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Dear Redeemer Hoboken,
Every month this newsletter focuses on at one of our church ministries. This month the purpose is to help you further understand the work of the Session, the body of elders that leads our church, and get to know the specific elders' hearts for their role. I was privileged to attend part of a Session meeting and to interview some of the elders and was heartened by both the humility and wisdom with which these men are guiding our church. I hope you are encouraged and moved to pray for them and their families as they pray for and care for you.
Sincerely,
Heidi Wheeler
Communications, Redeemer Hoboken
communications@redeemerhoboken.com
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Demystifying the Session- Men with a Heart for the Church
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| By Heidi Wheeler
One of the Bible's most specific passages about elder qualifications, Titus 1:6-9, outlines a man with an admirable family, God-honoring character qualities and a heart that "loves what is good."
"An elder must be blameless, faithful to his wife, a man whose children believe and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient. Since an overseer manages God's household, he must be blameless-not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain. Rather, he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined. He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.
-Titus 1:6-9
You likely realize we have a group of several men at Redeemer Hoboken that serve as our elders. Specifically, they are Jason Battaglia, Tony HInchliff, Peter Ko, Gary Lawrence, Glenn Miles, and Steve Warsavage. In accordance with Scriptural description of elders or through personal interaction, you may surmise that these guys would be considered "godly men" and maybe that they are somehow "in charge" but other than that, the rest of the elder role might be somewhat of a mystery to you, as it was to me until recently.
A little research revealed that in the Presbyterian church, the word Session refers to the body of elders, or the church governing and shepherding body. The Book of Church Order of the Presbyterian Church of America states that the Session "consists of the pastor, associate pastor (if any) and the ruling elders and states that the Session is charged with maintaining the Spiritual government of the church."
Part of the Presbyterian model is that all the elders work closely together and share in the church decision making equally to allow for collective wisdom and accountability. There are two types of elders; ruling elders are the elders that take part in all of the elder activities except preaching, and teaching elders preach in addition to the other facets of the role. At Redeemer, Pastor Tony Hinchliff is currently the only teaching elder and the rest are considered ruling elders.
The elder role is a lifetime appointment, as long as the elder attends the church where he is appointed. Because it is such an extensive commitment, every few years elders may take a sabbatical. This is a time for rejuvenation and when they abstain from attending the monthly Session meetings or voting on decisions accept in special cases. Currently, Jason Battaglia and Peter Ko are on sabbatical.
Though the Book of Church Order of the Presbyterian Church of America is a riveting read, book research isn't the same thing as personal observation; it can't provide the essence of the elder role I was seeking to understand. In an effort to offer transparency, Tony invited me to attend one of the monthly Session meetings. "Yikes, really?" I thought. Non-elders do not go to these meetings except in the late spring during budget time when ministry leaders go to discuss their ministries and budget requests. In my mind (a bit of exaggeration here), the men would be sitting around a large mahogany table in some Hoboken back room with red velvet curtains, smoking cigars and discussing the deep, dark secrets of the church.
Well, of course it was nothing like I had imagined. On a cold January night, I joined the four elders who are not currently on sabbatical at Tony's apartment (the church's bona fide meeting space). I felt welcome immediately as the men asked about things going on in my life and I was served tea English style (with milk). Yum. I listened to them discuss the agenda items and was left with three general impressions. The first is that these men are completely genuine and devoted to role that God has called them to. The second is that they are humble shepherds, seeking to guide the church because they care for its people. And lastly, they value prayer as their most valuable tool for doing God's work...and I didn't leave the meeting without me and my family being prayed for, which was very meaningful.
Other than Session meetings, elders are kept busy performing membership interviews, leading worship for Sunday services, forming and monitoring the budget, checking in with and encouraging the other church ministries, and occasionally dealing with discipline issues, among a whole host of other responsibilities. One of the elders stated that maybe their greatest challenge lies in not letting the administration aspects of the role monopolize the time for heart work like prayer.
You can tell that this particular group of men has worked together for a long time. There is an easiness between them; like what is possible in any smaller group of believers committed to each other. It was apparent that they see themselves as a team and marvel at the different gifts and passions that God has drawn together. They are also the first to admit that they are works in progress, as we all are. I got the sense that they are constantly seeking to grow in Christ and have not arrived at any sort of perfection but are living examples of daily grace.
As the church grows, the need for elders will likely grow as well. The process starts with a call for nominations from members and then progresses to those individuals attending an elder class and accepting the call. Our current elders are hopeful that God will raise up more men to be elders in his time.
I feel lucky that I was able to gain a true sense of the hearts of these men. Sometimes all the church may know about the elder role is the "products" they see from them- like a budget that was struggled over for months or new members or growing ministries. But behind the scenes they have wrestled with decisions and sought God's guidance in prayer. They love the Lord and feel the awesomeness of the task to care for his people.
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Reflections on Serving as An Elder at Redeemer Hoboken
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The elders felt it was important to give you their thoughts on being an elder as well. The five ruling elders discuss their roles in their own words below.
Jason Battaglia
I have been privileged and blessed to be a Redeemer Hoboken ruling elder since 2005. An elder's primary responsibility is to help strengthen and nourish the church body. One of the ways I do this is by supporting and encouraging our Pastor Tony. Additionally, I partner with the other elders (collectively, the "session") to take on important administrative duties, such as budgeting, assessing ministry needs, forecasting expenses, and determining salaries. Historically, one of the toughest decisions we had to make as a session was regarding the morning service- when and where to start it.
