Ordination of Eli Williamson - Eph 4.1-3 and Haggai 2.1-5

Walking worthy of our calling (Ephesians 4:1–3)

In Ephesians 1–3, Paul unfolds God’s eternal purpose: through Jesus, God is not merely saving individuals but forming a new society—a fractured humanity being restored, an alienated people being reconciled. In chapter 4, Paul turns from exposition to exhortation. As a prisoner for the Lord, he urges the Ephesians to “walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called” (v.1). The preacher explained that Paul is moving from what God has done for us in Jesus to what we must do in response—from redemption to responsibility, from mind-stretching theology to its down-to-earth implications for everyday life.

The focus of this sermon on Eli’s ordination day was on unity in the church, and the preacher was direct about why: as the congregation rejoices in God strengthening His work through the addition of a new elder, the devil hates what is happening. Satan will be intent on damaging the building up of God’s people, and so at this time of blessing and building up, the church must be alert and must guard against schemes that cause division.

Paul’s answer to protecting unity begins not with policies or strategies, but with character. He highlights three crucial marks:

Humility. In the ancient world humility was despised, associated with the crouching submissiveness of a slave. Jesus redefined it entirely. The Greek word means “lowliness of mind”—a willingness to recognise the worth and value of others, which is precisely what Jesus was like. Pride fosters division; humility makes space for unity to breathe. The preacher applied this directly to the eldership: as in the congregation, so in the elder team—Christ-like humility in each elder is crucial for Christ-like harmony. The congregation was urged to humbly support their Spirit-appointed elders and serve alongside them.

Gentleness. Gentleness is not spinelessness; it is strength under control, power harnessed for someone else’s good. The image used was that of a cart horse: just as strong after being broken in, but now its great strength is under control and put to good use. Paul himself modelled this—bold and unflinching, yet also tender: “We were gentle among you, like a mother caring for her little children” (1 Thessalonians 2). The preacher challenged the men especially: to be a strong man in God’s eyes involves fearing the Lord, being strong in His power, and having a heart of love and tenderness for others—not the self-assertive toughness the world promotes.

Patience. The church is not a museum of perfect people but a family of growing disciples—including elders and pastors. Members should not expect their elders to be perfect or to always get everything right; every Christian, including ruling and teaching elders, is still being sanctified. Patience keeps love from collapsing when people disappoint us or hurt us. Sometimes that means long-suffering when mistreated. More often, it means refusing to magnify small offences, remembering that “love covers over a multitude of sins” (1 Peter 4:8).

The ordination and vows

Following the sermon, Eli Williamson was called forward to take the prescribed vows for the office of ruling elder. These searching vows included affirmation of the Scriptures as the only infallible rule of faith and practice, adherence to the Westminster Confession of Faith, acceptance of the office of ruling elder with a promise to faithfully discharge its duties, and a commitment to rule his own household well and to live a holy and exemplary life. The congregation in turn covenanted to acknowledge Eli as an elder and to yield to him the honour, encouragement, and obedience in the Lord to which his office entitles him. Eli then signed the formal declaration of faith before the congregation.

In the ordination prayer, thanks was given for the godly elders who have served the congregation over the years—Trevor McColley, Raymond Blair, Peter Jemphrey, Frank McMurray, and Billy Hamilton—and specific thanksgiving was offered for Eli’s living faith in Jesus Christ, his pastoral concern and compassion, his godly upbringing, and the loving support of his wife Ellie and the vision of ministry they share together.

The charge: Be strong and work (Haggai 2:1–5)

After the ordination, a short charge was delivered from Haggai 2:1–5. In Haggai’s day, a small remnant of Jews had returned from exile in Babylon to rebuild the ruined temple. The task was far harder than they had imagined, discouragement set in, and the work stopped. God sent Haggai to stir the people back into action. The preacher drew a direct parallel to the work of the eldership and to Eli’s calling: the work of shepherding God’s people is demanding and exhausting—teaching, overseeing, visiting, rebuking, encouraging, praying—and all this in the face of spiritual opposition. Ireland, and especially the west of Ireland, was described as a spiritually dark place, and the leaders of God’s church are special targets of satanic attack.

Three times Haggai repeats the command: “Be strong”—to Zerubbabel the governor, to Joshua the high priest, and to all the people. This charge was applied directly to Eli, to the eldership, and to every member of Covenant Christian Fellowship: building the church is a team effort, not a spectator sport. The congregation was urged not to leave the meetings, the prayer, the visiting, the hospitality, and the outreach to the elders alone.

But the great comfort of the passage is the source of that strength. God does not simply say “be strong” and leave His people to their own resources. He adds: “for I am with you, declares the Lord Almighty… My Spirit remains among you. Do not fear” (vv.4–5). This was the same promise God made during the Exodus a thousand years earlier, and it is the same promise the risen Jesus made before His ascension: “Surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:20). The preacher reminded the congregation that for Christians today the promise is even more wonderful: the Holy Spirit is not merely among us but within each believer. If God is with us, who can be against us?

The service closed with prayer that God would do great things among and through the congregation, now strengthened by the gift of another elder.