Well, we have a beautiful moment coming up in our service tonight.

And in some sense, this is a historic moment in the life of our church.

This is the night that we are installing elders as the spiritual authorities and overseas of our congregation.

So I just want to frame up this time with telling you about the history of how this happened,

a little bit about the theology behind it and the process they've been through, ready for this

moment.

Today we gather together as a church family in the presence of God

to install elders as spiritual leaders over our community. This is a historic moment in the life

of our church and the fulfillment of a years-long process. This is not just the maturing of leadership development in a non-profit.

This is not just compliance to best practices in secular organizations when it comes to leadership.

This is deeply foundational about what it means to be a biblically functioning community.

Paul wrote to Titus, the reason I left you in Crete,

was that you might put in order what was left to unfinished

and appoint elders.

Something was unfinished, and it needed to be finished,

and that's what we're doing today,

putting this in place in our church community.

The leadership that we are calling the elders to provide is one deeply rooted in the example of Jesus and the commands of Scripture.

1 Peter 5, 1 through 5 instructs us, to the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder and a witness

of Christ's sufferings who also will share in the glory to be revealed. Be shepherds of God's

flock that is under your care, watching over them, not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be,

not pursuing this honest gain, but eager to serve, not lauding it over those entrusted to you,

...