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I have been dealing with the South African Department of Home Affairs (SADHE) about getting permanent residence so we can stay in the country indefinitely.

The SADHE will grant permanent residence providing we do not have criminal records (we don’t) and providing we obtain a current FBI report on myself and my wife, Karen.

We had an FBI background check a year ago, but SADHE is saying that background check is not current enough! Even though we have been in South Africa for the better part of a year and have not committed any crimes here or in the US!

We have a saying here – TAB – That’s Africa, Baby.

The catch is, the SADHE may require us to leave SA and return to the USA in January 2007 in order to obtain FBI reports.

We don’t want to spend the time or the money to return to the USA.

Please pray that we won’t need new FBI reports, but if we do then pray that we can get them without having to go back to the USA.

A bookplate is one of those things pasted on the inside cover of a book that shows who’s library the book is from. This does not prevent other people from taking your books. Hopefully it makes them feel bad when they look at the book and hopefully they will be motivated to return it. I have not had any missing books returned, yet.

A bookplate should represent the owner of the book. It should contain more than just “from the library of . . . ” It should contain things that are important to the owner of the book and that give an insight into what kind of person the owner is. It should also be a bit cryptic.

Here is my bookplate. I worked on it off and on over the last 5 years. It contains artwork by my favorite artist Albrect Durer, the grotto around the edge is by him. The ship on the storm tossed sea is a great metaphor for life, and I just like sailing ships, I also like sailing and the sea. Right there in just the ship and the sea we have five clues to the owner of this bookplate. The compass guiding the ship has ‘Lord’ and ‘Word’ on it, not too hard to figure out the ideas behind that one.

See if you can find; a pirate flag, a globe, the continent of Africa, an open book, the first initials of my family, and other things. There are also Latin and Greek phrases, do you know what they mean?

This is a list of responsibilities for elders and not a definition of those responsibilities nor a description of how they are to be carried out. This list must not be considered as the only responsibilities that elders are accountable for. The obligation to “shepherd the flock of God” encompasses much more than any list can include. This starting point provides the basic direction, points of accountability and principles needed for an elder to fulfill his ministry.

Most of the NT passages dealing with the duties of Elders/Overseers/Bishops:

Acts: 6:1-6; 11:28-30; 14:23; 15:1-7; 15:20-23; 15:28; 16:4; 20:17-21; 20:28-31; 20:35; 21:17-25. Romans: 12:8. 1 Corinthians: 3:1-11; 4:1-2. 1 Thessalonians: 5:12-13, 1 Timothy: 1:18-19; 3:1-7; 4:7; 4:12-5:22; 6:10-14; 6:20. 2 Timothy: 2:15; 4:1-2, Titus: 1:5-9; 2:1; 2:7; 2:15-3:2; 3:10. Hebrews: 13:7; 13:17; 13:24. James 5:14, 1 Peter 5:1-5.

Responsibilities of Elders Stated Positively

Elders are to;

