The Elders: Working Together as a Team
The body or council of elders is the God-given leadership team of the local church. They will do their best work when they work together well as a team, supporting each other, using the distinct gifts of each one, praying together, and making the most of their meetings together as they lead the flock of God. This year’s RTC Elder’s Retreat will explore the dynamics of a heathy eldership team.
Bring along your whole team, and bring other leadership teams from your church, to benefit from this day of input and interaction.
Conference Speakers:
Stephen Lewis
Stephen is the RTC’s Lecturer in Old Testament and Hebrew. He came to the RTC from the USA with extensive pastoral ministry experience. He holds three degrees, including a PhD in Hermeneutics and Biblical Interpretation (Old Testament), awarded by Westminster Theological Seminary.
Andrew Stewart
Andrew is Lecturer in Systematic Theology and a minister with more than thirty years’ pastoral experience across Northern Ireland, Cyprus, and Australia. He served for over twenty years as minister of the Reformed Presbyterian Church in Geelong and is the author of several commentaries in the Welwyn Commentary Series, including on Deuteronomy and Chronicles. Andrew brings a deep love for Scripture, careful theology, and pastoral wisdom to his teaching, helping equip ministers to preach God’s word with clarity and faithfulness.
Murray Capill
Murray is Dean of Ministry Development and Lecturer in Pastoral Ministry, with decades of experience in local church leadership and theological education. Originally from New Zealand, he pastored in Auckland for ten years before moving to Australia to continue pastoral ministry and teach practical theology full-time. A former Principal of the College, Murray is the author of Preaching with Spiritual Vigour and The Heart is the Target, and brings a rich blend of pastoral insight and preaching wisdom to the task of forming faithful gospel ministers.
Schedule:
| RTC | WA | NZ | Session info |
| 10.00 – 10.30 | 7.00 – 7.30 | 12.00 – 12.30 | Registration Morning tea @ RTC |
| 10.30 – 10.40 | 7.30 – 7.40 | 12.30 – 12.40 | Opening Welcome/Framing/Reading/Prayer |
| 10.40 – 11.10 | 7.40 – 8.10 | 12.40 – 1.10 | Expository Message Phillip Scheepers |
| 11.15 – 12.00 | 8.15 – 9.00 | 1.15 – 2.00 | The Body Of Elders: How Elders Work as a Team Murray Capill |
| 12.00 – 12.15 | 9.00 – 9.15 | 2.00 – 2.15 | Short Break |
| 12.15 -1.00 | 9.15 – 10.00 | 2.15 – 3.00 | Praying Together: The Prayer Life of the Elders for Each Other and the Church Andrew Stewart |
| 1.00 – 2.00 | 10.00 – 11.00 | 3.00 – 4.00 | Food and Team Time |
| 2.00 – 2.50 | 11.00 – 11.45 | 4.00 – 4.55 | Life Together: Building Healthy Relationships in the Team Stephen Lewis |
| 3.00 – 3.50 | 11.55 – 12.45 | 5.00 – 5.50 | Meeting Together: Making Meetings Work Well Murray Capill |
| 3.55 -4.20 | 12.50 -1.20 | 5.55 – 6.20 | Panel Discussion |
| 4.20 – 4.30 | 1.20 – 1.30 | 6.20 – 6.30 | Closing |
| Optional: Tea @ RTC/lunch WA /dinner NZ |