Book Reviews from Around the World

This is a book about the ministry of elders in the local church. I decided I need to read up on this form of church government in preparation for joining Family Life Church in Boise. I had a vague idea of how it all worked before I read Team Ministry, but now it’s cemented in my mind.

Pastor Iverson explores 5 main forms of church government that we see in today’s modern church. He forms a clear case for the plurality of eldership being the biblical model for overseeing the church. The book is filled with scripture and has established a firm foundation in my mind concerning the office and function of elders in the local church.

The main premise of the book is that a team of elders, each functioning in their own gifting and calling, far exceed the effectiveness of a single pastor running a church. He makes clear how important it is to have different people in leadership within a local church, discussing how different sheep receive better from different shepherds.

I can’t say this was the most exciting book I’ve ever read. It’s not written to convict or convince. But it is a very helpful text in thinking about teamwork and ministry. He systematically laid out the benefits of a team of elders working together to shepherd the flock of God. He also gave some clear direction on how to raise up elders from within your congregation. I really appreciated the balanced doctrine and grace that Pastor Iverson writes with.

# posted by Danny Schulz @ 4:53 PM