George Rowe
Elder Candidate
George and his wife Debby have been attending Oakwood since 1986 and have been members since 1988. He has previously served on the Oakwood Missions Team, as an elder, on the nominating committee, with the Prayer Team, and with Kids Ministry.
George grew up in a loving, encouraging, and disciplined family, but there was minimal spiritual instruction. He gave his life to the Lord after meeting other Christians in college.
Elders at Oakwood
Position Overview
The Elder Team is responsible for spiritual oversight, shepherding the people of the Church, and organizational governance.
Spiritual Oversight - The elders will shepherd the people of the Church by knowing them, praying for them, protecting them, encouraging them, and caring for them (1 Peter 5:2-3). The Elders will encourage ministry to the poor and distressed (James 1:27). The Elders will promote unity within the Church (Ephesians 4:3) by protecting the Congregation and Ministry Staff from division and by pursuing reconciliation (according to Matthew 18:15-17). The Elders will protect the Church from doctrinal error by confronting error and aligning teachings to the clear biblical truth when correction is needed (Acts 20:28-30). The Elders will ensure the Church is being fed with sound biblical teaching and will clarify, in writing, biblical positions to be held by the Church (Titus 1:9).
Organizational Governance - The elders will establish the vision of the church by discerning the direction regarding the goals and priorities of the Church and ensure that the life of the church is being well managed by monitoring mission effectiveness and ministry alignment.
Key Responsibilities
- Practice spiritual leadership in their family
- Be involved in a discipleship ministry
- Practice hospitality with members of your flock
- Communicate regularly with members of your flock
- Be involved in elder meetings
- Participate in Communion
- Communicate as needed with other elders and staff
- Interview applicants for membership at the church
- Serve on various church committees as the need arises
Qualifications
An elder shall be publicly recognized as desiring to serve as an Elder, fulfill the Biblical requirements as written in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:6-11, and serve actively for a term of three years.