1) have the authority to delegate important tasks, Acts 6:1-6
2) direct the congregation in important tasks, Acts 6:1-6
3) initiate ministries within the church, Acts 6:1-6
4) devote themselves to prayer, Acts 6:1-6
5) devote themselves to the ministry of the Word, Acts 6:1-6
6) lay their hands on individuals to commission them to ministry, Acts 6:1-6; 1 Tim. 4:14, 5:21-22
7) be involved with and responsible for finances, Acts 11:28-30
8 ) serve for the people in the church, Acts 14:23
9) hear-out and judge doctrinal issues in the church, Acts 15:1-7
10) check on the status and progress of other ministers, Acts 15:1-7, 21:17-19
11) examine doctrinal issues, Acts 15:1-7
12) discuss/debate doctrinal issues between themselves, Acts 15:1-7
13) inform the church of their decisions concerning doctrinal issues, Acts 15:20-23 & 28
14) involve the congregation in making some decisions, Acts 6:1-6, 15:20-23 & 28
15) make decisions that are binding upon the church, Acts 15:20-23 & 28, 16:4
16) be with the people, Acts 20:17-21, 28-31 & 35
17) serve the Lord by serving the church with humility, Acts 20:17-21, 28-31 & 35
18) declare to the church anything that is profitable for them, Acts 20:17-21, 28-31 & 35
19) teach the people in public, Acts 20:17-21, 28-31 & 35; 1 Thess. 5:12; 1 Tim. 4:12-5:2
20) teach the people in private, Acts 20:17-21, 28-31 & 35; 1 Thess. 5:12; 1 Tim. 4:12-5:2
21) declare doctrines of the gospel, Acts 20:17-21, 28-31 & 35
22) stand guard over their own life and doctrine, Acts 20:17-21, 28-31 & 35
23) stand guard over the life and doctrine of the church, Acts 20:17-21, 28-31 & 35
24) shepherd the church, Acts 20:17-21, 28-31 & 35; 1 Peter 5:1-5
25) be alert and watchful, Acts 20:17-21, 28-31 & 35
26) remember the faithfulness of past elders and imitate them, Acts 20:17-21, 28-31 & 35
27) be an example to the church, Acts 20:17-21, 28-31 & 35; 1 Tim. 4:12-5:2; Titus 2:7; 1 Peter 5:1-5
28) work hard, Acts 20:17-21, 28-31 & 35; 1 Thess. 5:12; 1 Tim. 5: 17 & 21-22
29) help the weak, Acts 20:17-21, 28-31 & 35
30) remember the words of Jesus, Acts 20:17-21, 28-31 & 35
31) give rather than receive, Acts 20:17-21, 28-31 & 35
32) resolve important issues on their own authority, Acts 21:17-25
33) lead the congregation, Rom. 12:8; Heb. 13:7 & 17
34) be careful and precise in how they go about their duties, 1 Cor. 3:1-11
35) be seen as servants of God, 1 Cor. 4:1-2
36) administrate the mysteries of God, 1 Cor. 4:1-2
37) be trustworthy, 1 Cor. 4:1-2
38) be in charge of and rule over the congregation, 1 Thess. 5:12; 1 Tim. 5:17
39) fight for the faith, 1 Tim. 1:18-19, 6:10-14
40) maintain faith and not be shaken, 1 Tim. 1:18-19
41) have a clear conscience, 1 Tim. 1:18-19
42) men who desire to serve in the office of elder, 1 Tim. 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9
43) be blameless, above reproach, 1 Tim. 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9<
44) be the husband of one wife, 1 Tim. 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9
45) rule their own house well and with dignity, 1 Tim. 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9
46) be self-controlled, temperate, sober, 1 Tim. 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9
47) be sensible, sane, of sound mind, 1 Tim. 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9<
48) be well behaved, orderly descent, 1 Tim. 3:1-7
49) be given to hospitality, 1 Tim. 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9
50) be forbearing, considerate, moderate, gentle, 1 Tim. 3:1-7
51) be peaceable, 1 Tim. 3:1-7
52) be able to teach, 1 Tim. 3:1-7
53) able to keep his children under control with dignity, 1 Tim. 3:1-7
54) take care of the church, 1 Tim. 3:1-7
55) have a good reputation with those outside the church, 1 Tim. 3:1-7
