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I’m Tom Nicholas — a pastor, teacher, and community builder living in Billings, Montana. My life and ministry flow from one heartbeat: to see the Church alive — Spirit-filled, rooted in Scripture, and moving with Jesus into the world. I serve as a pastor, chaplain, and mentor, helping people grow in faith, leadership, and everyday discipleship. Whether around a campfire, in a coffee shop, or through digital spaces, I believe the gospel belongs where life happens — in the field, among the people, and around the table. Through The Church Alive, I write about biblical leadership, spiritual formation, and building vibrant, missional communities that reflect the love and courage of Christ.

Lesson 2 — Roles & Relationships: Serving Together as One

Heartbeat: We are a Holy Spirit-filled Church Family, whose members engage deeply, serve faithfully, and reach their community for Christ.

🎥 Watch the Lesson

Elder Roles

Why this lesson matters

This session clarifies how our calling takes shape in relationships—how the pastor, the coordinating elder (first among equals), and the elder team lead together under Christ. You’ll see how elders shepherd the Six Pillars and how that spiritual leadership prepares and strengthens the church board.

Key Scriptures

  • Ephesians 4:16 — The body builds itself up in love as each part does its work.
  • Ephesians 4:11–12 — Pastors equip the saints for ministry.
  • 1 Timothy 4:16 — Watch life and doctrine closely.
  • Philippians 2:3–4 — In humility, look to the interests of others.

1) Christ at the Center

Christ is the Head. The Holy Spirit is the life and “nervous system” of the body.
Leadership is not hierarchy; it’s function in unity—servant-hearted, prayer-saturated, courageous.

2) The Pastor’s Role (shared pastoral calling)

  • Chief servant & shepherd of shepherds.
  • Guards doctrine; anchors the church in prayer and Word.
  • Equips elders to do the work of ministry (Eph 4:11–12).
  • New Testament pattern: pastor and elder often describe the same pastoral calling.
    • The difference is function and focus (vocational vs. lay).
  • We share one pastoral ministry together under the Chief Shepherd.

3) The Coordinating Elder (first among equals)

Affirmation: Our church’s past desire to avoid hierarchy is good and biblical.
Clarity: Plurality still benefits from servant coordination—not command, but connection.

Purpose of the role

  • Care for the elder team (check-ins, prayer, encouragement).
  • Keep communication clear; ensure no ministry area is neglected.
  • Provide continuity when the pastor is away (by coordinating the team).
  • Guard team health and unity.

Not this: a boss, unilateral decision-maker, or “do-everything” person.
Title options (choose culture-fit): Lead Shepherd, Elder Shepherd, Servant Shepherd, Guiding Elder, Elder Coordinator.

Safeguards: clear term (e.g., 1 year), transparent selection, written scope, shared decisions, quarterly review.

4) The Elder Team’s Role: Leading Through the Six Pillars

Elders are the spiritual leadership team—shepherding people and mentoring ministry leaders.
We organize that leadership around six core systems where church life flows:

The Six Pillars

  1. Worship & Discipleship — prayer, preaching, visitation, small-groups, spiritual formation.
  2. Evangelism & Community Outreach — relational evangelism, Bible studies, service to Billings.
  3. Education & Next Generation — Sabbath School, youth/Pathfinders, Christian school partnership.
  4. Church Planting & Expansion — mentoring leaders, praying toward new congregations.
  5. Support Ministries & Sustainability — stewardship, finance, facilities, long-term mission viability.
  6. Administration & Communication — systems, clarity, alignment, transparent communication.

How elders lead: Each elder shepherds a pillar—not to manage departments, but to mentor and equip the board/ministry leaders who serve in that area. Elders coach people; the board executes plans.

Elders & the Board: Rhythm that Works

Aim: Elders lead by spiritual preparation; the board leads by operational action.

Healthy cadence

  • Elders (before the board): pray, discern, align hearts; surface mission priorities.
  • Board: implement how to walk out that Spirit-led direction.
  • Between meetings: elders mentor pillar leaders (prayer, planning, encouragement).

Think of the elders’ meeting as the upper room before the board gathers (Acts 13:2–3).

Reflection & Action

Pray and journal (10–15 minutes):

  1. Where do I sense the Spirit inviting me to serve as a lay pastor among our people?
  2. Which pillar may I be called to shepherd? Why?
  3. How could meeting before the board strengthen our mission focus?
  4. Who is one ministry/board leader I can begin mentoring this month?

This week

  • Schedule a 20-minute check-in with the leader connected to your likely pillar.
  • Ask: “How can I pray for you? Where do you sense God at work? What’s one next step?”

Downloads

  • 📄 Lesson 2 Notes (PDF) – Roles & Relationships overview → [Upload & link your PDF]
  • 📋 Six Pillars One-Pager (PDF) → [Upload & link]
  • 🧭 Elders–Board Rhythm Checklist (PDF) → [Upload & link]

Quick Nav

  • ◀️ Lesson 1: The Calling of the Elder → [link to Lesson 1 page]
  • ▶️ Next: Pillar Focus — Worship & Discipleship → [link to next lesson page]
  • 🔒 Return to Elder Leadership Portal → [link to portal]

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