Acts 20:17, 28
"Now from Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called the elders of the church to come to him... Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood."
Today's Prayer Focus
- For our elders, who have been elected by the church: Danny Anderson, Ed Holtz, Bart Johnson, Mike Mikkelson, and Richard Hostetter.
- For Jim Cunningham, who will be presented to the congregation for election as elder.
- For the spiritual and family lives of our elders; for hearts and lives shaped by the gospel.
- For God’s grace as they pray for and shepherd those under their care.
- For God’s wisdom in decisions, as we meet to pray and chart the course for the future.
"Elders to Care for the Church"
Mike Tilley
God loves his church, referred to in 1 Peter 5:2 as “the flock of God.” Elders who shepherd God’s flock have been made overseers by the Holy Spirit. And the church was obtained by the blood of Christ. What does it mean that elders are called to shepherd the flock of God?
First, shepherds are called to know their flock. At LBC, elders giver oversight to around 15-20 individuals or families. They know their names, and they pray for them.
Second, shepherds are called to feed the flock. While this feeding happens through sermons, small groups, and classes, elders are accountable for the quality of teaching.
Third, shepherds lead the flock. They give thought to the future of the church, and they are called to lead by example.
Fourth, shepherds guard the flock, seeking to protect the church from false teaching, divisiveness, and destructive behaviors that harm the church and dishonor God.
While the calling is a high one, elders are acutely aware of their inadequacy and need for God’s grace. Today, let’s pray for our elders and their families.
Mike Tilley is the senior pastor of Lake Baldwin Church, and has lived in Orlando since 1994. He and his wife, Molly, worked with a core group from the Baldwin Park community to plant Lake Baldwin Church in 2006. Mike loves teaching the Bible in a way that relates to real life. In his spare time, Mike enjoys good movies, long dinner with friends, snow skiing, hanging out with his kids and two granddaughters, and travel.