Mentoring Elders Selection Sheet

The eldering ministry of the Evangelical Free Church of Wainwright is intended to be a spiritual shepherding ministry. It is characterized by mentoring. They work together (with the pastor), to encourage every adherent to have an opportunity to be involved in mentoring of some kind for at least some time each year. They are not the primary mentors but the backstop for the mentoring ministry, the equippers of mentors, or mentor of mentors. While the mentoring ministry is their primary role, they also:

·         Administer the benevolent fund.

·         Oversee visitation of the congregation as a short-term form of mentoring. 

·         Take responsibility for the care of the pastor(s) by:

o    Assisting in decisions and wisdom around issues to teach about, pulpit supply, time management, difficult counselling situations, Pastoral duties during holidays and sabbaticals, and other matters as they arise.

o    Keeping a close enough relationship with the pastor to know if he is struggling and coming alongside him to help as needed.

The mentoring elders team is not intended to be a decision-making body. They are a spiritual shepherding group. They work to encourage and equip the members of the church to become mentors of one another.

The Biblical “standard” for shepherds is given in 1 Timothy 3: 1-13. A few observations:

It begins by saying, “If someone aspires to the be a church leader,” (NLT)

·         This indicates that it is optional.

·         It indicates that a person can set a goal towards developing the kind of character that would inspire the respect of the church - meaning the church would look to them for wisdom in personal matters as well as those affecting the church.

·         It is not a political aspiration but a character goal.

·         It also does not say the church should look for people of this type if it desires leaders.

·         It is somewhat of a natural organic process. The people of the church will look to the most mature in Christ, as evidenced in their character, whether they are elected or not.

We understand this not as a minimum standard, but as an aspirational standard. The implication is that we should seek the most mature, the ones that have “grown in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18) to shepherd the church.

The selection process for mentoring elders is predicated on the understanding that the congregation already knows who the mature Christians are. They know who is able to help in time of need. Rather than electing from nominees, this ministry is open to anyone who is respected by the membership. Each member has the opportunity to participate in the selection of elders by filling out this form.

Consider the following questions:

1.       If you were in the hospital and wanted someone to pray with – who would it be?

2.       If you had an important decision to make and you wanted spiritual counsel to help you – who would you want to talk with?

3.       If you were experiencing a moral struggle and wanted help – who would you want to help you?

Enter 3 – 5 names of couples or individuals in our membership who you would want to see in such times in the form below. The mentoring ministry team leader will consider the names that appear most frequently to join the mentoring elder team.(Please do not include any 2026 council members: Michael Eberhardt-Sturm, Kim Miller, Byron Patzer, Darcy Golden, or Raena Cameron)