Called to Serve: Essays for Elders and Deacons [Paperback]

Michael Brown (Editor), Daniel R. Hyde (Contributor)

Book Description

Publication Date: 2007

Twelve authors have contributed to this valuable resource for training elders and deacons. The authors, ministers and professors in the United Reformed Churches in North America, have carefully explained the duties and responsibilities of elders and deacons, including practical suggestions on topics ranging from how to conduct a meeting efficiently to why it is important for the elder to know and defend Reformed doctrine. This book includes an excellent historical overview of the development of the Reformed churches from the Reformation to today; specific advice on dealing with potential church members who do not yet understand covenant theology and infant baptism; and a study guide with coordinated lessons from Scripture, the confessions, and each chapter of this book. It is clear that the authors consider the calling of elders and deacons to be significant. They encourage diligence on the part of elders and deacons to fill worthily the offices Christ has ordained. Contributing authors: John A. Bouwers, Michael G. Brown, W. Robert Godfrey, Michael S. Horton, Daniel R. Hyde, Nelson Kloosterman, Randal S. Lankheet, Bradd L. Nymeyer, Ralph Pontier, Kim Riddlebarger, Derrick J. Vander Meulen, Cornelis P. Venema.

Product Details

• Paperback: 280 pages
• Publisher: Reformed Fellowship, Inc. (2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0979367743
• ISBN-13: 978-0979367748
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #411,125 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Resource for Officer Training, November 30, 2007

By 

Jason Stellman (seattle, wa) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Called to Serve: Essays for Elders and Deacons (Paperback)

Called to Serve is an excellent resource not only for training officers in Reformed and Presbyterian churches, but also for expanding one's own understanding of the New Testament's teaching on the subject of ministers, elders, and deacons.

Though the book is written by and for officers in churches within the Dutch Reformed tradition, I would highly recommend it for use in PCA (the denomination in which I pastor), OPC, and other Presbyterian denominations as well.

One of the best and most challenging chapters, written by editor Michael Brown, addresses the question of whether people with baptistic theology should be allowed to join Reformed churches. Though the Dutch Reformed answer this question differently than do Presbyterians (the former say "no," the latter "yes"), this question is nonetheless a crucial one with which all potential officers should wrestle, regardless of their denominations' take on this issue.

As a church planter in the Presbyterian Church in America I am in the process of training elders and deacons, and after having searched far and wide for quality curricula, I was thrilled to come across this well-written and accessible volume. I commend it highly.

Rev. Jason J. Stellman
Exile Presbyterian Church
Woodinville, WA

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Essential Study for Elders and Deacons, June 13, 2008

By 

Shane (Washington State) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

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This review is from: Called to Serve: Essays for Elders and Deacons (Paperback)

I agree with the earlier reviews; this book is great. We've used it in our church setting, and the men who are going through it (many being trained for the first time) have said often how much they like it. They do say that it is a "workout," but none of them would subtract any part or chapter.

There are a few typos and such that will no doubt be fixed in the future editions. Regardless, I highly recommend this manual.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars For both Church Officers and the Congregation, May 17, 2008

By 

Dan Palmer (San Diego, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Called to Serve: Essays for Elders and Deacons (Paperback)

Several of us had the opportunity to use this book for our officer training in preparation for becoming elders and deacons last summer. For many of us who were not raised in the reformed tradition of our Christian faith, much of the material was new and greatly needed. The material is comprised of 16 chapters written by different individuals and covers material such as our Biblical calling, history of our Reformed Doctrine and several chapters of practical guidance on how to fulfill our calling. I find myself referring to it often over this last year. It would also be useful for the Congregation at large to better understand the goals behind the Elders and Deacons responsibilities as they shepherd God's Church while we are serving in these capacities.