The point of this article is to let you know that Don Frank is moving and has resigned as elder at Good News Church. The elders have chosen Bruce Hawk as their nominee to fill his position. So, let me fill you in on the details by answering a few questions.
1. WHAT DOES THIS STUFF EVEN MEAN? WHAT IS AN ELDER AT GOOD NEWS CHURCH?
Good question. Good News Church is governed by a group of people that we call elders. We use that word because it is an English translation of a Greek word found the in the Bible: “presbuteros.” The word refers to a godly man who leads (and often teaches) in a church. There are a couple of other Greek words in the Bible that also refer to church leaders, and when translated into English they are words like overseer, shepherd, bishop, and pastor. And it seems to us that the New Testament even uses these terms interchangeably in passages like 1 Timothy 3:1-5 & 5:17, Titus 1:6-7, 1 Peter 5:1-2, and Ephesians 4:11. So, long story short, elder is a Bible word for church leader.
At Good News, the elder's oversight includes teaching, protecting, leading, discipling, equipping, and caring for the church body, as well as oversight of all ministry, operations, and finances of the church. They are responsible to be obedient to the Scriptures, and they appoint new elders as needed. At Good News, the elders delegate to Mario oversight of the day-to-day activities and programs of the church.
2. WHY DID DON FRANK RESIGN?
Don Frank is a great man who we’ve been happy to have on the board at Good News, but over the course of the next few months, Don Frank will be moving to St. Petersburg (Florida not Russia) to live closer to some family members that he and his wife (Rebecca) feel need them at this time. So, this departure is for a great reason. We are not happy to lose Don and Rebecca, but totally understand the importance of doing things like this. For those of you who know them, feel free to pray for Don and Rebecca, and perhaps even thank them for the role they have played at Good News.
3. WHO IS BRUCE HAWK?
Many of you already know Bruce. Bruce Hawk leads the Men’s Bible Study and the Outdoor Maintenance Team (the people who do lawn mowing, etc.) at Good News. Until a year-and-a-half ago, Bruce was the princpal at Redeemer Christian School here in town. The current elders (Mario Villella, Don Frank, and Gary Haverdink) have asked him to come on board as an elder.
4. WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR ME, AS SOMEONE WHO IS A PART OF GOOD NEWS CHURCH?
Well, there are two main things we want you to know that relate to your responsibility as the people of Good News Church:
First, if you know anything about Bruce that you think we need to know, now is your time to let us know. In fact, this what our church bylaws say about this: “Typically, the attendees of the church will be allowed to raise concerns before any prospective elder is confirmed. However, confirmation of the elder will be at the final discretion of the elders.” This means that while we’ve chosen Bruce as a man that we believe fits the qualifications of an elder (See 1 Timothy 3:1-7) we wanted to give you all the chance to let us know if there is anything in contradiction to that, that we need to know. If there is a particular unrepentant sin or a character issue that hasn’t been dealt with, please contact me and let me know. Otherwise, if there are no legitimate accusations that would disqualify him, then he will be officially installed as an elder sometime in the latter half of February.
Second, assuming Bruce is confirmed as the next elder in February, please begin praying for him. As a church leader he must live a life worth imitating, and he is planning on making sure his life is filled with time set aside to care for you all. Also, be prepared to submit to him as a leader in this church. Hebrews 13:7 & 17 say, “Remember your leaders who have spoken God’s word to you. As you carefully observe the outcome of their lives, imitate their faith…Obey your leaders and submit to them for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account, so that they can do this with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.”
