A digest of the elder examination of Gerhard Wessels, 10 September 2026

This afternoon, the elders of Benoni Baptist Church (Mark Penrith, Andre Broodyk, and David Somerset), together with members, and pastors from Baptist Northern Association churches examined Gerhard Wessels for the office of elder at Benoni Baptist Church. We asked him questions. He answered. We listened.

The preamble

The New Testament is not silent about how Christ’s church is to be led. Paul tells Timothy that if a man aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a good work. And he then gives the qualifications. Not a list of skills, but a portrait of character. A man above reproach. A man who manages his own household well. A man able to teach. A man who is not a recent convert. Not suggestions. A standard.

And so examination matters. The process is not about making a man. It is about recognising the man God has already made. The qualifications of an elder are so woven into a man’s actual life that they must be assessed over time. Not just what he says, but what we can observe of his life. This is not a job interview. It is a sober assessment of a man’s fitness for a sacred trust.

The church ought to be careful about the leaders she appoints. From the earliest days, the apostles prayed. Fasted. And laid hands on tested men. This is not tradition. This is obedience to the Word of God. So when we examine a man, we are not performing a formality. We are doing the work of the church. We are testing the fruit. We are guarding the flock. The stakes are too high for anything less.

Here are Gerhard’s answers to the questions we posed:

Beliefs

Please affirm our Statement of Belief. What personal distinctives do you hold? Gerhard read our Statement of Belief that morning. He holds to it without reservation. Regarding distinctives, he holds to a consistent literal, grammatical, historical hermeneutic for all of Scripture. He is a Calvinist. He holds a Dispensational view. And is Premillennial. While detailing these distinctives, Gerhard affirmed, more than once, we should be gracious with one another, and charitable towards difference. He described himself as very conservative. And said, I want to know what the truth is, and I want to correct any view of mine that is not in line with God’s Word. Gerhard said he believes unity in the church matters more than winning an argument.

What is the gospel? The gospel is good news. Jesus, the Son of God, came to earth and lived as a man. He died as a substitute for us, absorbing the wrath of God, and rose from the grave. The gospel is the centre of our faith.

You described yourself as Premillennial. To what extent have you studied views other than your stated positions? I have looked up counterarguments. But I could spend more time thinking through other theological forms of eschatology.

Walk us through the Bible’s story? Gerhard did, from Genesis to Revelation. Creation. The fall. The flood. Patriarchs. Egypt. Sinai. The Law. The tabernacle. The Promised Land. The judges. The kings. The split. The exile. The return. Four hundred years of silence. John. Christ. Acts. The epistles. Revelation. The canon is closed. Gerhard did not stumble. He did not rush. He traced the line all the way through. He knows the old story and can articulate it clearly.

Practical ministry

Walk us through your sense of call? I love thinking about eternity. It is settled in my heart. In the end, everything is all about God. His glory. And I believe that the highest office in this age is the role of elder. I aspire to that role because I want the accountability. I want to be more holy. I want to glorify God in this life as best as I can.

Counselling as an elder, as a single man, how would you counsel couples? A woman? I wouldn’t counsel a woman one on one. This is not evasion. This is discernment. He knows that a man must guard his own heart and the reputation of the church. Gerhard pointed out that he is part of an elder team. Normally, one of the other elders would counsel couples. I can, however, speak to any biblical matter with certainty. Practical matters he would refer to one of the other brothers.

How do you see yourself engaging in the eldership going forward? Gerhard’s been in elder meetings for two years. First with a view, then later with a voice. Now he’ll have a vote. In his own words, I’ll continue in the vein that I’ve been in. Maybe contributing a little more. I see my role as the middle ground in the eldership. Rather than throwing my weight around I will keep things in the balance. Unity is important amongst the elders, and in the church.

How will you avoid theologically ganging up? In context, there are now a number of leaders in the church who are Calvinists, Dispensational, Cessationists. This question presses into a core concern expressed by members who hold differing views. Gerhard replied, Our Statement of Belief allows for differing views on a number of topics. I see my duty as an elder to protect the unity of the church and the flock. That is the role. I have distinctives, this is true. But I’m not going to beat folk up who disagree with me. I’ll preach what I believe. And defend truth as I see it in Scripture. But our common unity comes above my own personal views. It is important to note that these distinctives aren’t coming up every week in practical ministry. They aren’t at the forefront of everything that we do.

What are our congregations strengths and weaknesses, and where do you see yourself playing a role? I’m concerned about the spiritual depth of our people. I’m actively involved in a community life group. I love to disciple people towards maturity from a place of trust. This needs to be expanded out and I want to be part of making that happen.

What areas of ministry are you particularly called to and gifted to? I love to preach. Bible study, I love sharing what I know. I love teaching. * Andre pointed out, and Mark affirmed, that Gerhard is a natural carer.

How do you prepare to preach and teach? I start weeks in advance, selecting a passage. I try and understand what the author meant to his audience, and then apply it to our lives today. That takes me a long time to do. I pray for the Spirit’s help before I study, and I read a number of commentaries. I especially benefit from MacArthur’s commentaries. My objective is always to get to the main point of the text.

Personal life

Do your family know that you’re standing as an elder and how do they feel about it? They know I’m a deacon and in the leadership. They know I’m very involved in the local church. He noted that his broader family may not fully understand the high value Scripture places on the role.

Who holds you accountable? I’m accountable to God. I’m a harsh critic of my own conduct. I’m accountable to the congregation, if someone sees something that’s wrong, speak up. I’m accountable to the elders, David and Mark. Accountability is a guardrail. Accountability is a gift. I don’t have an accountability partner. I desire to not be a hypocrite. And I constantly am testing my life. * Mark pointed out, the elders have begun to spend time in our shepherding meeting asking one another about sin, fighting sin, and living holy.

What about your Bible study and prayer life? My Bible study feeds my prayer life. I need to spend more time in prayer for the congregation. I spend an hour and a half in Bible study at the beginning of the day. My knowledge of God has increased my capacity to pray. I’m involved in the congregational prayer meeting. I would like to pray more. I’m always aware of God, and I take Him into consideration in everything I do.

Personal questions

There were personal questions that we decided not to make public record. That is right. Some things are not for the whole congregation. Some things are for the elders. That is not secrecy. That is soul care.

David will bring a motion on behalf of the executive to confirm Gerhard at our AGM. After a year of congregational testing, we will now have the opportunity to affirm him. This is how the church works. The elders lead. The congregation affirms. The flock is guarded. And Christ is honoured.

The text says, Shepherd the flock of God among you. That is the charge. That is the weight. That is the joy. Pray for Gerhard. Pray for our elders. Pray for our church. Vote with your conscience. Vote with your Bible open. Vote with the glory of Christ in view.

To Him be the glory.