Since I am very extroverted, I am most passionate about the following ways of serving as an elder: (1) Meeting with the elders - truly inspiring men of God - to share our lives and pray together; (2) Praying with members in need; and (3) Interviewing new member candidates and hearing their testimony - always incredibly uplifting. Finally, since I love music and speaking in public, I enjoy serving as a member of the worship leading team as well.
Trepidation. That's what I felt when I was asked to be an elder of our church. Who was I to live up to what Apostle Paul wrote in Titus 1 about what an elder must be? I miss the mark miserably on many of his points. However, during prayers and consultations with family, there was a clear and steady thought of encouragement....that I wasn't called to be successful in the way we may defines success, but simply to be faithful and obedient. And that it was an honor and a privilege to be called to serve a community of believers for life. What weighty commitment! More encouragement came from knowing that I was not alone because I will be serving with men who also would lean resolutely on God.
I enjoy our session meetings where we surround business, organizational, and spiritual tasks of operating our church with prayer. I also enjoy praying for the sick based on James 5. What I enjoy the most is not necessarily as an elder but more as a member of our church; when I see people from our church obediently and boldly grow and live their lives as they were called, it confirms that Christ is in our midst. Whether they lead a ministry, go as a missionary, or become a pastor, there is evidence of the Word alive in their lives. It encourages me as I witness their trepidation, yet they still obey to be who they were created to be.
Gary Lawrence
It has been an honor and a joy to serve as an elder at Redeemer Hoboken. It is a daunting responsibility, and one we are able to do only by the power of the Holy Spirit. The responsibilities are broad, ranging from prayer for the church, care for all our members and all those who are part of the community, working with the deacons, trustees, and those who serve in all the various ministries, shepherding, working through discipline issues, handling budgets, supporting the pastor, and on and on. We always pray and remember that God is with us. Otherwise, we would be overwhelmed.
Serving as an elder has been a growing time, and I have had to learn many new lessons. One is humility. I have been surprised at how much I have had to lean on others. There has been much to learn from Tony and the other elders. It has been important to learn that the session only exists when we are together, called to order and working as a team under God's guidance. We are much better together, united as one, than we are as separate individuals. This is part of the wisdom of the Presbyterian governance structure. It has been an honor to participate in that process. I praise God for the opportunity to serve in this corner of his Kingdom. God is doing exciting things in Hudson County. His Kingdom is growing and on the move. He has a role for each one of us to play. It is exciting to see how he is working through the church.
 Glenn Miles
In my life experience, being an elder has always been likened to being a shepherd, which is a foreign concept with many in this day and time, and especially in the independent spirited NYC area. Few want to follow and most are skeptics and do not trust or invest. My how Christ must feel this daily. I almost did not accept the call but finally in prayer conceded that while the battle of sin, self and Satan rages in my life (others face a similar struggle every single day). God loves the church... His people. He has always taken care of this body/group both before and after Christ came to earth to die for our sins and asks leaders to move towards Christ and if they should fall, to do so in a way that demonstrates God's mercy to other sheep.
Elders have discipled and modeled following Christ earlier in my life, even when they were not popular or even considered misfits by some. Nevertheless, they pressed on and followed Christ and by their example made the path of service a high honor regardless of the sinner. The Christian New Testament body was founded on the confession of Truth that "thou are the Christ, the Son of the living God". So church is not about a preacher, elder or particular member but a body of sheep moving in the same direction after Christ, our only hope. Thus, I participate in the movement and tension of this effort that accomplishes change in all of us no matter how unwilling or fallen we may be and yet, am slowly learning to rest in His sovereignty to accomplish it all "to the praise of His glorious grace!"
Steve Warsavage
Beyond the awesome responsibility and privilege of participating in the shepherding and governance of God's church, what has struck me the most in being an elder, is seeing how God uses the very different gifts of the men on the Session. They are used in a way that is complimentary and continually in step with the leading of His spirit as He guides and builds the church here in Hoboken. This fills me with wonder. And as I see this leading and direction, one of my greatest desires for the church is that we all will, "attain to the unity of faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ." Ephesians. 4:13. And that in doing so we display this fullness and glory of Christ to our neighbors and the community around us. As part of that stature and fullness- I hope that other men in the church will aspire to and cultivate the desire to become elders. That the leadership of the church may be painted from a rich and varied palette, directed and used by God to build up His church and to glorify His Son. |
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Budget and Session Minutes
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| In an effort to provide transparency and encourage knowledge and participation in the congregation, going forward the newsletter will include:
-Monthly Session Minutes
-The Annual Budget Summary
-Giving Data
By clicking on the links below, you will be directed to the stated document. Please contact an elder if you have questions.
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The First Redeemer Hoboken Youth Event A Success
| |  By Steve Day
Much to everyone's astonishment, the first Redeemer Hoboken Youth event watched a world record setting Superbowl Sunday night. Several youth and adults gathered at the Day's home to take in the big game together. There was halftime arrival of "Madonna" much to delight of the women in attendance and considerable dancing occurred at that moment.Three quarters of the way through the event, nausea set in as the Patriots took the lead. However, that was quickly overcome by feelings of elation and carelessness in the last few minutes when the world record was set, screaming and joy was heard by all in the neighborhood!
The next Redeemer YHoboken Youth event will be March 3rd. Those in attendance will enjoy Laser Tag for $20 of unlimited play w/ the local Redeemer Mont Clair youth. More details to follow soon. Could this next event also set a world record?? We shall see.....
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