Elders

In Acts 20: 17 Paul calls the leaders of the church at Ephesus to a meeting in nearby Miletus. These leaders are called ‘elders’ in this verse. The Greek word for elder is ’presbyteros’. Later in the chapter, in 20:28, he tells them the Holy Spirit has made them ‘overseers‘, which is the Greek word ‘episkopos‘, or bishop. Again in verse 28 he tells them to ‘feed’ the flock. This is the Greek word ‘pastor’.

These three words describe the character and function of those who the Holy Spirit has called to help the body of Christ. Scripture uses the term ‘elder’ to describe those who are older and experienced in the faith who live godly, balanced lives and have a heart for the discipling of believers.

They have oversight, meaning a responsibility and accountability to God, each other, and the ‘flock’. Lastly, they have a heart to ‘feed’ the people, always thinking of their welfare and care.

Again, these words are used to describe the heart and soul of leadership, not titles to be worn. These are the people who most have the heart to help other house churches get started and care for the members of CWOW.

How does one become an elder?

Elders are noted for their solid Christian lives and Christian life experience, and have a heart to pastor and disciple other believers that make them natural leaders. Additionally, Paul stated in I Tim 3:1 that "those that desire the office of (overseer) desire a good thing", indicating that such a person has a desire to become a part of a leadership team.

Paul also exhorted believers ’to know those that labor among you’ and not allowing a ‘novice, lest they fall under condemnation of the devil‘, indicating the need for working with people for some time before they become leaders.

It is also noted that Paul sent Timothy and Titus into churches to ’ordain’ elders, as was his practice as seen in the book of Acts. For these reasons we acknowledge a combination of factors that must be present for a person to be an elder with CWOW. The mature Christian life, a desire to become involved in leadership, a history of involvement in the ministry, and the recognition by others all contribute to CWOW’s recognition of that which God has already ordained.

At such point these factors come together an invitation may be extended from CWOW to an individual or couple to become recognized as an elder and part of the leadership team.

CWOW elders are the ones who travel from ‘house to house’ and help affiliated CWOW’s around the world get started and mature as the need and desire arise

Elders are responsible for attending corporate elders meetings

Qualifications follow Biblical standards as outlined in I Tim 3 and elsewhere

CWOW is a house church network meeting in various houses from week to week.

Policies on hosting and reimbursement

Hosts need not be elders (though elders may host), they fulfill the role of deacon in scripture and guidelines laid out in I Tim 3 will be followed.

Each house church will have at least one elder present on Sunday mornings.

CWOW will only expand as we have elders available to help with the growth process.

It is not the desire of CWOW to place all of the burden of hosting every week on one family, therefore CWOW will expand only when there are 2 families desiring to host.

The responsibility of pastoring the people falls primarily on the elders, not on the host.

CWOW is a house church network however we also want to meet corporately on a regular basis. These corporate meetings will be scheduled every 8 weeks or so on a Sunday morning or as determined by the elders

If questions or issues are brought to the host they should in turn be brought to the elders, and from there may be discussed in elder’s meetings.

CWOW members may attend ‘house to house’ within the guidelines of common courtesy, (calling ahead to see if there is room, etc) but because CWOW meets ‘house to house’ attendees should come primarily from the area of the host homes and should be committed to that house church.

It is highly recommended that CWOW churches will have a potluck once a month.

CWOW will reimburse the host for supplies for a monthly potluck and other incidentals up to $50 per month upon submission of store receipt(s).

Purchases above $50 must be approved ahead of time or will not be reimbursed (Possible one time purchases include folding chairs, utensils, hot pads, table cloths, etc.)

Elders may authorize up to $100 for supplies or benevolence at their discretion.

If there is a need in a church to purchase children’s or other material a request may be submitted for consideration. Purchases must be approved before purchase is made to qualify for reimbursement.

Children must be under parental supervision at all times, but recognizing that each CWOW church may have children of various ages, it is up to the members of each church to mutually decide what is best for their children.

A note about children

Depending on their ages, some churches may choose to have children in with their parents, some may designate a children’s room, some parents may take turns from week to week teaching them for a portion of the meeting. Some churches may designate a portion of the adult meeting for the children’s lesson, or other combinations.

The discipling process involves more than just teaching, it is being around other Christians and interacting through life’s challenges which has great benefit to children. The traditional church method of dropping off the kids and letting someone else teach them Christian truths is not valid in a house church setting, therefore parents have the ultimate responsibility for training their children in the things of God. CWOW exists as a ‘whole family’ ministry and will help facilitate the incorporation of the whole family into our church family as we are able.

Intercessory Prayer

Intercessory prayer is an important facet to any church. CWOW may hold corporate prayer meetings or individual CWOW’s may meet on a ‘house to house’ basis as determined by it‘s members.

A suggested daytime format that works well is to meet at 10am for prayer, followed by fellowship and/or food

Another format would include evening prayer with food and fellowship

Church wide prayer requests will be made available via members bringing their group’s list to the meeting, checking the web site, or other means

Meeting Sunday mornings

Recognizing that many house churches struggle with issues related to being a ‘legitimate’ church in the eyes of some, and not wanting to be in a position which forces a person to make a decision of loyalty with their ‘own’ church, it will be the policy of CWOW that:

CWOW affiliates will meet on Sunday mornings as their main ‘service’ times

Meeting times over and above Sunday mornings will be at each group’s discretion.

Involvement in the Christian community

CWOW encourages hosts and leaders to be active in the Christian community, however some pastors want only ‘their’ members working on their projects and have set up volunteer applications and standards for their staff. In respect of other churches it will be the policy of CWOW that:

CWOW hosts and leaders may volunteer in unofficial capacities with other churches and ministry groups

Hosts and leaders shall not become ‘official’ volunteers in other churches. "Official" means completing a volunteer application with that church or other means by which a pastor may expect that volunteer to be a member of his church

Receiving of tithes and offerings:

Receiving and safeguarding the tithes and offerings of each house church are a major concern. Protection for the giver and the church is a priority. For the Tulsa area the policy shall be:

The opportunity for attendees to give tithes and offerings will be provided during each meeting. This can happen in several ways: an offering basket placed in the room, prayer at some point in the meeting or at the close of the meeting

Gifts will be placed in a seal able pouch or bank bag (provided by CWOW) to be picked up by courier the following day or when appropriate.

Gifts may also be placed individually in the self addressed and postage paid envelopes provided and put in the mail by the elders, or picked up by courier as above

For CWOW affiliates outside of the Tulsa area the above policies remain in place plus:

The opportunity for attendees to give tithes and offerings will be provided during each meeting. This can happen in several ways: an offering basket placed in the room, prayer at some point in the meeting, or at the close of the meeting

Gifts will be placed in an envelope to be mailed weekly (envelopes/postage provided or reimbursed by CWOW)

Insurance

CWOW will carry a policy covering itself and affiliates in three major areas: personal liability protection against accident or injury in the host home, liability protection against improper counsel or advice, and coverage for sexual abuse or harassment that may occur in a CWOW related event.

It is the policy of CWOW to take steps to educate affiliates about issues related to the above and will provide material to affiliates for this purpose as part of a ‘Start Up Kit’.