The Lord provides Elders and Deacons for His Church

May 7, 2023, our church called two new elders and two new deacons. The following Sunday, we had an installation service to praise the Lord for His provision. You will find below, a video of the installation service as well as the text of the pledges the elders and deacons made to the Lord and His church. May God glorify Himself as we serve Together for the Gospel.

ELDER INSTALLATION

SCRIPTURE READING: 1 Peter 5:1-4

ELDER PLEDGE

[Names], having been called to be elders by the Lord Jesus Christ, affirmed as such by His Church, and enabled solely by His grace, I ask you to make the following pledges of faithfulness to the LORD and His Church as you fulfill this calling:

#1 A Pledge of Faithfulness to the SCRIPTURES

Do you believe the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments to be the Word of God, inspired by the Holy Spirit, and the supreme, final, only infallible rule of faith and practice? “I do.”

#2 A Pledge of Faithfulness to our CHURCH POLITY

Will you fulfill your office in obedience to Jesus Christ, under the authority of His Word, with the help of His Spirit, in accordance with the Confession, Covenant, and Constitution of this church, and in mutual submission to your fellow elders? “I will.”

#3 A Pledge of Faithfulness in your PERSONAL LIFE

Will you conduct your own life, and the life of your family, according to the pattern of Christ, and to make yourself a wholesome example to the church? “I will.”

#4 A Pledge of Faithfulness in your TEACHING

Will you study the Scriptures diligently and call upon God in prayer for the true understanding of them, so that you may be able to teach sound doctrine and guard against false doctrine? “I will.”

#5 A Pledge of Faithfulness in your PASTORAL MINISTRY

And now, relying on the grace of God, will you take the responsibility of eldership in the life of this church, to oversee the ministry and resources of the church, to devote yourself to prayer and the ministry of the Word, and to shepherd God’s flock, whom Christ purchased with His own blood, so that Winchester Baptist Church may be blessed? “I will.”

A PLEDGE FROM THE MEMBERS OF THE CHURCH

HEBREWS 13:7, 17 Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith. ... 17 Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.

1. Do you, the members of Winchester Baptist Church, publicly recognize [Names} as elders and receive them as a gift of Christ to this church? “We do.”

2. As directed in the Scriptures, will you LOVE them as brothers, HONOR them as elders, and PRAY for them as ministers so that our worship, community, and mission may display the gospel and glory of Christ? “We will.”

[Names]: “May the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.” (Hebrews 13:20-21)

DEACON INSTALLATION

SCRIPTURE READING: Acts 6:1-7

DEACON PLEDGE

#1 A Pledge of Faithfulness to the GOSPEL

The Scriptures teach that a deacon must “hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience.”

With a clear conscience, do you reaffirm your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and hold to His Gospel as it is defined in our confession of faith? (I Do)

#2 A Pledge of Faithfulness to GODLINESS

You have been called to the office of deacon because we see God’s grace in the godliness of your character, in the steadfastness of your faith, in the reliability of your service, and in the faithfulness of your home.

 By God’s grace, will you continue to walk in a manner that is worthy of the Gospel? (I Will)

#3 A Pledge of Faithfulness to the CHURCH

Deacons are charged with the responsibility to care for practical ministries and promote unity within the church so that the elders can devote their attention to shepherding the church through the Word and prayer. This partnership — elders and deacons serving together for the Gospel — promotes the health of our church and displays the gospel and glory of Christ.

 Will you now accept the office of deacon out of a love for God, a desire to partner with the elders to serve this church, and a commitment to advance the gospel and the glory of Christ? (I Will)

[Names], May you serve well as a deacon, and thereby gain a good standing for yourself and a great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.

[This Deacon Pledge is a reflection 1 Timothy 3:8-13]