefits are applied to us by His infinitely powerful Holy Spirit!

The elders are thankful for all of your honor, encouragement, and obedience in the Lord; but, especially for your prayers.  As we do this work, we often feel (and sometimes express, if not in the exact words), "who is sufficient for these things?"  Our sufficiency is of God.  And He is pleased to respond to your prayers by being sufficient to us and for us.

Labels: Announcements, Elders' Meetings

  ¶ 7:37 PM