| After fifteen years of pastoral ministry, I’ve learned two truths about the nature of that work: 1.) Churches need great leaders. And, 2.) No one leads forever. Therefore, local churches mindful of 2 Timothy 2:2’s charge to grow reliable people (Greek anthropós, humankind) who can themselves grow others, will seek to develop and equip leaders for the glory of God. God has graced Mosaic Church with great leaders at so many levels. That leadership capacity has allowed us to grow, expand, and plant churches and campus ministries all over the state, especially in recent years. For the past 16 years, a team of three elders has led our church. For the last 14 years, our elder team has consisted of the same three individuals: Dr. John Loyd, Gaylen Washington, and myself (Morgan Stephens). In that time, we have grown to love and respect each other very much, and I would not be here without John and Gaylen! The overall stability and growth of Mosaic is due in large part to their stability, wisdom, and sacrifice. Beginning about three years ago, we sensed a need to not only increase the number of Mosaic’s staff, deacons, community group leaders, and team members of all kinds, but to grow our elder team. That began a two year process to identify and confirm a new group of elder candidates for the next season at Mosaic Church. During this process, Gaylen Washington relocated to the Oklahoma City area. While he has (and will) remain as an elder here, his reduced physical presence confirmed the growth God had asked of us. Today, on the other side of that two year process, six new leaders have emerged as elder candidates. The purpose of this email is to name them (they aren’t nominated just yet), and respond to some questions you may have about the process moving forward. Before I get to any questions, let me express my joy for this new part of our journey together as a church. God is growing and working in our church in many exciting ways, and adding elders is something to celebrate! The names of our six elder candidates are, in alphabetical order: Alvin Brown Dave Destefano Colby May Brett Millican Tina Miranda Rosalynn Smith I hope you’re excited about this expansion of our elder team! I believe it will allow the most care and accessibility to elder leadership we have ever had. Likely, a few questions emerge: When will they be nominated? Officially, on Sunday, May 17. What kind of feedback is welcome? Beginning that Sunday, we will open a thirty day window to receive feedback via email, per our bylaws, on these 6 individuals. Like our current elders, none of them are perfect people, but the opening qualification in 1 Timothy 3 is clear: elders must be “above reproach.” We trust these 6 meet this criteria, along with the other criteria named. Will we ever add new elders again? I certainly hope so! The largest question some may have is: What about those last two names? Are women allowed to serve as elders? In the past, they have not been. But as we have sought God through this season, we reexamined what Scripture says about church leadership. This allowed us to talk, focus, pray, read, consult, and study in a fresh way what God’s Word says about who our new elders should be. Through this process, we have become convinced that the New Testament does not forbid women from serving as elders. For some of you, you may already agree! For others, the church’s position on this is not a significant concern. And for some of you, that theological position may be new or even a struggle. Wherever you may be, our intention is to walk through this season in unity and clarity. To help us do that, over the next month, beginning this Sunday, we want to communicate lovingly and clearly what we have gleaned from this season. The truths we plan to lean into together are that: There is a great big world out there that God loves Jesus is redeeming that world through his people and church Jesus’ church is better when men and women are leading together, as we were originally commanded to do (Genesis 1), and one day we will do in full (Revelation 22). Hence, the name of the series we will begin this Sunday is “And they shall reign forever and ever.” This title is taken directly from Revelation 22:5 and describes what all the people of Jesus will do one day– men and women together. Over the next four Sundays, at both our North and South campuses, the messages will be: 1.) From Genesis to Revelation: An Overview of Men and Women in Leadership 2.) What about the “silent in church” verse? (1 Corinthians 14) 3.) What about the “not assuming authority” verse (1 Timothy 2) 4.) Who can serve as an elder?(1 Timothy 3) Not to give everything away, but one of the most helpful and clarifying items that helped crystallize our view was learning that Paul’s instruction about who can be an elder in 1 Timothy 3 is gender inclusive, not exclusive. Unlike other passages, which are sometimes directed to either men, or sometimes to women, this passage and language is addressed to men and women. That inclusive language would have been clear to the hearer in his day. After each of these four messages at our North Campus, I will be available for a live Q and A after the third service in the overflow room. During that time, I will do my best to answer any questions you submit about that Sunday’s message. There will also be a Zoom link for those from the previous services who would like to join the Q&A online. At our South campus, the Live Q and A will be after the second service, and Gaylen Washington will be present this week to kick it off. Finally, attached to this email is a lengthy FAQ addressing much more context around this exciting decision, as well as additional questions and/or concerns you may have. I sincerely hope you will take the time to read through it. Reading the FAQ document before you come on Sunday, or ask any questions, will be of enormous benefit to all of us. It’s not often you hear me ask “every single church member” to read something, but in this case, I am! Please read through the FAQs. The goal of this document is to equip us all to obey all those New Testament commands about walking in unity and preserving the unity of Jesus’ church. After you finish reading, you could also take a moment and pray for me, our current and future elder team, and for Mosaic Church at large as we move through this series and into our bright future together! I will see you Sunday for week 1 of And They Shall Reign Forever and Ever. Like this email, it may be the longest sermon you will ever hear from me! The rest of the series’ sermons will be shorter, but examining leadership from Genesis to Revelation deserves extra attention to detail. I don’t think you’ll be bored. But, go ahead and have that extra cup of coffee anyway! With faith, hope, and love, Morgan Stephens, DMin Lead Pastor |
