Interview with Elder Caleb
Elder Caleb has been serving as an elder for the past 5 years. Here, he shares with us what he does as an elder and how he has seen God at work in this church.
1. How would you describe your work as an elder to members?
Elders are leaders of the church who work together to teach the Bible to others and devote ourselves to prayer for members. In this way we lead the church to know and trust God, heed His will for us to live holy lives and help others to know Him. All the elders serve in this way, regardless of whether we preach, lead worship, teach at Care Groups, EQUIP, trainings or other church platforms. Some of us also have responsibilities leading ministries that are functional in nature. I happen to lead the Welcome and Assimilation Ministry, which receives our visitors and helps them get plugged into the church. I also dabble with communications and music.
2. How have you seen God at work in the church?
God has been doing a work of growth at Grace over many years but the last few years have been exciting. We can point to the growth in numbers as newcomers have joined us. We can also point to the ways that members revitalized spiritually begin to love each other with patience, compassion and kindness — glimpses of 1 Thessalonians in church life. But the Word is going out from us — we are passing on the Gospel to the next generation and our children, to the nations through missions, and even as we pray for other churches in Singapore
3. How has serving in this way grown your faith in God?
I am regularly reminded that the church does not belong to me though I have been here for many years. No one leader or group of leaders can make the church grow. It is Christ's church and He alone can build it. As an elder my role is to be faithful to teach and guard the Gospel, and we believe that in it is all the power we require for salvation. We have seen that power proved again and again at Grace.
4, How can church members be praying for you as a church member?
Please pray that the elders would together, be faithful to our calling. In this, pray that we would rely on the power of God and do things according to His way and not our own. Sometimes we get discouraged and can grow weary. Pray that men of flesh would be strengthened with God's energy, mental focus and emotional capacity to shepherd. And overflowing joy — we want to walk in the joy of the Lord.