The Granite State Church of Christ in New Hampshire marks a milestone this year as we celebrate our 15th Anniversary. And Sunday, March 15th was a spiritual and historical day as our first elders were appointed.
Wyndham Shaw, Evangelist/Elder in the Boston Church of Christ, was in New Hampshire to share his experience as an Elder and to preach a lesson about Eldership. Wyndham commended the newly appointed elders, Mike Fix, Mike Villars and Carl Christensen to the church in glowing terms and with a spiritually poignant lesson to set our hearts on our role in helping our Elders to be successful.
Wyndham said that these men are Elders “For Such a Time as This” in our Church and in our Brotherhood. He reminded everyone that “shepherding ain’t for sissies or the faint of heart. We need those who can discern the proverbial baby from its bathwater.” He listed the qualities that an Elder must have: Humility, Tears, Alertness and Conviction with Biblical Application. He also pointed out that it is very helpful that we have a combination of Elders, some of whom are supported full-time by the Church and some who are not – it being good for some to relate to Paul, who worked to support himself in the ministry. Lastly, he admonished the disciples to make their work a joy and not a burden by:
1. Talking to them and not about them
2. Looking for progress with patience
3. Helping them to help us to be grounded in the Bible
4. Remembering that they are sheep too
5. Respecting them and protecting them.
The Holy Spirit has been moving in the lives of these men for many years to prepare them for this role in God’s Kingdom:
• Carl Christensen, a man of truth, realness and love was described by Wyndham Shaw as an example of fruitfulness and someone who has been a partner in the gospel for years in both Massachusetts and in New Hampshire.
• Mike Villars was described by Greg Martin as gentle and approachable, a unanimous choice by the members.
• Mike Fix, a man of God proven as an Evangelist of the Granite State Church of Christ for many years was described in tears, as a loving friend and a good listener, a shepherd who has reached out across New England and Eastern Europe.
The Church presented each of them with an Amphora, a clay jar used to pour out oil or water, symbolic of them pouring themselves out for God and for us as they serve His Church. They also received photo albums prepared by each of the small groups of the Granite State Church so they can know their sheep.
It was an important and spiritually moving moment to witness God, through His Holy Spirit, do something at this time that the church in New Hampshire only wished for and imagined. Praise God for his faithfulness!