Elder Qualifications
The Well Church Keller Elders are nominated by the congregation and undergo a robust screening and interview process before they are eligible for election to the Elder Board. Accepting the volunteer role of Elder is not something to be taken lightly; Elders make extensive time commitments and take on deep spiritual responsibility in leading The Well, and we are grateful for their selfless service on our behalf.
Elder Prerequisites
Cannot be nominated by self or spouse.
Elders must have attended The Well for at least two years.
Elders must have completed the Well 101 Class or are in process.
Must have volunteered in a significant capacity in a ministry for at least one year, preferably in a leadership or coaching role.
Must be known and approved for consideration by a staff member, a member of The Well’s Leadership team, and/or a member of the Elder Board.
Must have capacity, flexibility and availability to serve in the Elder role. The time requirement varies greatly month to month, but the minimum includes monthly meetings, annual retreat, and committee responsibilities.
Time Commitment for Elders
Elders’ meeting—one/two evening per month.
Elders’ retreat—one weekend per year.
Four to six hours (on average) per month for review of Elder board materials, policies, correspondence, meeting preparation, and team conference calls.
In addition to the regular Elders' meeting, committee responsibilities may require additional hours each month, depending on the committee's requirements.
If serious issues arise that require immediate attention by the Elder board, additional hours may be required outside of regular Elders' meetings. (This happens infrequently, but is a possibility.)
Scriptural Overview of the Role of Elder
General Overview
Scripture verses that address the role of an Elder: Titus 1:5–9; I Peter 5:1–4; Acts 20:28–31; James 5:14
At The Well, our Elders:
Carry the ultimate responsibility and authority to see that the church remains on a true biblical course; that its members are being appropriately shepherded, that the body is being fed through insightful and accurate biblical teaching, and that the life of the church is being well managed with the assistance of competent and godly leaders.
Guard the body of Christ against harmful influences, confronting those who are contradicting biblical truth or continuing in a pattern of sinful behavior.
Shepherd the church by being an example and role model.
Care about the spiritual and physical well being of members; pray regularly for the sick.
Specific Duties
The Elders of The Well are responsible for the following, but will delegate to qualified others in the body so these duties are carried out effectively.
Provide Spiritual Oversight
Confront false teaching and behavior contradictory to biblical truth and implement appropriate church discipline
Maintain the administration of Baptism and Communion as instituted by Christ
Review and evaluate teaching and curricula for biblical accuracy and consistency with TWCK values (weekend services, classes, and sub-ministry materials)
Implement and monitor compliance with board policy.
Mandate ministry to the poor and distressed.
Shepherd the Flock
Participate (as needed) in the biblical process of conflict resolution outlined by Jesus in Matthew 18
Direct people into appropriate processes for guidance, assistance, and problem resolution
Respond to letters/phone calls from the church body, staff, or public.
Manage the Church
Affirm the annual TWCK budget
Encourage/Support the lead pastor, his staff, and volunteers
Delegate to qualified assistants, staff, and/or outside experts as needed
Delegate to qualified teams:
Reconciliation Team—oversees processes leading to conflict resolution
Elder Response Team—manages situations where people, particularly participating members, are experiencing significant relational difficulties or moral failure
Anointing Team—anoints those who are sick with oil for healing purposes
Pray for the Sick
Affirm the work of the Prayer Team
In special circumstances, visit participating members who are sick (at home or in the hospital) for private counsel
Essential Components of an Elder
The biblical teaching on church leadership begins and ends with the character of the individuals who are called to the leadership team of the church. Our evaluation of individuals who aspire to serve as Elders at The Well Church Keller includes a comprehensive process to evaluate the “Five Cs,” with the primary focus on Character.
1. First “C”—Character (1 Timothy 3:2–7 and Titus 1:6–9)
Above reproach—Elders must lead by example and demonstrate a lifestyle free from patterns of sin.
Husband of one wife—Elders, if married, must be devoted spouses.
Temperate—Elders must be self-controlled, enslaved to nothing, and free from excesses.
Prudent—Elders must be sober, sensible, wise, balanced in judgment, not given to quick, superficial decisions based on immature thinking.
Respectable—Elders must demonstrate a well-ordered life and honorable behavior.
Hospitable—Elders must be unselfish with personal resources, willing to share blessings with others.
Able to teach—Elders must be able to communicate truth and sound doctrine in a non-argumentative way.
Not addicted to wine—Elders must be free from addictions and willing to limit their liberty for the sake of others.
Not pugnacious or quick-tempered—Elders must be gentle, patient, and able to exercise self-control in difficult situations.
