GCR shepherd selection

One of the tasks of our congregation at GCR is to choose our leaders, and it has come time to add a few more to the group. The spiritual development of a congregation is directly related to the style and manner of leadership among its shepherds, so it’s paramount that we take this responsibility prayerfully and with all seriousness.

The plan is for our entire church family to engage in a process of appointing additional shepherds here at GCR. These are the important dates to follow to engage with the process fully.

Sunday, June 15
GCR Family Update on Shepherd Selection Process (online)

Sunday, June 29
Shepherd Selection Forms Available
selection forms can be turned into boxes at worship center exits, the welcome center, or the church office

Sunday, July 13
Shepherd Selection Forms are due by the end of the worship service

Sunday, August 31
Prospective Shepherds Presented to the Church
Family Update released on Biblical Accountability Phase (online)
Biblical Accountability Phase ends on September 14

Sunday, September 21
Shepherd Ordination in Worship Service

Careful and Prayerful Discernment

When considering a person as a shepherd at GCR, we need to be thinking in terms of spiritual maturity and character. We should be asking ourselves these types of questions:

• If I need spiritual advice, whose guidance do I seek?

• If I began to miss Bible class or worship, who would I want to call and check on me?

• If I were gravely ill, who would I want to come pray with me?

• If I got pulled into sinful behavior, who would I want to confront me about the problem?

• If I had a question about a biblical teaching or about living Gospel principles, who would I approach for dependable counsel?

• If I needed advice on handling a problem in my marriage or parenting my child, who would I feel comfortable approaching?

• When people get crossways with one another at church, who would I ask to help bring about a peaceful resolution to the conflict?

• If a Bible class teacher began to teach things I thought were not Scriptural and he/she ignored my concerns, who would I trust to help resolve it?

• Who impresses me as a teacher – not just in knowledge of Scripture, but in living the Word that obviously dwells in his heart and sharing it with others?

• Who do I want to hold up to my children as a model of walking with Jesus? Whose family impresses me as living like Christ in our community?

When speaking to the Lord about our shepherd selection process at GCR you might consider these areas of prayer:

•  Ask blessings for our current shepherds: Brandon Brunson, Byron Fender, Billy Futrell, Gary Glasscock, Richard Hatchett, Marc McQueen, Barry Thomas, and Eric West.

• Ask God to raise up men with servant hearts who are ready to serve our church as shepherds.

• Pray for men of character who are beyond reproach in our city and our church.

• Pray that our whole congregation will faithfully participate in the selection process.

• Pray that the new shepherds will fit in well with our current elders, and the leadership transitions will be smooth for them and for our church.

Shepherd selection resources

In 2023, we spent time teaching through the role and qualifications for Shepherds. If you missed it, or need a refresher, take some time to look through these resources.