Fruitful and Faithful: Essays for Elders and Deacons

Healthy churches have healthy elders and deacons. When a local congregation is blessed with faithful officers the results are bountiful (Acts 6:7). Faithful and Fruitful: Essays for Elders and Deacons provides current and future church leaders with an exciting opportunity of personal development. Like its companion (Called to Serve), this collection of essays offers biblical and practical essays written by seasoned churchmen drawing upon a wealth of leadership knowledge, experience, and wisdom. Engaging study questions for each essay can help readers make the most of the Bible’s instruction and encouragement for those tasked with the responsibility and privilege of leading Christ’s church. Continuing education is often required of secular thought leaders; should anything less be expected in Christ’s church?

Publisher: Reformed Fellowship Inc
Type: Paperback
ISBN: 9781935369257

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William Boekestein is the pastor of Immanuel Fellowship Church in Kalamazoo, Michigan. He received his B.A. at Kuyper College and his M. Div. at Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary. Steven Swets graduated from Mid-America Reformed Seminary in Dyer, Indiana, with a Master of Divinity degree in 2007 and now serves as minister of Immanuel Covenant Reformed Church in Abbotsford, BC.

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‘I’ve been looking forward to this book ever since I heard of it in concept. It’s so important because Jesus’ mission is primarily worked out today within the context of the local church. That’s a stunning thought, and thoroughly biblical. While pastors receive much attention as the public face of a church, they can’t do their work without elders and deacons fulfilling their tasks as co-laborers. “Faithful and Fruitful: Essays for Elders and Deacons” encourages and equips church officers to the faithful discharge of their calling. It addresses specific situations and challenges within the life of the church and gives direct guidance according to biblical wisdom. I particularly enjoyed the first essay on the training of officers. William Shisko provides principles such as this: “Ordination to office does not confer commitments and abilities that were not present before the act of ordination.” He also provides practical tips and resources that will enable you to begin putting together your own training course as soon as you put down the book. The appendices are also extremely helpful, whether the study questions for each chapter or else the evaluation form for an annual review of the work of the pastor. This book is highly recommended!’ Ardis Vander Horst