Greg R. Scharf - The New Elders Handbook: A Biblical Guide to Developing Faithful Leaders

It has been well established that New Testament churches were led by a plurality of elders and that such a model is ideal for todays church. But wanting elders and having qualified elders are sometimes miles apart. This book bridges the gap by providing a helpful strategy and practical suggestions for current leaders to develop faithful leaders to help shepherd the church of God. Those of you who aspire to serve as elders will benefit greatly from this book.

Benjamin L. Merkle , professor of New Testament and Greek, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary

I found this thoroughly biblical and eminently practical handbook a much-needed encouragement to be more intentional in this work, and I will profit from the clear model it presents.

Bill Kynes , senior pastor, Cornerstone Evangelical Free Church, Annandale, VA

The New Elders Handbook offers a wealth of biblical wisdom and practical resources for disciple making and leadership development. I warmly recommend this helpful book to current and aspiring elders who desire to put into practice 2 Timothy 2:2 and entrust the gospel to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.

Brian J. Tabb , academic dean, Bethlehem College & Seminary; elder, Bethlehem Baptist Church

This is not just a how-to book on leadership. Rather, grounded in the Scriptures, it has a practical and pastoral focus, with learning taking place in community with others. I am elated this book is now available. Take up, read, apply, and see the leadership culture of the church be transformed.

Greg Strand , executive director of theology and credentialing, Evangelical Free Church of America; adjunct professor of pastoral theology, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School

In The New Elders Handbook Greg Scharf and Arthur Kok weave together robust theological engagement with eminently practical wisdom on the means of selecting and developing faithful Christian leaders. This work provided a timely reminder of the importance of character and competency in Christian leadership and is a welcome addition to the much-needed field of Christian leadership.

Malcolm Gill , lecturer in Greek, New Testament, and homiletics, Center for Preaching and Pastoral Ministry, Sydney Missionary & Bible College

Anyone who wants to raise up future leaders should read this book, first because of the program it offers and second because of the method it champions. Presenting theological and practical questions to a small group of future leaders and challenging them to come up with biblical answers will produce rapid growth in the lives of those you mentor.

Colin S. Smith , senior pastor, The Orchard Evangelical Free Church, Arlington Heights, IL

I recommend this book to men with a desire to become faithful elders and to the pastors who want to help shepherd them in the pursuit of that noble desire. This handbook is eminently usable, biblically rich, and very timely. I look forward to using it with my current elders and to training and discipling new elders with it for the future health of our church.

Glen Stevens , senior pastor, Salem Evangelical Free Church, Fargo, ND, and Moorhead, MN

The New Elders Handbook is an excellent resource for any church committed to the vital task of discerning and appointing qualified elders. Full of biblical wisdom and practical guidance, it not only casts a vision for this task but also offers a structured journey (developed and used in a local-church context) that will help elders and prospective elders patiently discern Gods will together for the health of our churches.

David H. F. Ng , program leader for Master of Missional Leadership, Melbourne School of Theology

If you desire to see a thriving elder team in your local church, take advantage of the wisdom of this resource.

George Davis , senior pastor, Hershey Free Church, Hershey, PA

Greg Scharf and Arthur Kok lay out a plan for selecting prospective elders and then rigorously discipling them in Christian practice and doctrine. You will not find a more thorough plan for the theological preparation of those entrusted with being shepherds of Gods flock.

Lee Eclov , senior pastor, Village Church of Lincolnshire (IL); author of Pastoral Graces

Those seeking to be equipped as elders as well as those already called as elders will benefit from the study guides and the rich reference material cited by the authors. Throughout this book, the authors love of God, his Son Jesus Christ, his church, and his people shines brightly.

Pete Alle , elder and church vice-chair, The Orchard Evangelical Free Church, Arlington Heights, IL

I teach pastors and church leaders in East Africa. Churches are multiplying, but the leadership of many is seriously deficient. If this book were read and applied, it would make a tremendous difference in that spiritually vital and strategic region of the world.

Jonathan Menn , director, Equipping Church LeadersEast Africa; author of Biblical Eschatology

Many churches struggle to identify and train elders for the task of shepherding the church. Scharf and Kok offer a helpful resource that utilizes biblical examples and employs wisdom from pastoral experience to address this need. The health of the church is at stake, and this handbook is a valuable tool for the worthwhile task of raising up elders.

Nick Gatzke , senior pastor, Old North Church, Canfield, OH