Uncontentious—Elders must not be given to quarreling or selfish argumentation.
Free from the love of money—Elders must not be stingy, greedy, or for sordid gain, or preoccupied with amassing material things.
Manage own household—Elders must have a well-ordered household and a healthy family life.
Not a new convert/not a new believer—Elders must not be new believers. They must have been a Christian long enough to demonstrate the reality of their conversion and depth of spirituality.
Good reputation with outsiders—Elders must be well-respected by unbelievers and free from hypocrisy.
Not self-willed—Elders must not be stubborn, or prone to forcing their opinions on others or abusing authority. They must be servant-minded.
Loving what is good—Elders must desire the will of God in every decision.
Just—Elders must desire to be fair and impartial. Their judgments must be based on scriptural principles.
Devout—Elders must be devoted Christ followers, seeking to be conformed to His image. They must be committed to prayer, worship, the study of Scripture, and the guarding of their spiritual walk.
Holding fast the faithful Word—Elders must be stable in the faith, obedient to the Word of God, and continually seeking to be controlled by the Holy Spirit.
2. Second “C”—Competence: Defined as specific, Holy Spirit-endowed gifts and abilities, combined with skills acquired through training and life experience.
3. Third “C”—Chemistry: The intangible quality of being able to “fit” within the existing team. The ability to blend into and enrich the current circle of community and relational harmony within the board.
4. Fourth “C”—Courage: The ability, when needed, to enter into difficult exchanges and defend the faith, the church, and individuals in ways that preserve and maintain the community. The ability to speak the truth in love without destructive results.
5. Fifth “C”—Calling: The ability to sense God’s calling on one’s life for a particular season of service to the body of Christ: “I think God is in this.”
Essential Characteristics/Skills of Elders
Able to keep confidential information
Spiritual maturity
Able to exhort in sound doctrine
Excellent interpersonal skills
Excellent communication skills
Team player
Humility
Conflict-resolution skills
Essential Spiritual Gifts for Elders
The spiritual gifts of discernment, wisdom, and leadership are considered foundational gifts for those who serve as Elders; however, the presence of other gifts such as teaching, administration, encouragement, and mercy greatly enhance Elder functioning.
1. Discernment
The gift of discernment is the divine enablement to distinguish between truth and error. It is the ability to discern the spirits, differentiating between good and evil, right and wrong. Scripture references are: 1 Corinthians 12:10; Acts 5:1–4; and Matthew 16:21–23. People with this gift:
Distinguish truth from error, right from wrong, pure motives from impure motives.
Identify deception in others with accuracy and in an appropriate manner.
Determine whether a word attributed to God is authentic.
Recognize inconsistencies in a teaching, prophetic message, or interpretation.
Can sense the presence of evil.
2. Wisdom
The gift of wisdom is the divine enablement to apply spiritual truths effectively to meet needs in specific situations. Scripture references are: 1 Corinthians 12:8; James 3:13–18; 1 Corinthians 2:3–14; and Jeremiah 9:23–24. People with this gift:
Focus on the unseen consequences in determining what next steps to take.
Receive an understanding of what is necessary to meet the needs of the body.
Provide divinely guided or given solutions in the midst of conflict and confusion.
Hear the Spirit provide direction for God’s best in a given situation.
Apply spiritual truth in specific and practical ways.
3. Leadership
The gift of leadership is the divine enablement to envision the future of the church coupled with a humble heart to serve others. Scripture references are: Genesis 12:1; Isaiah 43:18–19; Matthew 7:7; Matthew 20:25–28; Luke 22:27; John 10:3–4, 11; I Corinthians 2:9–13; and James 1:5. People with this gift:
Are servants by nature; eager to see the church prevail in the world.
Demonstrate spiritual foresight that anticipates the work of God.
Allow Scripture and prayer to inform their decision-making process.
Impart vision to others using clear communication.
Can assess significant past events and their potential for impact on the present and future.
Are able to think creatively and apply ideas and concepts in new ways.
Desire accountability in fulfilling their responsibilities and meeting the needs of those they serve.
4. Teaching
The gift of teaching is the divine enablement to understand, clearly explain, and apply the Word of God, causing greater Christ-likeness in the lives of listeners. Scripture references are: Romans 12:7; 1 Corinthians 12:28–29; Acts 18: 24–28; and 2 Timothy 2:2. People with this gift:
Communicate biblical truth that inspires greater obedience to the Word.
Challenge listeners simply and practically with the truths of Scripture.
Present the whole counsel of God for maximum life change.
Give attention to detail and accuracy.
Are committed to consistent personal time of biblical study and reflection.