One of my greatest joys in life is to work alongside someone. I love how Melanie and I can partner together on various projects in our yard to make it more beautiful. I enjoy working with one of my children on a building project and seeing them learn new concepts. And I am thrilled to have fellow comrades with whom I can work together in the ministry of Christ’s Church.
For the past several months, I’ve enjoyed meeting with a small group for elder training. A couple times each month, we get together to pray, study God’s Word, and consider how all theology is pastoral in application.
Every year, our elders ask those who are members of our church (people who have made a profession of faith, been baptized, and desire to identify with CBC) to affirm our elders and recommend the names of men who meet the qualifications of 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1. As elders, we prayerfully consider these names and have invited a small group to join me in Elder Training. The goal of our Elder Training is to see men grow in godliness in all of life and promote a sacrificial, servant leadership in our church.
As elders, we have prayerfully considered how each one of these men is making progress in the faith (1 Timothy 4:15). Once we have identified an individual and asked them to consider serving as an elder, we ask him to take time to pray with his spouse and/or a close and trusted friend, to take time to ask questions of one another and clarify expectations, roles, and responsibilities, and then come to a decision. When a potential candidate agrees to have their name put forward to the church, we ask for your feedback. Then after a period of 2-3 weeks where the elders have had feedback from the congregation, the elder candidate is publicly recognized by prayer, the laying on of hands, and a public commitment to the church.
After much prayer and having worked through these steps, the elders are pleased that Eric Schatzler has agreed to be an elder candidate. Eric has been a vital part of CBC for many years, and his love for the Lord and his church are evident to all. He displays a hunger for God’s Word, a passion for worship, a shepherding heart, and a longing for unbelievers to know Christ.
Please pray for Eric, Lorraine, and family. Pray for their faith to grow stronger, for their love for the Lord and one another to increase, and for the Lord to protect them from the evil one. If you have any questions or comments, we ask that you direct them to one of the active elders: Will Blanchette, Gary Bauman, Andrew Hall, or Gary Prickett.
Thank the Lord that he continues to equip the saints for the work of the ministry of his church here at CBC!
~Pastor Andrew
