Eldership Testimonial - Redeemer Bible Church

One of the great things about elder-led churches is the effect it has on people’s lives. Check out this testimonial below from a woman at Redeemer Bible Church in Minnetonka, MN. This church is led by a wonderful group of mature men, including one special pastor, Bob Glenn – check them out at http://www.redeemerbiblechurch.com.


Until I came to Redeemer four years ago, I had attended congregational model evangelical churches. In one case, the pastor was a weak leader. The "church council" was composed of men who served brief (one or two year) elected terms. They were well intentioned men who loved the Lord, but they had no training in leadership and no long term commitment to their roles. Many were not talented or gifted in the areas in which they were serving. In retrospect, I see that the life of the church was essentially ruled by the strong personalities within the congregation. The brethren were not shepherded, and there was little growth in grace among us. There was no attempt at church discipline. Personal crises among the members were met with sympathy, but no constructive counsel or true help.

In the second case, the senior pastor was a very strong leader. The elected Board of Elders functioned as a sort of friendly Board of Directors to support his initiatives. Over time, those initiatives became less concerned with the Biblical mandates for God's Church in the world and more concerned with his own power, prestige, and popularity. He was not held accountable by the Board, who were allowed no real window into his heart or life. The elders had no shepherding role within the congregation. Church life was chaotic and strongly dependent on the individual to seek out true teaching and shepherding from within or often from outside of the church.

Despite having been an adult Christian for almost a quarter of a century, I came to Redeemer with no idea of what true Biblical leadership looked like. I have been blessed beyond measure to live, serve, and grow under that type of leadership over the past four years. Our elders are men who sense God's call on their lives to vocational or avocational leadership. Their gifts and calling are evaluated and confirmed by other leaders and brethren. They are extensively educated, trained, and discipled as leaders by the current eldership. They are given increasing shepherding responsibilities as they grow in their roles. They serve together as a plurality, making decisions by consensus. They are openly accountable to one another and to the congregation as a whole, not only for their leadership decisions but for the whole of their lives. They proactively and sacrificially care for and bear the burdens of their sheepfolds. With the goals of repentance and restoration, they engage in the process of church discipline when necessary. They are purposeful in teaching and modeling the one another’s of Scripture. They do not 'serve a term,' but rather are ordained to a position of authority in the local congregation that continues indefinitely.

Our elders have been used by God to contribute in significant ways to my own growth in grace. During a time of upheaval and conflict in our small group, my husband and I requested to transfer to a different group, earnestly believing this would result in the best possible outcome to the situation. The elders denied our request, but also committed to stand by the group and work to resolve the situation Biblically. An elder actually took over leadership of our group for a season. He patiently taught all of us, during small group meetings and at other times, about conflict and our own hearts, desires, and idols. Our group came through the process intact, each of us with greater insight into our own sin and God's work on our behalf and with greater love for one another. Even now, two years later, I am continuing to learn and see more things about myself through these events and their resolution. During another time of painful personal decision making, an elder listened carefully to my dilemma, challenged my thinking and expressed personal care and concern for my difficulty. He displayed great wisdom as he discerned my true need in the situation and gently but persistently pointed me to Christ through it. I thank God for my church and for the elders that God has called to serve us.

CC, Redeemer Bible Church, Minnetonka MN