56) discipline themselves with, in and for godliness, 1 Tim. 4:7
57) be an example of proper speech to all believers, 1 Tim. 4:12-5:2
58) be an example of proper conduct to all believers, 1 Tim. 4:12-5:2
59) be an example of proper love to all believers, 1 Tim. 4:12-5:2
60) be an example of proper faith to all believers, 1 Tim. 4:12-5:2
61) be an example of proper purity to all believers, 1 Tim. 4:12-5:2
62) read Scripture in public, 1 Tim. 4:12-5:2
63) exhort believers, 1 Tim. 4:12-5:2
64) take pains to be precise in living godly, 1 Tim. 4:12-5:2
65) be absorbed in living godly and their duties, 1 Tim. 4:12-5:2
66) be noticeably maturing in the faith, 1 Tim. 4:12-5:2
67) examine their own teaching carefully, 1 Tim. 4:12-5:2
68) examine their own lives carefully, 1 Tim. 4:12-5:2
69) persevere in godly living, 1 Tim. 4:12-5:2
70) treat all people properly according to their station, 1 Tim. 4:12-5:2
71) must not discriminate at all, 1 Tim. 5:21-22
72) be careful about laying on hands so they do not release an unqualified person on the church, 1 Tim. 5:21-22
73) keep themselves free from sin, 1 Tim. 5:21-22
74) flee from greed, 1 Tim. 6:10-14
75) pursue righteousness, 1 Tim. 6:10-14
76) pursue godliness, 1 Tim. 6:10-14
77) pursue faith, 1 Tim. 6:10-14
78) pursue love, 1 Tim. 6:10-14
79) pursue perseverance, 1 Tim. 6:10-14
80) pursue gentleness, 1 Tim. 6:10-14
81) keep the commandment without fault, 1 Tim. 6:10-14
82) guard the responsibilities entrusted to them, 1 Tim. 6:20
83) avoid worldly chatter, 1 Tim. 6:20
84) avoid empty chatter, 1 Tim. 6:20
85) avoid false and apparently knowledgeable arguments, 1 Tim. 6:20
86) diligently work to be approved by God, 2 Tim. 2:15
87) accurately handle the Word of Truth, 2 Tim. 2:15
88) preach the Word, 2 Tim. 4:1-2; Heb. 13:7
89) be ready at all times to fulfill your responsibilities, 2 Tim. 4:1-2
90) reprove with patience and instruction, 2 Tim. 4:1-2
91) rebuke with patience and instruction, 2 Tim. 4:1-2
92) exhort with patience and instruction, 2 Tim. 4:1-2
93) maintain order in the church, Titus 1:5-9
94) have children who believe, Titus 1:5-9
95) be God’s stewards, Titus 1:5-9
96) love goodness and what is good, Titus 1:5-9
97) be just, fair, righteous, Titus 1:5-9
98) be holy, devout, pious, Titus 1:5-9
99) hold firmly to the faithful word and teach it, Titus 1:5-9
100) exhort the church in sound doctrine, Titus 1:5-9
101) refute those who contradict sound doctrine, Titus 1:5-9
102) speak in accordance with sound doctrine, Titus 2:1
103) maintain purity in doctrine, Titus 2:7
104) be dignified, Titus 2:7
105) exercise authority when speaking, exhorting and reproving, Titus 2:15-3:2
106) remind the congregation to be subject to their rulers, Titus 2:15-3:2
107) remind the congregation to be subject to those in authority over them, Titus 2:15-3:2
108) remind the congregation to be obedient, Titus 2:15-3:2
109) remind the congregation to be ready to do good deeds, Titus 2:15-3:2
110) remind the congregation to not speak evil of or malign anyone, Titus 2:15-3:2
111) remind the congregation to be peaceable, Titus 2:15-3:2
112) remind the congregation to be gentle, Titus 2:15-3:2
113) remind the congregation to be considerate of all people, Titus 2:15-3:2
114) cast out factious people in the church, Titus 3:10
115) keep watch over the souls of believers, Heb. 13:17
116) give an account of their ministry to God, Heb. 13:17
117) pray for those in the church, James 5:14
118) minister to those who are sick, James 5:14
119) shepherd the flock of God, 1 Peter 5:1-5
120) exercise oversight of the church, 1 Peter 5:1-5
121) serve the church voluntarily, 1 Peter 5:1-5
122) be elders according to the will of God, 1 Peter 5:1-5
123) serve with eagerness, 1 Peter 5:1-5
124) be humble, 1 Peter 5:1-5

