Elders
As we've searched the Scriptures we've come to the following understanding:
Paul's admonition to the Ephesian elders in Acts 20:28-29 and Peter's charge in
I Peter 5:1 give us clues to the function of Elders.
From these we see that and elder is a man called of God to function as:
A Shepherd (pastor)
An overseer
A guardian of the flock
One who willingly accepts these responsibilities without the objective of personal gain
Post a Comment to the Elders
Leadership Blog
Art and Ann Bourgeois
Arthur was ordained a Catholic priest in 1954. He and his wife Ann were married in 1973.
As a Catholic priest, Arthur ministered as a confessor, spiritual director, a parish priest and as retreat master at a residential retreat center.
As a married couple Arthur and Ann have been associated with the Tab. leadership for some 25 years. The main part of their work at this time, is providing housing, spiritual guidance and support to the homeless, the recovering alcoholics and to those who are seeking a deeper, more personal and intimate relationship with God.
Arthur is staff pastor at the Tab offering counseling (marriage & premarital) and spiritual direction for those in need of this ministry. As pastor, Arthur is available to visit the sick either in their homes or in the hospital.
Choice Theory and Reality Therapy
Don and Linda Lees
Married in December 1958 to Linda and they met Jesus in the mid 1960’s. They owned and operated a spiritual retreat/ conference center in Western , Pa during the charismatic renewal in the early 70’s and in the mid 70’s migrated to Melbourne Florida with their 2 children and joined Harris Corporation. In the early 80’s Don became and elder in the Tabernacle Church. Don and Linda have traveled extensively in the US and Internationally for both business and ministry related projects until 2004 when the Lord led them to focus primarily on the local body of Christ in Brevard County Florida and the Tabernacle Community in Melbourne.
John and Betty Whalen
John and Betty Whalen have been married for 51 years. Have three grown children, 10 grandchildren, 2 great grandchildren. John grew up in Pittsburgh, Pa. Served 22 years, US Army retiring with the rank of Lt. Colonel. Vietnam Veteran. Attended 1 year Divinity Program Lancaster Theological Seminary. Served 4 years as Elder, Stewardship & Finance Commission, United Presbyterian Church, Manasquan, NJ. John and Betty have five years experience presenting Marriage Encounter seminars. Began coming to Florida in 1994. Moved from New Jersey to Viera, Florida in 1999. Started fellowshiping at the Tabernacle in 1999. Became an Elder in 2002.
Michael and Marcia Smith
Were married by Jamie Buckingham in 1971 in the old tab building. Through many trials and failures, of which many were self inflicted, have found the Father to be faithful. Michael and Marcia own Tru-Quality Enterprises Inc. a construction company since 1994. MIchael is on the worship team and Marcia is involved in the womens ministry and sunday morning coffee fellowship.
Ralph and Carrol Mull
Born in Kansas City, Mo. in 1928. Lived and went to school in Kansas City, Ks. Joined the air force in 1948 and was trained as an aircraft crash firefighter. Spent military time in New Mexico and France. Discharged honorably in 1952. Married Carol Logan in 1953, one and only. Twenty nine years as a firefighter in, Fort Leavenworth, Ks., Kansas City, Mo., Blytheville, Ark., Whiteman AFB, Mo.,Kennedy Space Center, Fl., Johnson Space Flight Center, Tx. and Brevard County Fl. Received JESUS as savior and baptized in the HOLY SPIRIT in the late 1960’s and early 70’s. Has been a Tab Elder off and on again over the years since 1978. I have come to believe that God honors tenacity, as long as it is bathed in love and a concern for His body.
Roger Wilson
Roger grew up as a "preacher's kid." In 1956 he graduated from the Pastor's Course at Moody Bible Institute in Chicago. Shortly after graduation he was drafted into the Army. During the early space programs he was employed by the RCA Service Co. on the Eastern Test Range as a radar technician and later field support engineer. Much of his ten years with this company was spent outside the US, but during the last two years he was assigned to Patrick AFB in Florida.
After a layoff in 1968 he went through an intense "school of the Spirit" as he learned, in depth, to trust God for everything. He also was confronted with the reality of the work of Holy Spirit and experienced powerful new expressions of that work. He then served with the Agape Mission of Tampa as an officer aboard their ship, MV Morning Star, for a year. Next he joined his step mother in building a Christian book ministry and wholesale distributorship.
He became an elder at the Tabernacle Church around 1972. He was one of the first five elders when the church moved to an elder led structure. In those days all the elders were considered staff members and were supported by the congregation. Roger and Esther, his wife, spent most of their time counseling. In 1978 he he left the church staff and joined two others in starting a computer company. He continued as an elder until shortly before Jamie Buckingham died.
He functioned for three years with Esther as a caregiver for her two sisters during their final illnesses.
During a time of turmoil at the Tabernacle in 2000 Roger sensed the call of the Lord to return to assist in its rebuilding. In 2005 Esther went Home to be with her Lord. In 2004 he was again recognized as an elder of this community.
