The “Lead” in a Leader
June 18, 2008 6:34 pm Blogs
“Lead” pronounced lɛd has the atomic number 82. It is a soft metal and is both malleable yet heavy. It is used in the construction of buildings, batteries, bullets and in bringing up the body of Christ. For the last three months I have been working diligently to: provide a document outlining our convictions and goals for leadership in the church, establish a clear process for developing leaders from within and attracting solid leaders from the outside, and lastly supplying accountability and support for the time between now and when The Resolved Church will have other elders besides me. This journal entry is devoted to outcome of that labor.
Step One - Plural Eldership Document
As part of the Acts 29 Network, we The Resolved Church prescribe to their doctrinal statement and have also signed a covenant committing to plural eldership as the model of government we follow for leadership in our church. If you are unfamiliar with what plural eldership is, we now have a document you can read which biblically explains and clarifies what we are striving to attain and develop into. You can download it HERE or view it here: www.theresolved.com/leaders.htm
Step 2 - Leadership Development Process
Putting things into order and appointing elders is a process which takes place over time. Two main avenues have been created both for attracting potential leaders from the outside and developing leaders from within. First is a document describing what the actual process is in our context for one to become an elder at The Resolved Church. Second is an internship course, designed to provide a structure and a format for hands on training. You can read the leadership development document HERE or view it here: www.theresolved.com/leaders.htm You can also read about the Internship Course on that page or download the prospectus HERE
Step 3 - Exposure of the Virtual Elders
We have reached a stage in The Resolved Church where the development of leaders and the public exposure of our virtual elders is a necessary part of our growth and health as a church. Virtual, means these “elders” are not full fledged elders in the biblical understanding (see the above document) but are really more like pseudo elders who provide support and accountability for Pastor Duane. They are men who are outside the context of our local church body, who, if they were part of our church, would be qualified to serve in that role. All three of the virtual elders have really been already functioning in this role with Pastor Duane for a couple years now. Exposing them is meant to give our church confidence and security in our current leadership state until we reach a true biblical plural eldership. Our Virtual Elders are Gary Warkentin, Ted McCann, and Nathan Downey. You can now see their pictures and read brief biographies about them on our bios page: www.theresolved.com/bios.htm
Well, this entry didn’t really talk about how much lead (lɛd) it takes to be a leader…I assure you, it’s a lot. 
To be malleable and yet heavy is not easy. But with a confidence in the Bible’s teaching and call for plural elder leadership, as well as some solid guys to help us in the time between the time, I am confident that God will get his glory, Jesus will be shown as the chief Shepherd, and that He will build his church.
Much love to you all,
- Pastor Duane