Elder Team

The Elder Team is an indispensable part of Redemption Gateway. While the Scriptures describe the character and basic functions of elders, many of the details about how an Elder Team should function are not described. In God’s wisdom, this allows a local church to adapt its leadership structure on the basis of its needs, size, location, context, staff, etc. Details and specifics are necessarily different at every local church.

This page is designed to explain how these details are played out at Redemption Gateway:

• the presuppositions that guide the overall structure and function of the elder team
• the qualities and responsibilities of the elders
• how those responsibilities play out at Gateway
• some guiding principles for functioning as a team
• the process by which elders are established

• Elders must consistently demonstrate the qualities described in 1 Timothy 3:2-7 and Titus 1:6-9.
  • For a more detailed explanation of these qualities, see Gene Getz, Elders and Leaders. Note regarding some of the more controversial qualities: (1) We take “able to teach” to mean an effective Bible communicator in a group setting. This does not mean “able to wow an auditorium full of people,” but it does mean “able to communicate in a practical, accurate, clear, and engaging way with at least a small group of people.” (2) We take “husband of one wife” to mean a one-woman man. Men who have experienced divorce must be considered on a case-by-case basis. (3) We take “submissive children” and “children who believe (faithful)” to mean that the man has been successful in raising obedient, honorable children. The specific outworking of this in any man’s life will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
• In addition to godly character, elders must demonstrate competency (the skills involved in leading ministry) and commitment, as well as share a high level of chemistry with the existing elders. This does not mean that the elders will all have the same personalities, temperaments, or gifts, but it does mean that they will have the ability to joyfully work together as committed ministry partners.
• Elders need to have attended Redemption Gateway for at least one year with a consistent track record of servanthood, ministry fruitfulness, and faithful giving to the church.

• Pray regularly for the congregation and staff. Like priests who go before God on behalf of the people, one of their primary ways to serve the church is through intercession.
• Keep a finger on the pulse of the congregation. Like shepherds who smell like sheep, they should know people, love people, and have a sense of what is happening in the lives of people.
• Provide wise counsel to Lead Pastor and senior staff. Like godly sages, they are able to offer perspective that is easy to miss in the day-to-day of ministry.
• Be a crisis team in waiting. Provide the church the security of knowing that if a genuine crisis hits, we’re ready. Like firefighters playing cards in the firehouse, they are prepared, connected, and ready if the bell should ring — and some days, bored enough almost to wish it would ring.
• Approve the big-picture budget. Like a board of directors for a company that is responsible for the overall budget and financial wellbeing but trusts a hired team of managers to steward allocated resources wisely, the elders set the parameters and give freedom to the staff to use resources in ways that are good and responsible.
  
• Carry out church discipline, in harmony with pastoral staff. Like parents, they step in and discipline wayward members as needed — with the intention to restore them into fellowship with Jesus and the church.
• Entrust ministry design and day-to-day leadership to Lead Pastor and staff. Like the owner of a sports franchise, they set the tone and empower the GM and coaches to succeed.
• Hold the keys of accountability. Should something go amiss with the Lead Pastor or staff, the elders can step in. Like brakes, they can immediately stop something that shouldn’t be happening (though brakes shouldn’t be ridden constantly).

The Elder Process consists of six steps.

1. Establish an Observable Track Record — Establish a known track record serving, leading and giving at Redemption Gateway with demonstrated leadership skills and observable fruit in ministry, marriage and family life.

2. Nomination Phase — The Elder Team may nominate and approach certain men whom the team thinks should prayerfully consider being an elder. When a Redemption Gateway member senses an internal call from the Holy Spirit to serve as an elder/pastor, he should make his desire known to the current Elder Team. Those men will confirm the calling and give further direction.

3. Applicant Phase — The Elder Team will assign each applicant a supervising elder, who will answer questions and be the primary point of contact for the applicant as he submits information, answers questions, and meets for a formal interview (with his wife).

4. Candidate Phase — Once a man has had his qualifications confirmed by the elders, he may enter a phase of preparation and evaluation for the specific work of eldership. This phase involves intentional mentorship by the current elders, study related to the roles, responsibilities and functions of elders, and participation in Elder Team meetings. In addition to preparing the candidate, the primary goal is to gauge the candidate’s fit and chemistry with the team. The time required to complete this phase will vary by individual.

5. Approval Phase — The candidate is brought before the congregation and the members of Redemption Gateway will be invited to give feedback about his life, conduct, and character. If a member is aware of any disqualifying sin or character flaw in an elder candidate, he or she will be urged to make the matter known to the existing elders, who will investigate the claim. Members will have a 4-week window in which to bring any concerns.

6. Installation — Following the satisfactory completion of all requirements, new elders will be installed publicly at a Redemption Gateway worship gathering.