Elder Installation: Jonathan Horton
1 Timothy 3:1–7 The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. 2 Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3 not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. 4 He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, 5 for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God’s church? 6 He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. 7 Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil.
ELDER INSTALLATION
SCRIPTURE READING: 1 Peter 5:1–4 So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: 2 shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; 3 not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. 4 And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.
A PLEDGE FROM THE ELDER
Jonathan, having been called to be an elder 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 [Jonathan} as an elder and receive him as a gift of Christ to this church? “We do.”
2. As directed in the Scriptures, will you LOVE him as a brother, HONOR him as an elder, and PRAY for him as a minister so that our worship, community, and mission may display the gospel and glory of Christ? “We will.”
Jonathan, “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)