Elder Selection 2024

Please help us identify leaders among us!

Every eighteen months, we ask the church for recommendations on those who have shown pastoral strengths and other qualifications described in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1.  Those who are recommended will be considered for the eldership and, over the course of the selection process, will be put before the congregation to affirm their selection.
Submit My Recommendations
Please submit your recommendations by February 18, 2024.

Qualifications for Elders

Titus 1:6-9
An elder must be blameless, faithful to his wife, a man whose children believe and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient. Since an overseer manages God’s household, he must be blameless—not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain.

Rather, he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined. He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.
1 Timothy 3:1-7
Here is a trustworthy saying: Whoever aspires to be an overseer desires a noble task. Now the overseer is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. 

He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him, and he must do so in a manner worthy of full respect. (If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?) He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil. He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap.

We Need You

We are asking everyone who considers The Branch to be their church home to help us with this important process of discerning who God is raising up to serve as elders.

LEARN

Discern what The Bible says about the characteristics and qualities of shepherds and spiritual leadership.
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PRAY

Ask God to bring specific people to your mind. Pray and ask the Holy Spirit to inform your heart and mind through prayer and fasting.  
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DISCUSS

Consult with others with whom you’re in community.  Ask others you trust to affirm your recommendations.
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Thank you for serving!

These elders are rotating out of the eldership to observe at least a one-year sabbatical.  Please thank them for faithfully answering the call to serve our church body and for giving themselves to the work God is doing at The Branch.

Chris & Kristin Brewer

Farmers Branch Campus
Shepherding Council
Governance Council

Kendall & Lisa Castello

Farmers Branch Campus
Shepherding Council

Joel & Amy Ruf

Vista Ridge Campus
Shepherding Council
Governance Council

What is an Elder?

Elders (aka shepherds) are the leaders of our church and provide oversight for the congregation.
MEET OUR CURRENT ELDERS

Prayerfully consider men who fit these traits.

SHEPHERD

  • He already has a number of people in the church who know, respect, and follow him in the Lord.
  • His leadership style reflects Jesus’ model.
  • He has a positive attitude about The Branch, our values, and our mission.
  • He builds unity in everything he does.

MENTOR

  • He demonstrates Christian maturity (is not a new believer).
  • Others in the church look to him for spiritual direction and instruction.
  • He demonstrates a balanced life (family, church, career).
  • His wife is his spiritual partner in ministry.

EQUIPPER

  • He trains and teaches others how to serve.
  • He is a man of Bible study and prayer.
  • He is a builder of people--an encourager.

1 Peter 5:1-5

Shepherd the Flock of God

So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

Shepherds

The word "shepherd" is used interchangeably with "elder" as described in 1 Peter 5:1-5.

Shepherds Don't:

• Boss people around
• Think for everyone else
• Call the shots
• Make all the decisions
• Legislate in matters of opinion
• Grease the squeaky wheels

Shepherds Do:

• Keep watch over the church
• Care for and feed the flock
• Give guidance
• Preach and teach
• Exhort and admonish
• Act as an example
• Serve the church
• Prepare God’s people for service
• Pray over and annoint the sick

An elder need not be:

  • Outstanding in the business world
  • A good public speaker
  • A charismatic personality
  • Wealthy

Reflect on these Qualities and Questions

Keep in mind that these are qualities, not qualifications and not every elder will possess all of these qualities to the same degree.

Good reputation
Do others hold them in high regard?

Morally pure
Do their lives reflect moral and sexual purity, honoring their wives in everything?

Balanced life
How anchored/stable are they?

Wise
In uncertain situations, how sound is their judgment?

Good role model
Do their lives attract others to Christ?

Generous and caring
What kind of “hospital” are they?

Communicate well
Are their conversations non-threatening and not defensive?

Moderation
Do they have any addictive behaviors?  Do they over-indulge?

Humble
Are they teachable?  Do they always have to be in control?

Patient and forgiving
Are they vengeful or bitter?  Do they release offenses quickly?

Not abusive
Are they kind and respectful, even when provoked or angry?

Fair-minded
How considerate are they of others?

Peace-loving
How contentious are they? Do they strive for win/win scenarios?

Not materialistic
Do their spending habits honor God?

Good spouse/parent
Do you see God in the way they love their wives and parent their children?

Pursues Godly activities
Which do you see as the bigger magnet for them--the Spirit or the flesh?

Fair and not prejudiced
Are they equitable and impartial, and do they refuse to play favorites?

Holy, devoted to God
Do you see more of Christ in them today than a year ago?

Disciplined
Are they engaged in habits that help them continue to grow in Christ?

All recommendations must be submitted by
February 18, 2024

Use the button below to submit your recommendations.
Thank you for your prayerful participation.
SUBMIT MY RECOMMENDATIONS