I suppose this is a familiar story.
In one sense this man was probably the best man for the job. But I am not sure about now. The world is changing, social attitudes, technology, ideas about church governance.
His health is good at present, but who knows what is round the corner. He is in his mid 70s. There is a lot of responsibility - the church has lots of social ministry, which actually is growing the church. There are a number of very good things happening.
He has an eldership of just one other person. He is incredibly loyal and protective. (probably as a reaction to the situation of criticism)
There is a wider deaconate which has lots of practical responsibility.
He has had other elders or spiritual leaders in his eldership team but they have eventually left to where they have found a leadership preaching ministry. He won't share the pulpit and takes seriously his responsibility under God for the church, in presenting it healthy before God. The buck stops with him.
He's not dictatorial in an aggressive way, but there is only one way to do things. His way.
I fear a lot of this is not really spiritual at all. As in the world, there is fear of loss of control.
Do you think he should be sharing the spiritual leadership and discipling a replacement. (There certainly is one person who could take over, who himself is very loyal and would never push himself forward...)
In one sense this man was probably the best man for the job. But I am not sure about now. The world is changing, social attitudes, technology, ideas about church governance.
His health is good at present, but who knows what is round the corner. He is in his mid 70s. There is a lot of responsibility - the church has lots of social ministry, which actually is growing the church. There are a number of very good things happening.
He has an eldership of just one other person. He is incredibly loyal and protective. (probably as a reaction to the situation of criticism)
There is a wider deaconate which has lots of practical responsibility.
He has had other elders or spiritual leaders in his eldership team but they have eventually left to where they have found a leadership preaching ministry. He won't share the pulpit and takes seriously his responsibility under God for the church, in presenting it healthy before God. The buck stops with him.
He's not dictatorial in an aggressive way, but there is only one way to do things. His way.
I fear a lot of this is not really spiritual at all. As in the world, there is fear of loss of control.
Do you think he should be sharing the spiritual leadership and discipling a replacement. (There certainly is one person who could take over, who himself is very loyal and would never push himself forward...)
