Mt 28:16-20ESV

Acts 9:1–3 ESV

But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him.

The Way of Jesus is: Disciples who make disciples.

Discipleship is the lifelong journey of surrender and obedience to Jesus.

Matthew 28:16–20 ESV

Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

The Way of Jesus is the Way of Worship.

John 4:19–24 ESV

The woman said to him, “Sir, I perceive that you are a prophet. Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, but you say that in Jerusalem is the place where people ought to worship.” Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father. You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews. But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.”

The Way of Obedience is The Way of Scripture.

Psalm 119:105 ESV

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

YOU ARE A DISCIPLE AND YOU ARE A DISCIPLE MAKER.

THE WAY OF DISCIPLESHIP AND DISCIPLE MAKING IS A LIFE LONG JOURNEY OF SURRENDER AND OBEDIENCE.

Elder Profile

The Elder Board at South Lake Wales Church of God gives overall direction and guidance to the work of the church.

The Elder Board is made up of eight men or women who serve staggered three years terms. In addition, two alternates are elected annually for a one-year term. The lead pastor is an elder but is the only staff member on the board.

Elder candidates are identified among South members who have demonstrated:

a deep commitment to serve the Body of Christ at South in a year-round leadership role,
capacity to serve as elder, and
spiritual maturity in their walk with Christ.

Elder Nominees Are Identified by The Following Process

● Holy Spirit. The elders and the congregation pray for the Holy Spirit to guide us to the right people.

● Congregation. Each October, the elders solicit names of potential candidates from staff, lay leaders, and the congregation.

● Nominating Committee. A nominating team of one elder, the lead pastor, and three members of the congregation is designated for the sole purpose of praying and evaluating candidates. Individuals are evaluated using these 5 C's:

Christ - their personal walk with Jesus.
Character - do they demonstrate traits described in 1 Timothy 3.
Competency - what leadership gifts would they bring to the team?
Chemistry - do they share the values and culture of the team?
Capacity - do they have margin to serve in this way?

● Lead Pastor. Candidates who align with the vision of the Church and 5 C’s are interviewed by the Lead Pastor, Nominating Committee, and Elder Chair.

●Congregation. Candidates' profiles are presented to the congregation one month prior to the annual business meeting. The congregation votes on the candidates in our annual business meeting each March.

Nomination applications are available in the CMC lobby.