We need many more elders – not slick self-confident professionals, but ordinary faith-filled men who are deeply dependent on Jesus. We need those who passionately love the Lord and can lead like David, with an upright heart and skilful hands (Psalm 78:72). This only takes place through training. God Himself tests and trains us, as He did with David, through tests of faithfulness (often in obscurity), obedience to God, disappointment and learning to follow well (especially when you don’t agree). Then, as leaders, we work together with the Lord to train those who are called to serve His people.
And so, the purpose of this manual is to help equip, inform, and upskill future elders as to the expectations and biblical requirements of the high calling of eldership. Because of the nature of the manual and being a ‘handbook’, not every statement is unpacked or nuanced comprehensively. The material here is a supplement to the training one would receive through exposure to leaders’ training times, personal mentoring, and, as mentioned earlier, the discipline and training the Lord gives through passing tests we all need to face.
