Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

This coming Lord’s Day our sermon text will be taken from Colossians 3:15. Here, the Apostle Paul exhorts the members of the Church at Colossae to “let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.”

We might think of this as one of the prime ingredients in the ‘recipe’ for a healthy New Testament Church.  According to Paul, a spiritually vigorous local fellowship of believers is to be characterized by “the peace of Christ.” And to state his case in even stronger terms, Paul adds that it is to such “peace” that each of us has been divinely “called in one body.” F. F. Bruce explains that since we have each “received the peace which Christ established,” there is “no reason” why we “should have any other than peaceful relations” with each other.

It will be our great joy to explore this wonderful verse on Sunday, and I pray you will take time to read and reflect upon these inspired words.

Church Officer Nominations November 11 and 18

As I mentioned to you last week, we will soon be receiving nominations for the New Testament Church Offices of Ruling Elder and Deacon. On Sunday November 11 and Sunday November 18 all Communing Members of CPC will be entitled to submit the names of qualified men (who are members of CPC) for these positions.  A special Nomination Form will be made available for you to use.

In preparation for this very important time in the life of our Church, it would be helpful to be reminded of the Biblical qualifications for these Offices.

As for the Office of Elder, the Scripture says:

The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task.  Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, or if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God’s church? He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil–1 Timothy 3:1-7.

For an overseer, as God’s steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it—Titus 1:7-9.

As for the Office of Deacon, the Scripture says:

Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain. They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless. Their wives likewise must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things. Let deacons each be the husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households well. For those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus—1 Timothy 3:8-13.

Then, following the teachings of Scripture, our Book of Church Order (BCO) requires the following of each Officer:

The Elder

“He that fills this office should possess a competency of human learning and be blameless in life, sound in the faith and apt to teach. He should exhibit a sobriety and holiness of life becoming the Gospel. He should rule his own house well and should have a good report of them that are outside the Church”.

The Deacon

“To the office of deacon, which is spiritual in nature, shall be chosen men of spiritual character, honest repute, exemplary lives, brotherly spirit, warm sympathies, and sound judgment.”

According to our BCO, following this period of nominations, each willing candidate . . .

“shall receive instruction in the qualifications and work of the office. Each nominee shall then be examined in:

his Christian experience, especially his personal character and family management (based on the qualifications set out in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:6-9),

his knowledge of Bible content,

his knowledge of the system of doctrine, government, discipline contained in the Constitution of the Presbyterian Church in America (BCO Preface III, The Constitution Defined),

the duties of the office to which he has been nominated, and

his willingness to give assent to the questions required for ordination. (BCO 24-5).

If there are candidates eligible for the election, the Session shall report to the congregation those eligible, giving at least thirty (30) days prior notice of the time and place of a congregational meeting for elections.”

Let me ask that you carefully study these requirements and then pray that the Lord will help us to identify qualified candidates to serve His Church and His Eternal Kingdom.

I love you all, and can’t wait to worship our Lord with each of you this Sunday!

Mike