The Bible establishes some key qualifications for elders (Titus 1:6-9, Acts 20:28, 1 Peter 5:1–4, 1 Timothy 3:1–7). They are to share this in common: a seasoned maturity in their Christian faith, and a solid commitment to the spiritual guidance of their church.

For every person who is part of the Grace Church family, our desire is that we will exalt Jesus Christ by making disciples who 1: Love Jesus, 2: Grow with others, and 3: Serve the world. Let’s take inventory for a moment in light of those statements. 

The Elders at Grace graciously decide to make provision for our Ministry Staff members to take a periodic Study Break every 5 years. It’s been 11 years since I took my last break, during which I finished up my doctoral project. I’m sensing that now is the time to make a similar investment, returning (I trust!) as a replenished and more effective leader. 

Need a last-minute gift idea?  Here’s one we might all consider…

Each Sunday, the Bible is a central part of our worship together. God's Word inspires the lyrics to our songs, directs our prayers, and is the source of many messages that I and other teachers bring. The Bible should also find a central place in our daily lives, guiding us to know and follow Jesus. How do we know that this bestselling book of all time—translated into nearly 2,500 languages—can be trusted?