Mentor's Manual

Append i x 179

8. Recognize the importance of the diaconate for urban congregations, both in terms of meeting practical needs as well as dividing the labor amongst the leaders to ensure that the congregation’s full priorities are not neglected.

After your reading, study, discussion, and application of the materials in this lesson, you will be able to:

Objectives for Lesson 2 The Christian Leader as Elder: Presbyteroi

1. Recite the meaning of the Greek term presbyteros as the translated term for elder in the NT. 2. Narrate the evolution of the concept elder from its OT roots in the tribal system of Israel, the development of the concept in the synagogue, to its usage as an official position in the Sanhedrin, and finally to the NT Church. 3. Provide a clear record of the elements involved in the calling of NT elders, as well as the biblical qualifications associated with becoming an elder in the Church. 4. Lay out critically the biblical authority and responsibilities connected with the faithful fulfillment of the office of serving as an elder in the body, and speak of the implications of this authority and responsibility in the affairs of Christian community today. 5. Recreate from memory the key analogies given in Scripture of the Christian Leader as Elder (Presbyter) : the Christian elder is imaged as an overseer of the affairs of the community, a father or parent who heads the spiritual family of the Lord, a colleague or team member who contributes to the council of elders in their role as leaders of the congregation, and finally as a representative both of the Lord and the people in the community. 6. Articulate the major assumptions and issues needed to understand the significance of elders for urban congregations, and suggest practical ways in which we can both select and equip elders for our churches in the city.

Teaching Objectives for Capstone, by Module

After your reading, study, discussion, and application of the materials in this lesson, you will be able to:

Objectives for Lesson 3 The Christian Leader as Pastor: Poimenes

1. Define and outline the meaning of the pastor, rehearsing both the OT and NT contexts of the idea of the pastorate, moving to the definition of the Greek term for pastoring, and tracing historically the development of the idea of a formal office of the pastorate.