ELDER’S TRAINING SEMINAR

Based on the Elder’s Handbook

Ministerial Association of the Ministerial Association of the General Conference General Conference www.ministerialassociation.comwww.ministerialassociation.com

The Elder The Elder and Special and Special

ServiceServiceChapter 8 – Part 2

PurposePurpose• The practice of house dedication varies according

to culture and the wishes of each individual family.

• Some families may request the dedication when they purchase or build their home, some when they pay off the mortgage or move to a different place.

• It is an excellent opportunity to invite the neighbors.

House DedicationHouse Dedication

Who officiatesWho officiates• No license or ordination is required for house No license or ordination is required for house

blessing services.blessing services.

• An elder may perform the service, but should do An elder may perform the service, but should do so with the knowledge and cooperation of the so with the knowledge and cooperation of the pastor.pastor.

Order of service Order of service (See Elder’s Handbook)(See Elder’s Handbook)

House DedicationHouse Dedication

Who officiatesWho officiates• Usually no license is required for conducting a

funeral.

• In the absence of a minister, an elder may lead out. This should not be done, however, without the pastor’s approval.

FuneralFuneral

A diversity of traditionA diversity of tradition• Be sensitive to their grief traditions.

• Move away from traditional customs that go contrary to Christian principles.

• Biblical understandings on death, especially those customs that infer the immortality of the soul or the honoring of the spirits.

FuneralFuneral

Visit the familyVisit the family

• Share with them some of God’s promises and pray with them.

• You represent Christ to them.

FuneralFuneral

Offer church supportOffer church support

• Relatives can be located and notified of death, food can be prepared, telephone answered, small children cared for, and funeral details arranged.

FuneralFuneral

It is a special service which only elders, assisted by conference/mission leaders can perform, pastors cannot.

Difficulties of transitionDifficulties of transition•Difficult for the congregation.

•Difficult for the Pastor and his family.

New Parish InductionNew Parish Induction

Smoothing the transitionSmoothing the transition

• Bury the old.• Do not replace too soon.• It takes about three month before a congregation is

ready to welcome a new pastor.

• Celebrate the new.

Pastoral installation servicePastoral installation service

New Parish InductionNew Parish Induction

Who officiatesWho officiates• Local elders may officiate at an anointing

service in the absence of a minister, but with the pastor’s approval.

Preparing for the servicePreparing for the service• Where held.• Who attends.• Preparing the recipient.

Prayer for the SickPrayer for the Sick

• Encourage the sick person to examine his/her life before the anointing.

Order of serviceOrder of service

• Preliminary remarks.• The anointing prayer.• Concluding the service.

Prayer for the SickPrayer for the Sick

The family tie is the closest, the most tender and sacred of any on earth.

Who officiatesWho officiates• Only by an ordained minister.

Pastors restrictedPastors restricted• Some circumstances that forbid a minister to marry

a given couple.

• Pastor’s own decision.

WeddingWedding

Spiritual ceremonySpiritual ceremony

A church wedding involves:• A legal contract.• A spiritual commitment.

WeddingWedding

• Your ministry is vital to the ongoing growth and development of the church.

• Because of the unique leadership talents the Holy Spirit has given you, you can make a tremendous difference.

• Lean on Him for grace and guidance.

An Appeal for the EldersAn Appeal for the Elders

““Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, serving as overseersserving as overseers–not because you must, but –not because you must, but

because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; not lording it greedy for money, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never you will receive the crown of glory that will never

fade awayfade away.”.”

(I Peter 5:1-4)

An Appeal for all EldersAn Appeal for all Elders