Our Congregation's Leaders

The Spiritual leaders in our congregation are often called Elders or sometimes Shepherds.  Less often you may hear them referred to as Overseers.  All three terms are based on the example of the New Testament church.  In both Acts 20 and 1 Peter 5 we read all three terms applied to the same group of leaders and their work in their churches.

The term for Shepherd refers to the visionary work and care of Elders.  As Shepherds they have a responsibility to lead the church through good solid teaching, either by teaching themselves or ensuring others are teaching well.  They also look after and care for members of the church as counselors and caring men.

The term Overseer refers to the work of Elders to ensure the church is doing all the things it should.  Elders are not expected to do all the work or look over the shoulder of members.  Rather they have the ultimate responsibility to make sure each ministry is functioning as it should.

Finally, the term Elder refers to the decision-making work of the Elders.  In each congregation of the New Testament where we read about Elders, there was always more than one Elder.  They shared the work of the "Eldership."  Elders then work together and make decisions as a group. 

Elders are selected from among the congregation.  When the church identifies the need to add Elders or replace Elders who may have retired from serving, passed away, or moved away, then the church as a whole will consider men who meet the qualifications of Elders which can be found in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9.

For each elder's bio and contact information, just click on a photo.

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Ken Smith

Ken Smith

Twickenham Shepherd

Pictured: Ken & Suzanne

Kenneth (Ken) Smith is married to Suzanne and we have two children, Jason and Rachel, who live in the Nashville area. We are blessed with five grandchildren, Sawyer, Nola, Sutton, Jack and Henry.

He was born and raised in Shelbyville Tennessee, about 1-hour North of Huntsville. I am the son of Robert (Bobby) and Sara Smith—if you think you see the Spirit of God in me, say a prayer of thanks for these two saints. My grandparents were farmers and I spent some of his growing up years in a Southern agrarian culture. I am grateful for my upbringing.

He is a PhD mechanical engineer with degrees from University of Tennessee and University of Central Florida. Dr. Smith is CEO at Analytical Mechanics Associates, an engineering services firm that provides support to NASA, DOD and commercial clients. Most of my working life is spent in support of the American space program.

"As I reflect on today’s challenges for individuals, families and our community, I am confident Twickenham has a lot to offer as a conduit of Christ’s love. I am encouraged and challenged by the Vision stories and eager to work with everyone to be a church where families like Joe’s and Sophia’s feel connected and loved. The Jobs for Life and Living Well ministries are blessings and opportunities for service in the name of Jesus. Service as a shepherd is a ministry that channels God’s love through us to others, cares for the body of Christ and meets a broad set of community needs. 

We are at Twickenham because that is where God wants us to be at this point in our journey. I would offer Twickenham to others as a community that provides a place for imperfect people that are seeking God’s grace and peace."

 

Ministry you are passionate about at Twickenham:
The Jobs for Life ministry is a blessing and an opportunity for service in the name of Jesus. It has provided an opportunity to grow closer to many of you as we work in concert to rescue students from themselves and life circumstances. It is a special moment to listen to people tell their stories and stand beside them as they see a brighter future in a framework of Christian love. From prior experience, service as a shepherd is a ministry that gives us a chance for God’s love to flow through us to reach others, care for the body of Christ and meet a broad set of community needs. I think we are at Twickenham because that is where God wants us to be at this point in our journey. I would offer Twickenham to others as a community that provides a place for imperfect people that are seeking God’s grace and peace.
Favorite Bible Verse/character and why:
Favorite verse: I am not sure that I have a favorite Bible verse. I find comfort in reading the Psalms. I am challenged and energized by the writers of the New Testament. I enjoy reading or listening to modern-day authors who help us understand discipleship in the 21st century. I have a favorite phrase or mantra that I will sometimes repeat to myself as guidance: “Be calm, sane and prayerful”. 
Favorite Team:
Ken is a life-long Volunteer and bleeds orange! 
Hobbies/Extracurricular Activities:
Ken plays USTA tennis throughout the year. He also likes to ski, travel and read. Known as ‘Papa’ to his grandchildren ... he enjoys playing whatever they want to play.

God’s Word to the Elders

Here is a trustworthy saying: Whoever aspires to be an overseer desires a noble task. Now the overseer is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him, and he must do so in a manner worthy of full respect. (If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?) He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil. He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap. I Timothy 3:1-7
An elder must be blameless, faithful to his wife, a man whose children believe and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient. Since an overseer manages God’s household, he must be blameless—not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain. Rather, he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined. He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it. Titus 1:6-9
Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:25–28
To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder and a witness of Christ’s sufferings who also will share in the glory to be revealed: Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away. 1 Peter 5:1-4
In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:5–7
Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters. Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it ... Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever ... Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name. And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased. Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you. Hebrews 13:1-2; 7-8; 15-17
Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. James 5:13–16
Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood. Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified. Acts 20:28, 32

Why Our Members Chose Twickenham

As someone who has been a member of Twickenham since the beginning, there is no place that I would rather be. I appreciate that we have an eldership that bases decisions on biblical principles rather than tradition. There is a broad spectrum of people who come from different backgrounds than those of us who were raised in the church of Christ and I feel that it has been beneficial. I like that Twickenham has been a part of the community instead of isolating ourselves from other denominations.

The many ministry opportunities that members can find to participate in. The uplifting worship services; the praise team is wonderful! The children's programs. I love that we have young families as well as older members worshipping together!

. . . this church has been a HUGE blessing to our family. When we came to Twickenham, I felt like we were spiritually dying on the vine. Since coming to Twickenham, God has had us on an amazing journey that is sometimes hard and sometimes beautiful - but either way I know we are both diving deeper into Him! Yay!