Edited by William Boekestein and Steven Swets
Foreword by Michael Brown
Healthy churches have healthy elders and deacons. When a local congregation is blessed with faithful officers the results are bountiful (Acts 6:7). Faithful and Fruitful: Essays for Elders and Deacons provides current and future church leaders with an exciting opportunity of personal development. Like its companion (Called to Serve), this collection of essays offers biblical and practical essays written by seasoned churchmen drawing upon a wealth of leadership knowledge, experience, and wisdom. Engaging study questions for each essay can help readers make the most of the Bible’s instruction and encouragement for those tasked with the responsibility and privilege of leading Christ’s church.
Continuing education is often required of secular thought leaders; should anything less be expected in Christ’s church?
Paperback, 328 pages
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Contents:
Abbreviations xi
Foreword: Michael G. Brown xiii
Preface xv
One
Training Church Officers -1
William Shishko
Two
Practicing the Mission of the Church: Apostolicity in Action 13
Jeff DeBoer
Three
Positive Leadership: Leading Like Jesus (Not Rehoboam) 29
William Boekestein
Four
Continuing in Prayer 49
Daniel R. Hyde
Five
Elders and Deacons as Hospitality Leaders 65
William Boekestein
Six
Ministering to the Sick and Dying 81
Richard Anjema
Seven
The Office Bearer and Household Management 95
Derrick Vander Meulen
Eight
Classical Christian Catechesis 107
R. Scott Clark
Nine
Managing the Offerings of God’s People 121
William Godfrey
Ten
Getting Acquainted with the Congregation’s Needs 133
William Godfrey
Eleven
Avoiding Burnout 145
Andrea Ferrari
Twelve
Tending the Shepherd (1): Honorable Provision 159
Peter H. Holtvlüwer
Thirteen
Tending the Shepherd (2): Sabbaths and Sabbaticals 169
Peter H. Holtvlüwer
Fourteen
How to Evaluate Your Pastor 181
Christopher J. Gordon
Fifteen
How to Be a Clerk 195
Mark H. Vander Pol
Sixteen
Navigating the Broader Assemblies: Serving at Classis and Synod 207
Ronald Scheuers
Seventeen
How to Serve on a Pastoral Search Committee 221
Bradd L. Nymeyer
Eighteen
What Every Elder Needs to Know about Congregational Singing 231
Jonathan Landry Cruse
Nineteen
Encouraging Lay Witnessing 247
R. Scott Clark
Twenty
Promoting the Work of Missions 263
Michael G. Brown
Appendix A: A Sample Pastoral Review 273
Appendix B: The Role of Guest Sponsors in Our Churches 277
Appendix C: Study Questions 283
Appendix D: About the Editors and Contributors 305
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A reader comment:
Satisfied and Edified (5 star review)
Quality material. Delivered on time and in a professional way. Once again edified and fully satisfied with the work of Reformed Fellowship!
Rev. P.
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Also available in eBook format: Click here
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Click on icon below for a Sample Pastoral Review.
(Downloadable/printable 2 page PDF)
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