Responsibilities of Elders Stated Negatively

Elders must not;

1) neglect the Word of God, Acts 6:1-6
2) be an innovator in the basics of the faith, 1 Cor. 3:1-11
3) be a drunkard or given to drink, 1 Tim. 3:1-7, Titus 1:5-9
4) be greedy, covetous, a lover of money, or fond of sordid gain, 1 Tim. 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9; 1 Peter 5:1-5
5) be quick-tempered, inclined to anger, pugnacious, nor violent, 1 Tim. 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9
6) be a new convert, a novice, 1 Tim. 3:1-7
7) fall into reproach, 1 Tim. 3:1-7
8 ) fall into the snares of the devil, 1 Tim. 3:1-7
9) be involved in worthless worldly rumors and fables, 1 Tim. 4:7
10) neglect their spiritual gifts, 1 Tim. 4:12-5:2
11) be ashamed, 2 Tim. 2:15
12) be accused of dissipation, Titus 1:5-9
13) be accused of rebellion, Titus 1:5-9
14) be arrogant or self-willed, 1 Titus 1:5-9
15) let anyone disregard them, Titus 2:15-3:2
16) serve under compulsion, 1 Peter 5:1-5
17) serve for financial reasons, 1 Peter 5:1-5
18) think they are lords of the congregation, 1 Peter 5:1-5

Check this out.

I live in Polokwane, South Africa, think ‘farming and mining town of about 75,000 from the American West of 40 years ago’ and you get the idea. We are pretty much the last stop before the middle of nowhere Africa, some even say we are the beginning of nowhere. We are off the edge of the map, like the place Jonah was sailing to, but we have everything here when it comes to religion. All the cults are here and one of the biggest false religions in all of Africa, the ZCC, is headquartered right outside of town. Their Easter gathering brings in well over a million people each year. Yes, over a million people.

I’m not really interested in talking about the cults right now, but about one man from one of the many flavors of Christianity that are all represented here. I’m talking about Danny the Prophet, my new barber. He is an interesting man, a white gentleman about 60, born in Zimbabwe, went to Bible college here in South Africa, was a pastor for about 12 years, left the ministry, and is now a full time barber, but back serving in the church in the capacity of a prophet.

I had never met him before today, but he knew who I was and what I do. Now, Polokwane is not that big and everyone knows everyone else here so I can only guess that he heard about the new American professor at the seminary in town, but he knew quite a bit about who I am, what I am doing and about my family, maybe he knows too much. Anyway, I sat in his chair, he greeted me with my first name, even though we did not introduce ourselves, and he immediately began talking about his history and how he had been looking into Ephesians 4. He had come to understand that the church needed more teachers like me because so many Christians were tossed here and there by every wind of doctrine and strange teaching. So far I was agreeing with everything he had to say. He has a kind and gentle spirit and he loves the Lord and His Church and he was desperately trying to encourage me in my work and he was thanking me for moving all the way to Polokwane to help out the church here.

When he was done cutting my hair he said that the Lord had revealed to him that one of my older sons would follow me into the ministry and that I would be getting more and more involved in church ministry. Danny and I are on nearly opposite ends of spectrum when it comes to the sign gifts and these kinds of things, but I did not try to correct or refute or instruct or confront him in any of his “prophesying.” He is a good Christian man trying to serve the Lord as best as he knows how, but I know this does not excuse any error he might promote. Over the months and years to come we will have many more conversations, Lord willing, and we will no doubt talk about these kinds of things. It would be foolish and ham-fisted of me to smack him with an exposition of the spiritual gifts and, right now, that would just destroy any Christian fellowship we have.

I don’t go around picking fights and looking for reasons not to fellowship with other Christians. Any fool can find fault and start a fight, but faithful are the wounds of a friend and Christians will readily receive instruction from a brother or sister in Christ that loves them. I am all for confronting error that is leading people astray, and I think I do that more than the average Christian, but it seems a lot of what is trying to be passed off in the Christian blogosphere as “discernment” is nothing more than “finding fault with people who are not exactly like me.”

Not everyone with a blog or web page or pulpit for that matter is qualified to examine another person’s ministry. No one has been called to the fulltime ministry of confrontation and condemnation.

I wonder what messages from God Danny the Prophet will have for me next time.