Better Church Elders

What does the Bible have to say about our function as elders? What is it that we are meant to be and do?In this video Charles Hewlett (Baptist National Leader) talks to George Wieland about the Bible and eldership.Dr George Wieland is the Director of Mission Research and Training at Carey Baptist College. Prior to this he taught New Testament at Carey. He has been a Baptist pastor in the United Kingdom, and missionary in Brazil.To accompany this video, George has provided a Bible study looking at all the instances of elders in the New Testament - this is the provided reading for this video.There is also a study guide with 3 discussion questions, and an action to do together with your eldership or board group.These additional resources and be found online:lifelonglearning.nz/elders/episode-01

What is it that makes good governance? What do governors actually do?In this video Charles Hewlett (Baptist National Leader) talks to Mel Wilson about eldership and governance.Mel Wilson has worked as a project manager in the not for profit sector for the past 10 years, also holding governance roles and sitting on funding committees. Mel has been involved in the establishment of a number of charitable organisations and has experience working both on boards, and for boards. She is passionate about seeing the community sector thrive through strong leadership and has most recently been involved in delivering mentoring programmes for leaders in the community sector. Mel was a member of the Baptist Assembly Council for four years and is currently an elder at Northpoint Baptist Church in Taranaki and a trustee of the Northpoint Community Trust.Accompanying this video is a study guide with 3 discussion questions, and an action point to do together with your eldership or board group. There is also a reading to go a little deeper into the topic.These additional resources and be found online:lifelonglearning.nz/elders/episode-02

Big, medium or small – does one eldership model fit all churches? What are some of the options? Where does the pastor fit in to all this?In this video Charles Hewlett (Baptist National Leader) talks to Reti Ah-Voa and Grant Harris about models of eldership.Reti Ah-Voa is an Elder at Mangere Bridge Baptist Church (Auckland, New Zealand). She is also the Pacific Island Cultural Advisor and Tutorial Support and Assistance person for Maori and Pasifika students at Carey Baptist College. She is of Samoan, Chinese and Cook Island descent.Grant Harris is the Senior Pastor at Windsor Park Baptist Church (Auckland, New Zealand). He was a banker before God led a change of career. Grant is also Chaplain to the SkyCity NZ Breakers Basketball club, who have won the Australian NBL Championship four times in his tenure as Chaplain. He is the chair of several boards.Accompanying this video is a study guide with 3 discussion questions, and an action point to do together with your eldership or board group. There is also a reading to go a little deeper into the topic.These additional resources and be found online:lifelonglearning.nz/elders/episode-03

How does the Bible remain the foundational guide for our belief and behaviour as a church? What practical things can we do to keep the Bible central in our leadership? In this video Charles Hewlett (Baptist National Leader) talks to John Tucker (Carey Baptist College) about bringing the bible into decision making.Dr John Tucker is the Principal of Carey Baptist College, and lectures in church history and homiletics. He also coordinates Carey’s School of Preaching, which resources preachers throughout New Zealand. Prior to working at Carey, John was a Baptist pastor.Accompanying this video is a study guide with 3 discussion questions, and an action point to do together with your eldership or board group. There is also a reading to go a little deeper into the topic.These additional resources and be found online:lifelonglearning.nz/elders/episode-04

What things contribute to healthy relationships? What are some of the pitfalls we must try and avoid?In this video Charles Hewlett (Baptist National Leader) talks to Jonny Weir about maintaining healthy relationships within church leadership teams.Jonny Weir is the Director of Ministry Training at Carey Baptist College. Before this role he had 25 years of pastoral experience, working with youth and then as a Senior Pastor.Accompanying this video is a study guide with 3 discussion questions, and an action point to do together with your eldership or board group. There is also a reading to go a little deeper into the topic.These additional resources and be found online:lifelonglearning.nz/elders/episode-05

Where do we find new elders? What training will make us even better? How can we support our pastor and staff more?In this video Charles Hewlett (Baptist National Leader) talks to Mike Crudge about strengthening our eldership teams.Dr Mike Crudge is the Director of the Carey Centre for Lifelong Learning (Auckland, New Zealand). He has been a Baptist pastor in two churches.Accompanying this video is a study guide with 3 discussion questions, and an action point to do together with your eldership or board group. There is also a reading to go a little deeper into the topic.These additional resources and be found online:lifelonglearning.nz/elders/episode-06