Elders affirmation!

Happy Thursday, Church!

At our Member’s Meeting after church on Sunday, we announced the results of the affirmation vote for our five Elder candidates. Brent Allan, Doug Goodwin, Matt Moench, Kory Queen, and Mike Tedrow were all affirmed and have joined Brian Peterson, Bob Slack, and Gary Warne on the Elder Team. During the affirmation process, we were encouraged to pray for our five Elder candidates, and I heard many of you do so during our family prayer times on Sunday morning. But that charge to lift them up in prayer did not end with the affirmation process. In fact, it is even more imperative that you continue to pray for our new Elders now that they have been affirmed.

In the opening verses of 1 Timothy 2, we are told to pray for “kings and all those in authority.” If first century Christians were called to pray even for the pagan Emperors who were persecuting them, how much more should we be in constant prayer for those who God has raised up to exercise spiritual authority within the church. We are told in Hebrews 13:17 that the leaders of the church have the responsibility for “keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account.” No doubt our newest Elders are feeling the weight of that new responsibility this week.

I would urge you to pray for all of our Elders: not just the five new ones, but also the three that have already been serving. Pray that God would grant our Elders the wisdom to lead well in their preaching and teaching (1 Timothy 5:17). Pray that he would give the Elder Team unity and harmony among themselves (1 Corinthians 1:10). Pray that he would give them the humility to be the kind of servants that Jesus describes in Matthew 20:25-28. And finally, pray that the Elders, Deacons, and Members of LTCC would each play their God-given part in the body of Christ, so that the body may grow and build itself up in love (Ephesians 4:16).

On behalf of the Elders and the Deacons,

Daniel Geske

Treasurer