Why Eldership?

We believe that the divine arrangement of God, as seen throughout the New Testament, was for a plurality of elders to be appointed in each church (Acts 14:23; 20:17; Philippians 1:1; I Timothy 5:17; Titus 1:5). Several terms are employed in the New Testament to represent the form and function of this office. Among these are elders, pastors, and bishops or overseers.

The duty of elders is described by their maturity of spiritual experience; Elders were appointed as they had demonstrated evidence of fulfilling divine qualifications (I Timothy 3: 1-7 Titus 1:6-9; I Peter 5:2).

Paul, in I Timothy 3:1-7, lists fifteen of these qualifications:

1. He must be blameless. This means that the bishop has nothing in his conduct that would afford anyone the opportunity to raise a valid accusation or charge.
2. He must be husband of one wife.
3. He must be temperate or well-balanced.
4. He must be sober-minded or self-controlled.
5. He must be of good behavior or respectable.
6. He must be hospitable.
7. He must be able to teach.
8. He must not be given to much wine.
9. He must not be violent.
10. He must be gentle.
11. He must not be quarrelsome.
12. He must not be a lover of money.
13. He must manage his own family well.
14. He must not be a recent convert (novice).
15. He must have a good reputation (testimony) with outsiders.

In the New Testament Christian church, the elders, and more specifically, pastor, bishop and overseer, are those elected and qualified by the work of the Holy Spirit to have spiritual care and exercise oversight over a local assembly of believers. Elders, who function as pastors, are described in the New Testament as shepherds who guide as well as feed a flock of believers.

Our Pastoral Team

We praise God for the men that God has enabled and equipped to shepherd our church. Our elders/pastors are James G. Murray, Jr. and Thomas A. Troutt, Sr. Brief biographies of our pastors are presented below:

Pastor James is one of our lead pastors, and he provides oversight over our evangelism, discipleship, and fellowship ministries. He is currently a doctoral candidate and holds a Bachelor and Master degree from the University of Maryland and Philadelphia Biblical University respectively. His seminary training was accomplished at Biblical Theological Seminary and Philadelphia Biblical University. His research interests include ancient languages, systematic theology, and virtual learning environments.

As a seasoned educator, instructional technologist, and author, Pastor James has written numerous articles and is the author of our Cultivation Discipleship Series. Our Cultivation Discipleship Series consists of 40 lessons subdivided into four courses. We hope to offer our Cultivation course online by the end of 2008.

Pastor James has a wife, Marilyn, one daughter, Imani, and a son, James, III.

His life verse is Psalm 1: 1-3:

Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper.

Pastor Thomas Anthony Troutt Sr. is also one of the lead pastors at Philadelphia Bible Fellowship where he provides oversight for Worship, Administration, Missions, and Youth ministries. He did his formal Biblical Studies at Manna Bible Institute (Philadelphia PA), and received additional training from Moody Bible Institute (Chicago Ill).

A journeyman, Pastor Tom has over 20 years of ministry experience. He most recently served as Pastor of Music and Worship at The Calvary Baptist Church, (Philadelphia PA). Before then he performed a similar role at El-Shaddai Word Center (Philadelphia PA). He has ministered across the United States and most recently traveled to Guyana, South America where he taught and preached among the Amerindian peoples in the city of Lethem.

Pastor Tom resides in South Jersey with his wife Wanda, son Thomas Jr. a second year student at Liberty University (Lynchburg VA.), and daughter Jennae.  

His life verse is Mark 10: 27:

But Jesus looked at them and said, “With men it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible.”