Our elders meet every second week, alternating our attention between oversight and shepherding. This past Thursday we read Scripture, prayed, and exercised pastoral care. In keeping with our desire to remain transparent, here is a digest of key items from our meeting.
We read Sunday’s sermon passage, Titus 1:1-4. We made observations, and spoke about applications. And prayed that the truths in the text would be made clear and applied by our congregation.
We discussed the spiritual vitality of our own souls, and family. And we offered prayer for one another.
We discussed the spiritual vitality, and prayed for members under our care. We’re working through our membership list.
We reviewed sensitive situations. We offered one another counsel, and organised benevolent support where needed. We spent time in prayer for difficult scenarios.
We discussed the 32 member candidates. Some of which will come into membership this month, and some next. We’ll handle the 12 baptisms, 3 testimonies and 3 baptisms a week, over September.
We reviewed the outstanding elder and deacon nominations and renominations. All will be interviewed by the executive at our August meeting.
To assist the retired men who do maintenance on the building, we’ll give one of the homeless men who faithfully attends services a weekly piece job. The men will be enabled to serve, the man will be empowered to work, and the church will be uplifted.
We discussed ongoing leadership development. The men going through Becoming a Biblical Leader are ready for teaching opportunities. Four of them have been added to the team facilitating the membership classes. The other two, who are new converts or new members, are growing well.
Our upcoming ministry schedule was discussed. This Sunday Evans is preaching at Springs Baptist Church, and David is preaching at Dunnottar Baptist Church. Andre continues to assist at Umhlanga Baptist Church. Mark will be preaching through Titus in August. Xolani Nhleko from New Covenant Baptist Church will be invited to preach at the beginning of September while Mark is at the Muldersdrift Union Church camp. Mark will preach from Jonah in September. At the end of September Michael Alves from Antioch Bible Church will be invited to preach so Mark can celebrate his daughter’s wedding. In November Mark will preaching through 2 Corinthians 8. In August Mark has been invited to teach on faithfulness for Christ Seminary Alumni. And in October Mark has been invited to teach on The Sin of Being Quarrelsome at Heritage Baptist Church.
Thank you for your ongoing prayers as we seek to shepherd the flock God has entrusted to us.