The Shepherding Team
The Shepherding Team at CBC is composed of men who meet the requirements in Scripture of men who in New Testament times were called "elders." God’s Word indicates that gifted spiritual leaders are foundational to a healthy local church that is going to be a change agent in their world.  Words like elder, pastor, shepherd and overseer refer to the assignment of this group of men. Notice how these words relate to each other. God leads His church through men with a shepherding gift (pastors) who have mature spiritual wisdom and character (elders) and who therefore can provide mature leadership, vision and direction to a local church (overseers). While this calling to be a member of the Shepherding Team is confirmed by other spiritual leaders, ultimately and more significantly these men have been given this assignment by the Holy Spirit, Himself, (Acts 20:28)! And God, Himself, has indicated what some of their responsibilities might include:

1.    Give ministry direction, 1 Timothy 5:17

2.    Provide ministry protection, Acts 20:28-30

3.    Exercise ministry authority, Acts 16:4

4.    Select ministry workers, Acts 15:22

5.    Discuss ministry questions, Acts 15:6

6.    Receive ministry reports, Acts 15:4, 21:18-19

7.    Oversee ministry resources, Acts 11:30

Character Qualities

When the Apostle Paul writes to Timothy about appointing a "Shepherding Team,” he assumes that this team of leaders will have mature, humble hearts that delight to serve others as if they were serving Christ, (Ephesians 6:5).  What Paul specifically requires of Timothy is that he examines each perspective shepherd carefully, with a special emphasis on their growth in Christ-like character, (1 Timothy 3:1-7). Using this as a Biblical model, at CBC we have representatives of the Shepherding Team interview all perspective members. The emphasis in the interviews is on a maturing character, using the qualities of maturity that Paul lists. Consider the following evaluation of their maturing character.

1. Desire:  I stretch myself towards the right things, and for the right reasons.

2. Above Reproach: My reputation causes others to come to my defense.

3. Husband of but one wife: I have a holy and healthy marriage that is free of pornography and unhealthy attitudes towards women.

4. Temperate: I am free from compulsive thoughts and gut-quick responses.

5. Self-controlled:  I am sound, balanced and moderate in my opinions.

6. Respectable: I am appropriate concerning cultural and social expectations.

7. Hospitable: I enjoy assisting traveling missionaries and evangelists.

8. Able to Teach: I am willing to be taught and I am able to teach.

9. Not given to Drunkenness: My physical, mental or emotional appetites do not drive me.

10. Not Violent: I do not have predictable demonstrations of anger.

11. Gentle: I do not insist on the letter of the law, but I am gracious.

12. Not Quarrelsome: I do not always take “the other point of view.”

13. Not a Lover of Money: I can release personal control of resources.

14. Manage his Own Family Well: I lead my family with care and diligence.

15. Not a recent Convert: I have the practical, spiritual, and ministry experience needed to lead others in ministry.

16. Good Reputation: There is evidence to verify my spiritual claims.

Basic Agreements

Besides these maturity qualities, each member of the Shepherding Team is asked to affirm their agreement with our relationship to the Berean Fellowship, our church constitution and our approach to ministry. Each team member is asked to continue to grow in their walk with Christ and be involved in what Christ is doing through CBC to reach our neighborhoods, community and the world. We also ask each man to read two books: One size Doesn’t Fit All, by Gary McIntosh and Answering Key Questions About Elders, by John MacArthur, Jr.

Leadership Team

The Shepherding Team is a part of the CBC Leadership Team. This is an informal team that consists of the members of the Shepherding and Serving Teams, as well as other key ministry leaders in the church. It meets “as needed” to assist the Shepherding Team with a broader perspective on issues and to assist in communicating to the whole church family. The following are principles that all Leadership Team members have agreed upon.

1. We are committed to personally and corporately exalting Jesus Christ.
2. We are committed to penetrating into the community of Cheyenne.
3. We are committed to providing the facilities and staff necessary to lead those who attend Berean into a mature, whole life Christian lifestyle.
4. We are committed to individual mentoring and small group ministry.
5. We are committed to exercising faith in accomplishing our goals.
6. We are committed to being responsive to God’s unique leading for CBC.
7. We are willing to have the other team members hold us accountable for these commitments.

Mutual Ministry

The Bible uses such word pictures as body, family and flock to describe our relationship to other Christians. These words give the distinct impression that God is more interested in our interdependence with each other than our independent and individualistic preferences. We join together as a team for at least three important Biblical reasons: mutual partnership, mutual worship and mutual submission. We can do more together. A man is not “taking on a job” but is joining a team to accomplish God’s work on earth!

Team Spirit

Acts 6:1-7 gives team member qualities that will make service on the Shepherding Team a time of encouragement as well as provide for lasting spiritual, practical and relational impact.

1. Has a sense of realism (6:1)
2. Is not afraid to implement change (6:2-4)
3. Appreciates true ministry priorities (6:2-4)
4. Has a servant's heart … wait on tables (6:2)
5. Has a team spirit. ...choose seven men (6:3)
6. Maintains his spiritual reputation (6:3)
7. Makes Spirit controlled decisions (6:3)
8. Exercises spiritual and practical wisdom (6:3)
9. Willingly accepts and delegates responsibility (6:3)
10. Is known for his faith and reliance upon God (6:5)

A Safe Place

Cheyenne Berean Church is intentional about being a safe, authentic, Biblical fellowship that courageously seeks to meet the contemporary spiritual needs of families and individuals. We are passionate that CBC be a place where people can safely connect and begin to joyfully drink from the wells of salvation (Isaiah 12:3) and eventually where they can lead others to drink of those same refreshing waters (2 Timothy 2:2)!

1. Worshiping - Seeking God’s Glory
2. Evangelizing- Declaring God’s Name
3. Loving- Showing God’s Compassion
4. Learning- Coaching God’s Truth
5. Serving- Supporting God’s Family

Our Passion

A member of the Shepherding Team should have a passion that Christ be glorified in the local expression of the universal church called, Cheyenne Berean Church! “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen” (Ephesians 3:20-21).

This desire to bring maximum glory to Christ can be succinctly expressed with only three words: believe, grow and reproduce. And these three words can be expanded to indicate the direction and heart of Cheyenne Berean Church with just an additional 20 words!

1. Believe: Jesus died for our sins and rose from the dead (10)

2. Grow: Worshiping, Evangelizing, Loving, Learning, Serving (5)

3. Reproduce: Mentor someone to coach someone (5)