Mesa Valley Church of Christ Grand Junction, Colorado
Canyon walls at Colorado National Monument near Grand Junction

Elders

A plurality of qualified men oversee this congregation—not a hired head.

Paul appointed elders in every church (Acts 14:23). Peter charged the elders: “shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly… not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock” (1 Peter 5:1–3, ESV). Those men are also called bishops and pastors—the same work, not a clergy class.

This congregation is overseen by Jason Cheney, Oxley Barrientez, and Ron O’Hare. The boxes below are labeled placeholders until each man’s own photograph is ready. We will not use stock faces.

Jason Cheney

Elder · preaches when called upon

Jason has served as a minister with churches of Christ since 1998. He serves here as an elder and preaches when the brethren call on him.

He and Laura have been married thirty years. They raised four children born to them, adopted a fifth, and have opened their home to foster children.

Jason is also a licensed professional counselor (MEd, LPC, NCC), EMDR and PCIT certified. That work is distinct from the eldership. See the Care hub for how this congregation thinks about counseling. For the church: jasonjcheney@gmail.com, (205) 617-5888, or (970) 462-9944.

Oxley Barrientez

Elder

Oxley serves this congregation as an elder. His photograph will replace the placeholder when it is ready.

Ron O’Hare

Elder

Ron serves this congregation as an elder. His photograph will replace the placeholder when it is ready.

The New Testament pattern

What Scripture requires

Scripture, not a hiring committee, sets the standard for who may shepherd a local church. “If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task” (1 Timothy 3:1, ESV). Elders oversee this flock—the same men the New Testament also calls bishops and pastors. We do not have a one-man “Pastor” as a title over the church, and we do not take orders from a synod, society, or headquarters. Each congregation is local, with its own qualified men when they can be found (Titus 1:5; Acts 14:23).

1 Timothy 3:1–7

An overseer must be… (ESV)

  • Above reproach
  • The husband of one wife
  • Sober-minded
  • Self-controlled
  • Respectable
  • Hospitable
  • Able to teach
  • Not a drunkard
  • Not violent but gentle
  • Not quarrelsome
  • Not a lover of money
  • Manages his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive
  • Not a recent convert
  • Well thought of by outsiders

Titus 1:6–9

An overseer, as God’s steward, must be… (ESV)

  • Above reproach
  • The husband of one wife
  • His children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination
  • Not arrogant
  • Not quick-tempered
  • Not a drunkard
  • Not violent
  • Not greedy for gain
  • Hospitable
  • A lover of good
  • Self-controlled
  • Upright
  • Holy
  • Disciplined
  • Holds firm to the trustworthy word as taught, able to instruct in sound doctrine and to rebuke those who contradict it