Eldership Training: Recent Episodes
Four12 Global NPC
This 16-session training series is aimed at equipping elders with both the practical insight & tools to lead their congregations well.
Authority and responsibility are inseparable. In this final session, Mike Davies warns us that elders will be held responsible for leading the sheep; it is a great privilege and awesome responsibility. Elders have been delegated authority by Jesus to lead the people and look after His bride, preparing her for His return.
In the first session of the Eldership Training series, Mike Davies emphasises the importance of submission. The term ‘Yes Man’ is often used in a derogatory sense. Yet, in some ways, we all need to be yes men! We are called to make the lives of our leaders a joy and not a burden. In this way, we all need to be yes men - easy to lead, trust and team players.
There are character qualifications for elders in the Bible. In the second session of Eldership Training, Mike Davies looks at the character qualifications for elders through a modern lens. He encourages us to regularly audit ourselves against the Biblical list and the principles it represents.
In this third session of Eldership Training, presented by Mike Davies, he shares more about the link between faithfulness and fruitfulness and where we may need to adjust.
In the fourth session of the Eldership Training, Mike Davies explores the various defaults and biases we have and looks at how we can compensate for them to represent Jesus well, bringing balance through Scripture.
Is our identity genuinely rooted in Christ? Mike Davies explains that we shouldn't value our own contribution, gifting or opinion too highly or find our value in the function we fulfil, but rather with humility, play our position in the team.
There has been much confusion about the role of elders wives; what is expected of wives and what can and should they be doing in the life of the church? The sixth session of Eldership Training, presented by Mike Davies, emphasises that we each have a responsibility to exercise whatever gifts and calling the Lord has for us. We should all live in obedience to Christ, not the expectations of man.
*Disclaimer: As with any area of our lives, we need to maintain a healthy balance. The purpose of this video is not to see any person doing less than Jesus asks them to do. Our aim is to see all of our elder’s wives understand that they play an invaluable part within the team and have a responsibility to exercise whatever gifts and calling the Lord has for them. Life should be lived in obedience to Christ, not the expectations of man nor the imagined obligations of the non-existent office of ‘elder’s wife’.
The parable of the tenants tells a scary story. In this parable, Jesus speaks of how a tenant kills the son of a landowner in an attempt to keep the inheritance for themselves. In this session, Mike Davies reminds us that in today's world, church leaders can reject what Jesus is saying because they fear losing their position of power. We need to recognise that Jesus is the Head and that we must submit to Him - whatever the cost. He builds His church - not us.
Unity brings blessing! In this session, Mike Davies encourages us towards Godly unity, where we balance diversity but remain united. We find true, Godly unity when we each focus on, are found in, and follow Christ. We need to be of one heart, mind and purpose and guard the unity of the saints.
In this session, Mike Davies explains that preaching is just one of the many tools we have to lead and shape people. We must make the most of our preaching opportunities and work together with our leaders to transform lives by the Word that is taught.
We must know what a healthy church looks like. It is equally important to have an accurate perception of our own congregations. In this tenth session, Mike Davies remind us of the importance of regular audits and outside perspective when it comes to the health of our congregations.
In this session of the Eldership Training series, Mike Davies compares elders to shepherds. Scripture describes elders as shepherds. We need to be faithful in looking after the sheep God has entrusted to us. This requires living among and spending time with the sheep, giving of ourselves to the church and making sure that each saint is being discipled.
Do we truly trust the deacons to fulfil important roles within the life of the church? As an eldership and leadership team, we need to understand the role of a deacon in the church and partner with them effectively. This session, presented by Mike Davies, expands on the role of deacons in ensuring a healthy church.
In this session of Eldership Training, Mike Davies reminds us that there are, among us, incredibly gifted people; we need to recognise this and allow people to serve in the way they have been called and gifted by Christ.
We need to be able to lead strong people and release them into all that God has for them. In this session, Mike Davies emphasises the importance of consistently recognising, equipping, and releasing new leaders.
In this session, Mike Davies reminds us of the privilege it is to be part of an apostolic household. Elders should work in partnership with the apostolic to build a healthy church. We must be open to inviting apostolic gifts to help, audit and add what we are lacking to our local congregations.