Eldership Study

*** Update on Eldership Study in Little Rock, AR ***

The time for our study is approaching fast. This is just a reminder that the study will take place Friday, October 31^st, through Sunday, November 2^nd.

The study on Friday and Sunday will take place at the Mabelvale Pike Church of Christ building. Saturday’s study will take place at the Baptist Health Schools of Nursing and Allied Health. This facility seats 300. Directions are listed below.

The brethren of the congregation will be providing lunch on Saturday. Please let us know ASAP if you plan to attend so we can make accurate preparations.

Several have asked us if we will be making audio / video copies of the study available. We will be making available VHS video sets and CD audio sets. The set of (4) VHS tapes will cost $35.00, including shipping. The set of (7) audio CD’s will cost $15.00, including shipping. If you would like copies, let us know before November 15^th, so that we can place an accurate order with the reproduction company.

If you need any additional info, please let us know.

In Him,

The Mabelvale Pike Church of Christ
Little Rock, Arkansas

Chris Dickinson (cdickin@entergy.com): 501-221-9441
Maurice Chandler (clint35@aristotle.net): 501-562-1169
Terry Hays (mailto:tlhays@baptist-health.): 501-315-9506
Dennis Smith (dsmith46@sbcglobal.net): 479-452-5896

Directions to the Mabelvale Pike Church of Christ building:

From I-30 East:

· Take Exit 130, Baseline Rd / Mabelvale.

· Immediately veer right toward Mabelvale.

· At the stop sign, turn left toward Baseline Rd. Do not turn right toward Mabelvale.

· Follow the road and cross over the interstate.

· After crossing the interstate, turn right toward Mabelvale Pike Rd.

· You will see a 15-story building, Arkansas Department of Transportation. Turn left onto Mabelvale Pike immediately after passing this building.

· Follow Mabelvale Pike for approximately 1.2 miles

· The church building will be on the right.

From I-30 West:

· Take Exit 132, McDaniel Drive.

· Take an immediate right onto McDaniel Drive.

· Follow the road through Town and Country subdivision, approximately 0.4 miles.

· McDaniel Drive dead-ends into Mabelvale Pike.

· Turn left onto Mabelvale Pike.

· The church building will be on the left.

Directions to the Baptist Health Schools of Nursing and Allied Heath (11900 Colonel Glenn Rd):

From I-430:

· Take Exit 4, Colonel Glenn Rd / AR-300

· Go west on Colonel Glenn approximately 0.25 miles

The Baptist Health Schools of Nursing and Allied Health will be on your right

*** Original Notification ***

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ:

The Mabelvale Pike congregation in Little Rock, AR, would like to invite you to a special study on the eldership. The brethren here are very excited, and we pray that this study will be a memorable milestone in our congregation's preparation for the future. We would like you to share with us in this great opportunity to learn more about scriptural leadership.

Below is our schedule:

Friday, October 31st
7:00 pm - "Why Do We Need Elders?": Allen Bailey, Dennis Smith

Saturday, November 1st
9:00 am - "Preparing For Elders": Allen Bailey, Doug Edwards
10:30 am - "Qualities of Elders: An Elder's Desire": Panel Discussion
2:00 pm - "Qualities of Elders: Personal Character": Panel Discussion
3:30 pm - "Qualities of Elders: Leadership Ability": Panel Discussion
7:00 pm - "Shepherds Patterning Christ": Doug Edwards

Sunday, November 2nd
2:30 pm - "The Length of an Elder's Commitment": Dennis Smith
Panel: Glenn Ballard, Wayne Fussell, Joe Norton, and Dan Wissinger

The Friday session will cover what an elder does and why elders are important. The first Saturday session will discuss how to prepare men and women to be elders and elders' wives and how to prepare a congregation to receive elders. The next three sessions will involve discussion on the qualifications for elders. The final session on Saturday will draw similarities between the role of the elder and the role of Christ as the Good Shepherd. Our session on Sunday afternoon will discuss the length of an elder's commitment, along with reasons for him no longer being able to fulfill the role.

Each session will last 1:15. (The Friday session may go longer; we are not as worried about time.) There will be 45 minutes of presentation, followed by 30 minutes of question and answer.

If you are or have served as an elder at a congregation, then we want to extend you a special invitation. We want as many elders present at the study as possible so that we can learn from their experience. These men will get first chance for questions / comments after each presentation. Also, some in the congregation would like the opportunity in a private setting to ask these men for practical advice.

The congregation has asked Bro. Dennis Smith to help facilitate the study. Dennis will be presenting a couple of topics, plus he will be facilitating the panel discussions on qualifications, along with each question and answer session. The congregation has entrusted Dennis with the authority to make the final decision on all questions.

We want the tone of this study to be objective and informative. We are not looking for debate or personal opinion, but rather for an explanation of the scripture. If we feel, during the question and answer period, that a question is taking us in the wrong direction, Dennis has the right to graciously steer us back on course.

The Mabelvale Pike congregation sincerely believes that the topics of this study are of great importance to the Lord and His church. We would love to have as many brethren as possible and are planning for great participation. However, in order to make arrangements for accommodations and logistics, please email or phone us at one of the numbers no later than October 6 below if you plan to attend.

For more information or if you have any questions, contact one of the brothers listed below, or Bro. Dennis Smith.

Please pray with us that this study will be a great success.

In Him,

The Mabelvale Pike Church of Christ
Little Rock, Arkansas