Gospel Eldership

I’m being helped and want to recommend the book Gospel Eldership by Bob Thune to you.  Having worked through rewriting bylaws nearly 12 years ago and continuing to look for material that serves our Elders well, I’ve continue to look for resources that help us.  I love the vision found in this book.  So, here are some quick things I enjoy and am helped by in this:

1. Everything is rooted in Gospel realities.  Whether it’s character qualifications or the work that an Elder is to do, many of us are very aware of how we don’t measure up to this high calling.  Thune takes us to Gospel truth and this is encouraging.
2. The outline is simple.  The book lays out as character and work.  So, there are few helpful chapters on what an elder is to BE, followed by what an elder is to DO.  I like the simplicity of the approach.
3. The book comes with many exercises designed to get groups talking.  One of the exercises requires that you speak with your spouse about an item and they have to sign that the conversation took place.  Many times, thinking about things like this can become an “out-there” discussion.  But, these exercises keep the learning in our hearts.
4. It’s easy used with a group.  I’m using it to meet with a small group of men and talk about the elder’s life and work.  The book is helpful.
5. There’s a chapter on “Mission.”  I’m preparing to write on this in another post, but much of ministry builds into maintenance type work.  But, Elders have to be relentlessly focused on mission.  This curriculum includes this in the elder’s work.  This is helpful to me, challenging, and a healthy vision for the future work of the church.

So, for these reasons, among others, I’m happy to recommend Gospel Eldership to you.