Men's Small Group: The Great Adventure
Village Bible Church || Sugar Grove, IL
Our Leadership
A team of elders who uphold the principles of plurality, equality, and consensus leads Village Bible Church.
The New Testament scriptures give examples of local churches being led by a plurality of godly leaders. The elders are given the ultimate responsibility and authority to see that the church remains on a Biblical course and the mission of the church is carried out. They are responsible for shepherding by insuring the feeding of the body through insightful, relevant and accurate Biblical teaching. Elders are to guide the life of the church with the assistance of other spiritually mature individuals. They are to care for the spiritual well-being of members and regularly pray for the sick. They are to guard the body against harmful influences, confronting those who are contradicting Biblical truth or who are continuing in patterns of sinful behavior [I Peter 5:1-5, Acts 20:28-31, Titus 1:9, James 5:14].
A team of elders who uphold the principles of plurality, equality, and consensus leads Village Bible Church.
The New Testament scriptures give examples of local churches being led by a plurality of godly leaders. The elders are given the ultimate responsibility and authority to see that the church remains on a Biblical course and the mission of the church is carried out. They are responsible for shepherding by insuring the feeding of the body through insightful, relevant and accurate Biblical teaching. Elders are to guide the life of the church with the assistance of other spiritually mature individuals. They are to care for the spiritual well-being of members and regularly pray for the sick. They are to guard the body against harmful influences, confronting those who are contradicting Biblical truth or who are continuing in patterns of sinful behavior [I Peter 5:1-5, Acts 20:28-31, Titus 1:9, James 5:14].
Elder Leadership:
· Although Jesus Christ is the head of His church, the scriptures teach that a local church is to be led by a group of individuals, called elders, whom He has gifted and called to serve.
· The governing authority of Village Bible Church rests with a group of biblically qualified elders.
· The elders are chosen to serve in submission to Christ and to the Word. Collectively, they are responsible for the oversight and spiritual care of the church.
Plurality: Village is led by an entire team of elders - not just one person.
Equality: Each elder has equal status and influence.
Consensus: Decisions are made only when each elder has given his consent.
Servant Leadership is our guiding principle.
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§ Able to teach § Above reproach § Husband of one wife § Not addicted to alcohol § Temperate § Not antagonistic § Prudent |
§ Not violent § Respectable § Free from the love of money § Hospitable § Manages his household well § Not a new convert |
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1 Tim. 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9; 1 Peter 5:1-4; 1 Thess. 5:12-13; Acts 20:17, 28-30; Hebrews 13:17 |
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Deacons: The New Testament teaches that elders ought to maintain the priority of the Word and prayer by delegating responsibilities to other qualified people who can assist them in managing and shepherding the church. In the New Testament, one of the titles given to such assistants was "deacon".
Deacons are to be models of spiritual virtue who stand alongside the elders and exhibit the following qualities:
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§ Worthy of respect § Above reproach § Not double tongued § Proven as servants § Not addicted to alcohol § Dignified § Temperate |
§ Not pursuing dishonest gain § Holding to the deep truths of faith with a clear conscience § Faithful in marriage § Managing their household well § Faithful in all things |
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1 Timothy 3:8-12 |
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