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Book Synopsis

Where will you find trustworthy leaders in your church? How should elders direct the affairs of the church? How will you know if they have fulfilled their responsibilities and are worthy of "double honor"?

Rick Thompson takes an in-depth look at what makes an effective, empowering elder. He gleans many helpful insights on leadership practices from some of the best contemporary books written on this subject and weaves those insights into a solid biblical understanding of the important work of elders. He takes what Paul say to Titus (1:7) very seriously: "An overseer is entrusted with God's work ..."

God's people in each century and every culture need effective, empowering elders. You are invited on a journey to discover what that means in your church and in your life if you have been entrusted with this work of the Kingdom.

Interview with the Author

What is your background & what led you to write on elders & boards?

After graduating from TEDS, I have served as the pastor of one church for 13 years, 5 years as a missionary church planting pastor in Russia, and now 9 years as a superintendent. Church boards have been a major part of the scenery of my life and ministry for better and for worse.

If your readers could only take one idea away from your book, what would you like it to be?

Every country, century, and culture needs effective elders in the local church who will equip and empower God's people for their work of ministry and the New Testament gives us the pictures and the principles that we need as we also learn from effective and empowering leaders in every context.

What does your book offer that others on the same topic may not?

The publisher of E3 read chapter 2 and decided to publish the book. A biblical approach to church government is presented there that is not found in other books. Also, as the publisher has written on the back of the book: Dr. Rick Thompson gleans many helpful insights on leadership practices from some of the best contemporary books written on this subject and weaves those insights into a solid biblical understanding of the important work of elders.

Read more of this interview...

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