|
Elders
“For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee.” (Titus 1:5)
The New Testament teaches that elders (also called bishops, pastors, and presbyters in the New Testament) were appointed in each local congregation. The modern hierarchy of denominationalism is unknown in the New Testament. Each New Testament congregation was autonomous (self-governing). There were no counsels, synods, or any type of central governing body of any kind.The qualifications of elders are given in 1 Timothy 3:1ff and Titus 1:6ff. Following the divine pattern the church that meets at 240 Liledoun Road is served by two elders.
Ralph Lowtharpe is a retired businessman who, along with his good wife Madge, has lived in Taylorsville and served the church here for a number of years. Ralph served as treasurer for several years and as an elder of the church for some ten years. Ralph and Madge are the parents of two grown daughters. Phone: 828-632-6145.
 Fred Watkins served as the Superintendent of the Alexander Correctional Facility, a medium security North Carolina prison located in Taylorsville for many years until his retirement. Fred served as an elder of the church in Wilkesboro, NC for a number of years. He has served the church here for more than ten years. Fred’s good wife is Kay. They have four sons. Phone: 828-632-5542
The Lord has blessed us greatly with these two faithful servants of the Lord. We appreciate so much their leadership. Both men have the respect and submission of the congregation and good reputation in the community.
Evangelist
An “evangelist” is simply a proclaimer of the good news of salvation, a gospel preacher. When the inspired apostle Paul wrote to the young servant Timothy he told him to “preach the word” and “do the work of an evangelist” (2 Tim. 4:2, 5). Further instructions included his giving “attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine (teaching) (1 Timothy 4:13) and to “study to show thyself approved unto God” (2 Timothy2:15). The clergy/laity system of modern denominationalism is conspicuously absent from the New Testament record. Churches of Christ do not exalt their preachers by the use of religious titles such as “reverend, pastor, father or doctor.” Our elders are the pastors of the flock (See Acts 20:28). Preachers serve the church, not as decision makers or one-man rulers, but as public and private proclaimers of the Word submissive to the oversight of the elders of the church.
 Jonnie Hutchison has been preaching the gospel for 28 years having served congregations in Arkansas, Virginia, Missouri, Texas and North Carolina. He is a 1976 graduate of the Memphis School of Preaching, a work of the Forest Hills church of Christ in Memphis, TN. He is married to the former Gail Bishop who is a constant encouragement to his work. Gail is the librarian at the Ellendale Elmentary School. Jonnie and Gail have three children. Amber, the oldest, is married to Luke Puckett. They reside near Benton, KY. Chris, age 20, is a junior at Freed-Hardeman University in Henderson, TN. Katie, the youngest, is a senior at Alexander Central High School. Jonnie began his work with the Liledoun Road church of Christ in July of 1994.
Questions? Address them to lrcoc@w4aw.org
|
