June Elders Newsletter

Dear Church Family,

In an effort to promote a greater degree of communication between the elders and the church as a whole, the elders would like to release a brief monthly newsletter that outlines what we’ve been working on. The newsletter will be a summary of our two monthly meetings and any additional projects. Rest assured that any sensitive information would remain confidential and not included in the newsletter.

What the elders worked on in June…

June 3rd - The first elders meeting of the month is reserved for a focused time of prayer for the needs of the members. The elders also use a portion of this meeting to study and discuss for our own soul care and edification. For example, in the past we have read and discussed Christian books like Gentle and Lowly (Dane Ortlund) together. Our previous study was Paul’s address to the Ephesian elders from Acts 20. Right now, we are studying Theology for Ministry: How Doctrine Affects Pastoral Life and Practice (essays from various authors), and this month’s topic was Chapter 3: The Decrees of God.

What else did we discuss?

• Joining us for part of the meeting was David Herder on behalf of the Building Ministry Team. He presented a proposal to us to update and improve the lighting in the sanctuary. There were several options with varying degrees of cost and invasiveness. The elders approved an option to test upgrade the luminosity of the existing pendant lights with minimal cost and invasiveness. (Side note: projects like this would be handled by deacons once our deacon ministry is up and running)
• Reminders and final details for the upcoming events in our church life. Namely, the June 4 quarterly members meeting, youth Bible study, and upcoming Wednesday evening prayer meetings.
• Extending the Elder Apprenticeship Program by one additional week so that the current cohort had enough time to cover all the requisite topics.
• A proposal from the Personnel Ministry Team to establish an “elder-on-call” schedule for the weekends.
• A proposal from a church member to establish an Operations Ministry Team to help streamline and organize the administrative needs of the church that wouldn’t fall into the scope of an existing ministry team or elder/deacon ministry. And also, to help facilitate communications and cooperation between existing church ministries.
• A proposal from a church member to incorporate more congregational participation into the elements of the Sunday morning worship service. Examples of these would be responsive Scripture readings or reciting historic creeds, prayers and our church covenant.

June 17th - The second elders meeting of the month is when most of the operational needs of the church are discussed.

What did we discuss this week?

• Steve Smartt presented the latest efforts of the PBC Evaluation Team. This includes the results of a survey sent to a representative sample of church members evaluating their awareness of and PBC’s effectiveness in discipleship and evangelistic opportunities.
• A proposal from the Personnel Ministry Team to determine whether the church By-Laws be amended to appoint automatically an Associate Pastor as an elder upon their hire (to be congruent with the Senior Pastor position). A conclusion was postponed until more thought and prayer could be given to it.
• The upcoming host home and facilitator volunteers for K-Groups.
• A suggested list of Sunday School classes to teach in 2026 that corresponds to the upcoming sermon series through Acts.
• A proposal from a church member that we revisit PBC’s affiliation with the SBC. This discussion lasted longer than we expected, and it was determined that we need to give this much more prayer and consideration than we could in just one evening.
• A continuation of last meeting’s discussion on how to incorporate more congregational participation in worship. Responsive readings from the hymnal are a good avenue for this (when they correspond to the other elements). Also, our upcoming history conference on Baptists and Nicaea may give us an opportunity to utilize the Nicene Creed in worship this fall.
• The conclusion of the Deacon Apprenticeship Program. Several men have agreed to move forward, and the elders discussed scheduling their formal interviews.
• The upcoming need for music leaders in the worship service as Rhett will have to be away for a time to care for his parents.

Did the elders do anything outside of meetings?

Of course! Aside from our numerous counseling and discipleship endeavors, the elders also met with a church member who is experiencing an especially difficult time with their health. In keeping with James 5:14, we prayed over this individual, anointing them with oil.

As always, the pastors are available to you should you need anything. You can reach out individually to your shepherding elder, or to all of us at elders@providencebaptist.us.

With the love of Christ,

PBC Elders