Ridgell's Originals

Still thinking about elder selection.  Today I am thinking thru what it means that an elder should have faithful children.  So let me offer a few thoughts on where I am today.

It seems really hard to invite your congregation to take a look at your kids.  In some ways it even seems as if you are inviting others to judge you kids.  Or to judge your parenting.

But I think there is a good reason for this.  Well, of course there is a good reason or God would not have put it Scripture.

First, remember that faithful is not the same as perfect.  There has only been one perfect child and he came to earth and died for our sins.  I certainly think faithful leaves room for strugglers, battlers, and those who have failed in the past.  But are they following Jesus?  Are they walking in the light?  Are they trying?  Have they quit on Jesus?  Given up?  These are how you look at elder's kids.

But I do think if your child has rejected Jesus, or is clearly living as a prodigal in a far country, perhaps now is not the time for you to lead others.

Most congregations know our kids anyway, so I not sure they are judging.  Just observing.

And parenting is great training for being an elder.  Forming faith, understanding priorities, different personalities, intentional discipling, loving discipline, praying, and giving spiritual counsel.

I Timothy 3 even indicates that looking at a man's kids gives you insight into the kind of elder he would be.  I think your kids are your portfolio for being an elder.  Looking at your family is a snapshot of what the church would look like under your leadership.

And yes, I am one of those that thinks your kids ought to be grown before you serve as an elder.  One reason is that being a Daddy is incredibly time consuming.  So is shepherding.  And frankly, you don't know how faithful my kids are until they are out on their own. They are certainly not a finished product before.

As for my two, Julie and Joe Don, my greatest joy is to know that they are Jesus followers.  Not perfect, but faithful.  It is no secret that I gave them both a lot of baggage to overcome.  But Marsha and I did one thing really well... we managed to give them Jesus.  And he is bigger than all the baggage they got.

So I always ask my kids about how they feel about my serving as an elder.  They know the Scripture and they know me as well as anyone other than their Mom.  Julie and her bunch are even part of my church family.

If they don't think I am elder material... then I am not.  If they think I am... well, they should know.  After all, I shepherded them for all their life.

So thanks God for my kids.  I am grateful every day that they love you and seek to follow you.  Help me to "raise" my flock with the same love and passion that I put into raising Julie and Joe Don.  And thanks God for giving me the right partner in Marsha to mold them into followers of your child.  In his name...