As we prepare for ElderLink this weekend, we want to whet your appetite for our time together. At ElderLink Arkansas, we’ll be focusing on a variety of aspects of church leadership, from church unity to teaching the faith to dealing with adversity—and more! We recently sat down for virtual conversations with our church host (Chris Benjamin) and our breakout session leaders (Mark Hamiton, Grady King, John Knox, Roland Orr, and David Wray). Enjoy the questions and answers, and then come join us in Fort Smith this weekend!

For Chris Benjamin: As you and I have talked about ElderLink Arkansas, your enthusiasm has been evident and contagious. Why are you excited about ElderLink coming to west Arkansas?

Chris: I am excited to get back together with other church leaders in our area.  COVID isolated us, not only from our church families, but also from our church networks.  Add to that the geographical isolation that many of us feel in ministry and leadership—major cities and ministry education hubs are hours away for some of us—and the result is that anything bringing the resources a bit closer is helpful.  Plus, Charles Siburt visited our congregation on two occasions.  He was a friend to West-Ark, and we are better thanks to his ministry.  I am excited that Charlie’s vision of church leaders coming together for encouragement and support is happening right here.  I have prayed for this for 20 years, and now it’s a reality—right now, when we need it more than ever.

For Mark Hamilton: Your session is about reclaiming the Bible in passing on the Christian faith. Do you think that we have "lost" the Bible, or that we have sometimes simply set it aside, picking up other tools and resources instead?

Mark: Obviously, the Bible is right next to us, so it’s not really lost.  But we may not be listening to it very well.  When we read it as a law-book that answers our petty questions, or as a book of clichés that makes us feel warm and fuzzy, or just as a set of interesting voices from the distant past, we miss the wonder and excitement of Scripture.  The prophets, storytellers, poets, sages, and apostles deliver to us visions of God and God’s work among human beings.  The Bible reminds us of our place in a beautiful creation and our hope for the renewal of all things in Jesus Christ.  When we read it carefully, prayerfully, and with a sense of anticipation, we find that it supports our transformation more and more into Christ’s image.  So, of course, we read it alongside many other things, but we hear in the ancient words a different voice than our own, an echo of God’s own voice in our world.

For Grady King: Your breakout session will focus on ways that we, as leaders, can develop spiritual stamina. But to say we need stamina means that we know we will struggle! Why do you think it's important for leaders to acknowledge the reality of struggle?

Grady: To struggle is to be human. It's okay. It’s unavoidable, so we should expect it. Expectations matter and to a large extent shape reality. If we expect to struggle as a part of leading, we can manage ourselves and endure much better. Some struggles are short-term, while others call for great endurance. It is important to realize that struggle is not a sign of weakness, but rather a call to humility and dependence on God in prayer and vulnerability. It is the vulnerability of Jesus that is most compelling as we struggle. The gospels do not portray a struggle-free Jesus. He consistently reframed reality with his disciples and often showed frustration at their lack of faith. From Genesis to Revelation, God never called someone to lead without struggle. God provides through the Holy Spirit’s interceding for us when we don't even know how to pray or lead in the struggle.

For John Knox: Your session description uses powerful language, like "storms" and "anxiety."  Without giving too much away about your session, can you tell us something that you're going to recommend that we do when we grow anxious in a storm?

John: When a life storm has arrived—maybe a full-blown crisis—the entire church is impacted. The needs can be overwhelming, but as a church leader, you might not be sure where to begin in addressing them. Drawing from 32 years of experience in crisis ministry and my role on a crisis negotiation team for law enforcement, I will offer practical tips on navigating the storms of life in the church. My hope is that you will find out how to prioritize your efforts to lead as a group of elders, especially in times of crisis. You’ll discover how to interact with those you are called to shepherd, such as when to exhort and when to express gentle compassion. We’ll talk about how to address special circumstances, like members who are dealing with mental health concerns or who have been accused of a serious crime. Church life can be difficult and complex, but you can prepare yourself now to lead your church family through whatever life challenges lie ahead.

For Roland Orr and David Wray: Some folks love to talk about organization, while others would prefer to do anything but that!  Why is it so important for leaders to think strategically about organizational structure?  What's the payoff?

Roland and David: Organization is not an exciting topic, but in today’s church environment it is an important matter, and it involves much more than a well-defined “org chart.” There are many organizations functioning within a congregation: ministers, staff, elders, and the members, just to name a few. Church leadership in the 21st century is complex and challenging. As elders deal with the tension between people, vision, and task, they are seeking new ways to pursue balance between these polarities. In recent decades, elders began to realize that they were neglecting pastoring, shepherding, and envisioning, instead focusing on administration. During this time, elders began exploring effective ways to nurture and pastor church members. The foundation for these tasks rests on effective organizational structures. Churches nationwide are dealing with post-pandemic issues and declining numbers. New methodologies, strategies, and approaches are essential to address today’s changing culture. We shouldn’t neglect organizational structures in our faith communities. Successful organizational structure enables a church leadership team to succeed as they pastor, administer, and create and execute a strategic vision.

We hope you’ll be able to join us this weekend in Fort Smith!

ElderLink is open to adults engaged in congregational ministry, including elders, deacons, ministers, spouses, and ministry leaders of all types. At this link, you can learn more about and register for ElderLink Arkansas on October 29, 2022. Contact Renee Paul at elderlink@acu.edu with any questions or needs.