Over the years of my ministry to MSMBC, I have taught that Christ is the head of the church. And he exercises his authority the a plurality of godly leaders. That is the clear teaching of the New Testament concerning spiritual leadership. No church is to be a “one-man show.” While one man should definite take the lead in shepherding the church, there should be a team of godly men around him to hold him accountable and share the burden of pastoral leadership.

Most churches that operate as I have described above call this group a board of elders. We have called our group of men the Church Council (not that we have any problem with the term “elders,” we just never got around to changing the official language). These men have served with me for more than ten years. And most of the men have walked with me since the very beginning of this change in the governing process of the church.

This group started our informally. I was a young pastor who needed advice. And I simply asked men that I trusted to meet with me regularly. And I would put before them the various matters going on in the life of the church and we would pray and study and talk through these things together. And as we became settled on matters of doctrine and ministry philosophy, we talked more about how to implement and defend these things. Who knew we forming an eldership? But the Lord has used them men to cause my ministry at Mt. Sinai to be peaceful, enjoyable, and fruitful. The congregation has received their pastoral leadership over the years. And they continue to look to these men during these days of transition.

Please pray for these godly men who continue to lead MSMBC after my departure and lead the congregation in its search the man the Lord has already appointed to be the next pastor of Mt. Sinai. They are:

Charles Charthern
George Hurtt
Richey Jones
Todd Jones
Marcellus Marsh
Harry Moreau
Phil Placenti
John Scroggins
Anthony Thompson