INTRODUCTION

French Committee of Public Safety (1793): “The representatives of the convention must understand that a great responsibility is the inseparable result of a great power.”

William Lamb (1810): “The possession of great power necessarily implies great responsibility.”

Amazing Fantasy #15 (1962): “And a lean, silent figure slowly fades in the gathering darkness, aware at last that in this world, with great power there must also come great responsibility.”

David Kipnis, Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 1972
Paul Piff, University of California, Irvine, 2012

I. WHAT IS AN ELDER?

“Elder,” Gk. πρεσβύτερος (presbyteros), advanced in age or faith

Titus 1:6-9 – ““…if anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife,” in other words, faithful to his marriage, “and his children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination. 7 For an overseer, as God’s steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, 8 but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. 9 He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.” (See also: 1 Tim. 3:1-7)

Titus 1:5 – “This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you,”

II. WHAT DOES AN ELDER DO?

a. They shepherd
1 Pet. 5:1-3

“Shepherd,” Gk. ποιμαίνω (poimainō), “to feed, pasture, or tend to a flock”

Lk. 2:8 – “Shepherds,” Gk. ποιμήν (poimēn), noun form of verb

Eph. 4:11-12 (NIV, NASB, CSB, LSB): “So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up.”

Eph. 4:11 (ESV): “And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers.”

b. They lead
1 Peter 5:2

c. They discipline
Titus 3:10
1 Corinthians 5:1-2
1 Timothy 1:20

d. They pray
Ja. 5:14

e. They ordain
1 Tim. 4:14

III. WHO ARE OUR ELDERS?

1. Derrick Bledsoe
2. Dan Tripp (2023-2025)
3. Michael Lewis (2023-2025)
4. Brian Peterson (2024-2026)
5. Jason Lorch (2024-2026)

a. Mike Berkes & Jeff Gordon (2025-2027)

b. Robert Mangano & Mitch Hendon (2022-2024)