In 2007, Summit Woods Baptist Church adopted a new Constitution and By-Laws which implemented an elder-led form of church polity. In 2009, the first elders were chosen by the congregation and began serving. Building on this necessary and biblical approach to church polity is a constant prayerful mindset and quest for the existing elders. One of the most important priorities of virtually every elders’ meeting is our seeking God’s direction in recommending men who would serve as new elders.

After much time in prayer and conversation, the elders of Summit Woods joyfully recommend Todd Arnold to be affirmed by the congregation as a new elder.

Todd and his family have been members of Summit Woods since February, 2007. Todd, his wife Jodi, and their son, Matt have been actively serving our congregation in a variety of ways. In addition to their regular evangelistic ministries across Kansas City, Todd and Jodi have been hosting Bible studies in their home for a number of years. They are host and leaders of a Growth Group and for the past year, Todd has been regularly teaching and serving in our student ministries. Todd has also joined the preaching rotation on Sunday evenings, preaching to our church this past Spring. He has demonstrated a solid character that exemplifies the qualities called for of an elder in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9. His commitment to the local church is evident. Jodi regularly meets with a group of ladies for mentoring and discipleship, has taught a women’s class in the past, and is also currently serving as a small group leader for a women’s group that meets each Wednesday evening. Their son Matt loves Christ and makes that evident in the ways he seeks to evangelize others and personally grow in his intake of God’s word, even with his physical challenges.

We have spent an extensive amount of time with Todd and his family in both formal settings for discussion of his potentially serving as an elder and informal times that have allowed us the opportunity to get to know them more personally. We are confident in this recommendation. Todd exemplifies the qualities of a solid shepherd and will serve our congregation with both Christ-like humility and biblical strength.

Available for you to download from this post is material that introduces Todd more formally and provides his answers to many personal, family, doctrinal, and ministry questions.

To give you opportunity to get to know Todd better and see him serve publicly, he will lead the mid-service prayer time and Scripture reading in the Sunday morning gatherings. Todd will be available for questions and interaction between Equipping Classes and the Worship Gathering (10:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.) for the next four weeks at the Welcome Table in the foyer. On Sunday, August 24, Todd will give his testimony, preach and conduct a Q&A session at 6:00 p.m.

We will call a special members' meeting on Sunday, September 7, following the Morning Gathering, for the express purpose of having the congregation formally affirm him.

As always, the elders are available to you at your convenience to discuss with you any questions you may have. Please let us know how we may serve you.

We are thrilled to present Todd to you as a potential elder and are confident he will serve Summit Woods with personal humility, Christ-like character, and biblical strength.

Also know that we eagerly invite your recommendations of men in whom you see the qualities of 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1 and who would serve Summit Woods well as an elder. Thank you to those of you who came to us recommending Todd.

We thank God for the privilege of serving as elders at Summit Woods and are excited with the potential of Todd joining the shepherding team. We are available to you to answer your questions and personally talk with you further about Todd and why we believe he is uniquely qualified and ready to serve Summit Woods as a new elder.

Yours for Christ’s Church,

Bret Capranica, Brandon Ferguson, Mark Krystyniak and Rob Stouffer