When we installed our first group of elders at IDC we immediately put into place schedule of meeting twice a month.

Little did we know it wouldn’t be enough.

TWO LONG MEETINGS A MONTH

We meet on the first and third Thursday night of each month from roughly 7:30-10:30pm. The first monthly meeting is a “Member Centric Meeting (MCM)”. The bulk of each MCM is taken up with updates and prayers on about fifteen different family units in our membership directory. Prior to the meeting our elders delegate which family units they will visit/reach out to. They then come to the MCM with any pertinent updates and specific prayer requests. We’ve found that it takes us, on average, roughly 90 minutes for discussion and prayer on fifteen families. This shepherding plan is always the first order of business on MCM nights. The rest of our MCM time is normally occupied with administrative matters pertaining to body life and proactive shepherding.

The third Thursday night of each month is designated as an “Issue Centric Meeting (ICM)”. The average ICM is occupied with some theological or philosophical matter in the church. Sometimes the ICM has dealt with pressing issues like “what we believe about deacons” or “future building plans” to an overarching theological matter of unique importance like “a biblical understanding of sanctification.” We’ve found it incredibly helpful to have unhurried and specific conversations about things that count when it comes to our understanding of Scripture and application of it in our church body.

But we noticed early on that something was missing from these meetings: personal shepherding.

A THIRD MONTHLY MEETING

After all, we elders need to shepherd each other as well. Yet, the pressing matter of church life seemed to always crowd out opportunities for sustained reflection on how each man is doing spiritually.

So we added a third meeting, one where we can hold each other accountable and pray for specific needs and desires. This meeting is more informal and usually happens on the third Friday morning of each month from 6:00-7:30am. We share about current advances in holiness and struggles against sin, often counseling one another in the things of God. We all love to read so we’ve currently used this time to discuss a book that has unique emphasis on pastoral piety. The first book we’ve worked through is David Beaty’s study of M’Cheyne’s spirituality, An All-Surpassing Fellowship.

LONG-LASTING FRUIT

Now, I recognize that every church is different and thus every elder board will be unique. Many people hear about our three monthly meetings and say something, “Wow, that’s a lot! I don’t think we could do that.” And in some circumstances they definitely can’t. Frankly, as our church – Lord willing – grows and elder body expands, three monthly meetings may not always be our practice.

But let me tell you something, the Spirit has worked within us a sense of spiritual unity and joyful camaraderie that I don’t think we’d have otherwise. And I’m jealous to keep such a spirit among our shepherds. As David said in Psalm 133,

Behold, how good and pleasant it is
    when brothers dwell in unity!
It is like the precious oil on the head,
    running down on the beard,
on the beard of Aaron,
    running down on the collar of his robes!
It is like the dew of Hermon,
    which falls on the mountains of Zion!
For there the Lord has commanded the blessing,
    life forevermore.

Eldering is hard work and demands much time; maybe even three meetings a month! But rejoice in the labor. Trust the Spirit will do a work within you that is immeasurably greater than you would imagine.