By Kevin Zemanek, Chairman, Leadership Board 

Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

At Calvary, we believe it is critical that all Christians grow to maturity in their walk with Jesus Christ.  Being lifelong learners is very much a biblical concept.  Proverbs speaks often of the value of knowledge (Proverbs 24:5, A wise man has great power, and a man of knowledge increases strength) and being a student (Proverbs 18:15, The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge; the ears of the wise seek it out.)  In Hosea 4:6, the Israelites were charged by God due to their lack of faith and desire to learn about and understand the Lord – My people are destroyed from lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also reject you as My priests; and our Lord and Savior is none other than the Rabbi– or Teacher – of us all.  The Leadership Board is responding to this call to lifelong learning.

The Leadership Baton

Combining a desire to support Calvary’s vision to be a leadership development center with a desire to learn material that can be applied in our roles on the Leadership Board, we chose to read and discuss the book, “The Leadership Baton,” by Forman, Jones, and Miller.  The basic idea of this book is that churches must be intentional and strategic about developing leaders.  We need to be engaging with and cultivating our future leaders now so that they are prepared to serve – at all levels within the church – when called upon. Prior to each Board meeting, we read two chapters and considered some of the questions at the end of each chapter.  At the Board meeting, we discussed the chapters and questions, learning both from the book and from each other.  The variety of our backgrounds, ages, and professions made for interesting and engaging discussion.  As we’ve now completed this book study, we are actively looking for ways to utilize our new understanding.

Spiritual Leadership

We have selected to study next ,“Spiritual Leadership,” by J. Oswald Sanders.  For the past couple of years the Leadership Board has been considering and praying about a transition to more of an Elder Board.  I can’t say that I know exactly what that transition means just yet, but we’re hoping that through prayer, discussion, and this book we will get closer to understanding what God has in store for us.

Paths of Discipleship

For all of us at Calvary, there are available the “Paths of Discipleship.”  Divided into three tracks, a variety of classes are taught on an ongoing basis.  Track One is for those who are new to Calvary.  This path is for the person who wants to find out more about who we are as a family of families…the church.  Track Two is for those
who want to take the next steps in their journey.  It includes a four-week membership class, explaining how a person actually joins Calvary Evangelical Free Church.  Track Three is for those who want to grow as leaders in their personal lives, in their families, and in the church. There is a team also developing  opportunities oo participate in small group training and ministry life education.  More information about the Paths of Discipleship can be found at www.calvaryefc.org.

Take time each day to be a student – study at the feet of the Master – by reading the textbook that He has provided for us – the Bible.

Kevin Zemanek, Leadership Board Chairman