There are many voices out there competing for our attention. Some are babbling, some are asking questions, and some are offering answers. Social media and mass communication lends itself to church leaders not knowing who is asking what questions and lay members not knowing who to trust for answers.

One of my favorite things that we do as a church is our annual Elders’ Q&A. The people we worship with week-in and week-out ask questions to the same elders who have taught them and prayed with them year after year. We see many different gifts exercised at once. We get to know one another better. I love it. And I’d love to see you November 13 at 4:30 p.m.

What’s the Purpose of This Q&A?

This event is not in response to a crisis. This event is not for the airing of opinions. God’s charge to elders is to be prepared to apply and proclaim the Holy Word in season and out of season (2 Timothy 4:2). It reminds them of their charge to cherish Christ so much that they can answer with Christ at any time (1 Peter 3:15). It also gives individual elders an opportunity to minister to everyone all at once (1 Peter 5:2).

In bullet points here is why we host this evening each year:

• To promote a culture of openness and vulnerability.
• To model healthy question asking and answering.
• To enhance our elders’ unity and insight into the ministry.
• To clarify any ambiguities or gaps in our leadership for our members.
• To instruct in biblical eldership and increase the visibility for our team.
• To update the congregation on any timely projects or studies we’ve been working on.

We’ll plan for an hour and fifteen minutes. If your hunger is for more than answers, don’t worry. We will have supper together afterwards.

Get Us Your Questions by October 9

If you have a question—think doctrine, church life, plans for our shared mission, etc.—you can get it to us in a variety of ways:  

• Text. Text your question to 864.735.7465.
• Email. Email your question to [email protected]
• Write. Grab a Connection Card on Sunday, scratch out your question, and drop that in an offering box.
• Form. Submit a question here.
• Tell. Communicate your question for the Q&A to an elder in person or through email. They’ll ask you to write it down so that we don’t lose your intent in translation, but you’re welcome to start with a conversation.

We’ll also have some time available in the evening to answer questions from you in a more impromptu style.

As a help in this process, aim to submit your questions by Sunday, October 9. This lead time helps us notice recurring themes, know how to devote time to particular questions, discuss any topics as a team if needed, and order our time in a way that best serves the congregation. We’ll certainly consider any questions that come in after that date.

As a reminder, we won’t be able to answer every question that gets asked. However, if you put your name on a question and we did not answer it at the Q&A, we will reach out to answer that question for you in person or by email. In some cases, we may devote a blog-post to the topic.

Before the Q&A, get acquainted with Heritage’s elders at the About Page. Also, here’s the recap from 2019, 2020, and 2021 for those that couldn’t join us in previous years.