New Member Course: Leadership Structure and Member Responsibilities

This four-part course is presented to new member candidates for the purpose of demonstrating the importance and aspects of membership in a local church. This concluding session considers the role of elders and deacons and the responsibilities of members.

Ephesians 5:23,4:11-12,+2+Timothy+1:6-14
Acts 20:17,20:28
Philippians 1:1
1 Peter 5:2
1 Timothy 5:17
Hebrews 13:17
2 Timothy 1:6-14

Matt Courtney
Crossroads Christian Fellowship Church
Greenville, PA

Acts: Here's Why!

In the book of Acts, the Church was being established. We here at Crossroads believe that the present day church should follow the pattern of the church originally established by Christ and His appointed apostles. We will watch these Apostles in action, and we will see answers to such questions as: Why does the church meet on Sunday? Why the Lord's Table? Who are to be the church's leaders? How is the church supposed to work? These are important questions, especially in a day when there seems to be a free-for-all approach to how we are to do church! God has not left us to flounder... He has given us lots of direction. And, if we follow that direction, we will be blessed!! Isn't it always that way!!

Acts 20

Pastor Todd Jaussen
Crossroads Christian Fellowship Church
Greenville, PA

1 Peter: Elder, Shepherd, Overseer

Who is supposed to lead the local church? In our generation Christians are revisiting this question and returning to a Biblical Eldership. Peter has much to say to elders as a fellow-elder... and much to say to all of us about how Christ's church is to be governed.

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Acts 20:17-38,14:21-23
1 Peter 5:1-5
1 Timothy 3:1-7,5:17
Titus 1:5-9
Hebrews 13:17
Matthew 20:24-28

Sermon discussion questions for parents to use with their children:

• Why did God appoint elders for the church?
• What did Peter tell the elders they were and were not supposed to do?
• How are we supposed to relate to the elders?
• Why are they important on our pilgrimage to heaven?
• How are we supposed to treat each other according to this text?

Pastor Todd Jaussen
Crossroads Christian Fellowship Church
Greenville, PA

Biblical Exhortations to Elders and the Congregation

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1 Peter 5:1-4
1 Timothy 4:6-7,12,16,5:1-2,17-22
Hebrews 13:17
2 Timothy 2:2-3,15,3:12-13,16-17
Titus 1:9,2:7-8
James 3:1
1 Corinthians 16:13
1 Thessalonians 5:12-13

“How shall we feel when we see in glory those who were entrusted to our care on earth? How shall we feel when we meet those who were brought to faith through our words, guided safely by our counsel, matured and strengthened by our care? Will we not experience an exultant, humble gladness when we realize that, in spite of much failure and felt weakness, we have been enabled to play a part in their everlasting happiness? When they speak freely of what God did for them through us, will our hearts not be filled to overflowing? Samuel Rutherford, the Covenanting preacher, was imprisoned in Aberdeen for loyalty to King Jesus. From that prison, on 13 July, 1637, he appealed affectionately to his congregation to trust the Savior: ’My witness is above; your heaven would be two heavens to me, and the salvation of you all as two salvations to me’. The elder, meeting even one soul from his flock at God’s right hand, will have ‘two heavens, two salvations’. We may hope to meet many more of our people than that.” Edward Donnelly, Peter Eyewitness of His Majesty

“Unless elders keep this end in view, it can never come about that they will proceed in the course of their calling in earnest…because there are innumerable hindrances which can discourage the most prudent. They have often to do with ungrateful men, from whom they receive an unworthy reward; long and great labors are often in vain; Satan sometimes prevails with his wicked devices. So then, to prevent the faithful servant of Christ from being cast down, there is this one and only remedy, to turn his eyes to the coming of Christ.” John Calvin

Pastor Todd Jaussen
Crossroads Christian Fellowship Church
Greenville, PA