This course is intended to be part of the preparation leading up to the ordination of a man to the office of elder in the Church of a Lutheran Brethren congregation. The course covers the Biblical and theological knowledge, the ministry skills, and the character traits of an effective elder. The topics include the biblical basis for the eldership, the values of a Gospel-shaped life, servant leadership, spiritual care, protecting the church from error, and discipling new leaders.
Instructors: Joel Egge and Eugene Boe
What You Will Learn
- To anticipate what you will learn and why it is important for serving as a church elder
- To summarize and support Biblically the CLB Statement of Faith
- To summarize the biblical basis for the calling, roles, and responsibilities of an elder
- To know the CLB’s teaching on the office of elder
- To value and express a gospel-shaped life
- To understand how to lead with a servant spirit
- To know how to demonstrate effective pastoral care of pastors, elders, and the congregation
- To understand your role in protecting the Lord’s flock (the church) from false teaching and other temptations
- To be alert to preparing additional elders and other leaders in the church
Course Objective
To provide the knowledge and skills that will enable a man to begin to serve as an elder who shepherds God’s people as one of Christ’s undershepherds in a local congregation, exhibiting the convictions and character of a disciple of Christ.
Required Textbooks
- Olsen, Warren and David Rinden, Explanation of Luther’s Small Catechism, Lutheran Brethren Pub. Co., no date.
- Thune, Robert H. Gospel Eldership: Equipping A New Generation of Servant Leaders Greensboro, North Carolina: New Growth Press, 2016.
- Ysteboe, Timothy, We Believe, Fergus Falls, Minnesota, Lutheran Brethren Pub. Co., 2009.
- Several other documents are available online in the course.
Course Module Topics
- You’ve Been Invited to Become an Elder
- An Elder Believes
- An Elder Is Called
- An Elder Leads and Feeds
- An Elder Values
- An Elder Serves
- An Elder Cares
- An Elder Protects
- An Elder Mentors