Ordination of Elders

Today is a great day. For weeks, months, and even years we have been asking God to raise up men to serve as elders of this congregation. As a praying people, we prayed believing that God would answer. We prayed knowing that the answer which he gave would be exactly what we needed. Four men God has selected. Four men God has brought to our attention in response to our pleas. As we begin this ceremony, let me review the process which has led us to this point.

The Journey to This Day

The process begins many years ago, when Jack Kiss and Harry Summer as elders at Park Avenue began encouraging men to prepare themselves for the role of elder. Although there wasn’t enough time for these men to grow and mature before the resignations of our elders, the process was already in place. In June of 1995 Jack Kiss resigned because of health reasons and Harry Summer resigned because the scriptures are clear that there must be a plurality of elders. Thus, Park Avenue has been without elders since that time. But Park Avenue has not been without leadership. Men and women continued their responsibilities of ministries. Unity grew. You as a congregation kept your focus on Christ and Park Avenue moved forward as we continued to seek God’s direction. There were some who thought we would fall apart. There were some who even thought we were unscriptural because we didn’t have elders. But these were few and we more than survived. God brought his presence ever more into our congregation. We did not splinter or divide. Praise to the Father, by his grace, we continued on because what is special about Park Avenue is not found in elders, preachers, or committee leaders but in the love we share for each other.

Over the last three and a half years, you have encouraged and at times twisted the arms of different men trying to get each man to grow a bit more and to prepare a bit faster for the role of elder. And today, four are ready. You were asked time and again to submit names of men you thought should be elders. With each submission, that man was approached and asked to serve. As the weeks turned into months and with each negative response, the possibility of discouragement could have crept in, but you resisted. You patiently waited for these men to become ready. Your patience has not been in vain.

The Appointment Process

On December 6, 1998 we announced to the congregation that it was now time for us to appoint men to become elders. You were asked to submit the names of men you believed should fill this role. Of the names presented, four men said that he would serve: Dwight Albright, Barney Gardner, Paul Goddard, Bob Hesselrode. Each man wanted assurance from the congregation that he was to fill this role. Thus, time was given for you to talk with each man and to let him know what you thought about his appointment as elder. You were asked to sign a statement affirming each man and today these four stand assured of your support.

None of these men received 100% affirmation. Someone voiced an objection to each man. But this needs to be stated directly and forcefully—None of the objections were because of spiritual problems. Every objection was a matter of personal preference and opinion. In fact, the sentiment if not the words were often expressed “I have nothing against him scripturally, but…” and then the objection would be stated. Let me say again—none of these men escaped from objection, but all objections were of personal preference. Having said all of that you should realize that all objections were far outweighed by the overwhelming majority of the congregation in support of each man. As long as this earth exists we will have a difference of opinion. But thanks be to God today we can join together in love and unity and say “yes” to these men as a group, even if you cannot say yes to each one individually.

The Ordination

This is a great day in our history. This is the day we have been looking forward to. This is the day we have been praying for. This is the day that we have entrusted God to provide for us. Because we believe in the father and because we have sought his help, then we believe that today is his day and we are receiving even now his divine blessing. You have selected the men you want to serve as elders. You have asked these men to be spiritual leaders. These men have said that they will serve in that capacity. With these thoughts in mind I am going to ask the four men and each wife to come and stand on this platform.

It is the conviction of this community of believers that the manner of your life causes us to want to follow you as you follow Jesus. We believe you model the life of Christ in such a way that we do not doubt your sincerity or focus. We say to you as a congregation that you are to be person-centered and not to lose sight of people as you make decisions and consider problems. We say to you that you need to provide for your own spiritual development. That you need to continue to grow so that you can help us to grow. We say to you that you are to work together as one and to consider the other before yourself. We say to you that we ordain you as elders of this congregation and ask you to shepherd us ever closer to the Father. I am now going to address a series of questions to the men. You men will respond with “we do.”

Do you trust in Jesus as your Savior and acknowledge him as Lord and head of the church? Do you pledge to abide by the scriptures and to be ever vigilant in studying them as you lead us? Do you promise to love us, care for us, walk among us, touch us, and think of us before yourselves? Do you vow to use God’s call to this work not as a badge of honor but as a towel to serve? Now to the wives two questions with the response “we do.” Do you promise to support your husband in this work and to also love us? Do you pledge to serve as examples for us as Christian women and to use your gifts to serve?

The Congregation’s Responsibility

To the congregation remember that this is our decision being expressed today. We assume a serious and lasting responsibility to minister to these men and their families even as we have asked them to minister to us. We have initiated a relationship which will be built upon mutual responsibility and mutual submission. We have called on these men to lead; let us hear the call to follow. We have called on them to fulfill their ministry; let us hear the call from God to fulfill our own ministry. We have called on them to model the life of Christ; let us hear the call to be like Jesus in our own lives so that their work may be a joy. May we be vessels of God’s grace to them and to their families expecting no more than should be expected from ourselves and certainly expecting no less. I am going to ask you as a congregation to stand and to answer the following three questions with the words “we do.” Would you please stand?

Brothers and sisters of the Park Avenue church, do you regard Dwight Albright, Barney Gardner, Paul Goddard, and Bob Hesselrode as worthy of the work of elders? Do you, brothers and sisters, having sought divine guidance, accept these men as your spiritual overseers? Do you promise to give these leaders your honor, encouragement, and support as they perform their task? You may be seated. Each man will now have a short response.

The Divine Affirmation

Brothers and sisters, we have come to this hour with faith, prayer, and wisdom. The responsibility of this decision has been ours, according to the will of God. We have truly served as the instrument of divine choice. Therefore, these men—Dwight Albright, Barney Gardner, Paul Goddard and Bob Hesselrode—are ordained this day because we believe God wills it to be so and we are trying to work with him. To the elders the words of Peter ring true: “To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder, a witness of Christ’s sufferings and one who also will share in the glory to be revealed: Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, serving as overseers—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.”

To the congregation Paul’s words are still true today: “Now we ask you, brothers, to respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you. Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other.”

May God bless us as we continue to seek his direction and guidance. Following our assembly we will have a time of celebration at that Harding Graduate School Hospitality Room. There is no cost for the meal. We want everyone to come and celebrate this great occasion together. Let’s stand and sing “A Common Love” and then be led in prayer.

Follow Jesus

If you’d like to respond to this message or learn more about following Jesus, please reach out.