Answer: His Call - Not Available

by Jim Estep, David Roadcup, Gary Johnson

The world at its worst needs the Church at her best.
A practical resource for the equipping of congregational leaders who serve as elders of the Church.
"Since the Bible specifies elders to be the overseers of the church and since we are a people who respect The Book, we need to consider how to make the God-given system work more effectively. 1 Timothy 3, Titus 1, and 1 Peter 5 are in the Bible for a purpose. The problem isn't with God design, it's with our implementation of His plan.
That's why this book about the role of eldership is desperately needed and can be extremely helpful. James Estep, David Roadcup, and Gary Johnson have the theological credentials and practical experience to shed some light on how God intended His church to be shepherded. Jesus Christ is still the only hope of the world, the church is still His body on the earth, elders are still the pastors of His flock and the time in which we live demand the best we can give. So study and implement the principles set forth in this book so the church can be as the Lord intended it to be -- a city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden."
-From the foreward by Bob Russell

110 pages, Paperback

First published June 23, 2009

Reviews

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is the initial volume in a series of four books written as "a practical resource for the equipping of congregational leaders who serve as elders of the Church." The three authors, Jim Estep, David Roadcup, and Gary Johnson, have in this volume addressed the divine call of the elder to serve as a leader within the congregation. "Chapter 1 addresses the nature of the call placed on an elder's life as a leader within the congregation. Chapter 2 speaks of the spiritual conversion and transformation necessary in the life of an elder. The qualifications for eldership are surveyed in Chapter 3, while Chapter 4 provides models for the elder selection process. Chapter 5 introduces us to the idea of elder governance, what role and function an eldership plays in the life of a congregation. The final chapter discusses the value and importance of having elders accountable to other elders, spiritually and pastorally, through peer evaluations." (12)

As an elder in my church this book provides some challenges for me as I consider how to implement these ideas in my life, but at the same time provides answers for some questions I've had for many years about the role and function of elders in a local church. I would recommend this book for any congregational leader seeking to be more effective in their service to the Church and community.

[Andy Goodrich]

This is a wonderful tool for teaching and evaluating a biblical perspective on the role of elder.