Officer Nominations

We are now taking online nominations for the offices of elder and deacon from Sunday, March 16 through Sunday, March 30.

Please read over the following guidelines and qualifications as you prayerfully submit your nominations.

Guidelines for Nominating an Officer

Officer nominees should already be actively participating in our church’s mission to make disciples by “bringing gospel restoration” to people. More specifically, they should be worshipping regularly, connecting in a small group, and serving the church and surrounding community. Here are some additional guidelines:

Biblical Qualifications for Church Officers

We encourage you to read the following Bible passages as you consider who to nominate: 1 Timothy 3:1-13, Titus 1:5-16, 1 Peter 5:1-5, Acts 20:17-35, 2 Timothy 2:1-3; Acts 6:1-6.

These Scriptures provide some of the essential qualifications for elders and deacons. Here is a summary of those teachings:

Elder Qualifications

• “Above reproach…respectable” (1 Tim 3:2) | “Blameless,” “upright, holy” (Tit 1:6-8)
• “Must have a good reputation with outsiders” (1 Tim 3:7)
• “Holds firmly” to the truth (Tit 1:9)
• “Able to teach” (1 Tim 3:2) | “Encourage others by sound doctrine” (Tit 1:9) | Guards the flock against false teaching (Ac 20:29-31; Ti 1:9—“refute those who oppose”)
• “Faithful to his wife” (1 Tim 3:2; Tit 1:6)
• “Must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him” (1 Tim 3:4)
• “A man whose children believe and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient” (Tit 1:6)
• “Not quarrelsome” (1 Tim 3:3) | “Not overbearing, not quick-tempered” (Tit 1:7) | “Not violent, but gentle” (1 Tim 3:3; Tit 1:7)
• “Temperate” (1 Tim 3:2) | “Self-controlled…and disciplined” (Tit 1:8)
• Leads with a humble—not domineering—spirit (1 Pet 5:3— “not lording it over those entrusted to you”)
• “Not given to drunkenness” (1 Tim 3:3; Tit 1:7)
• “Not a lover of money” (1 Tim 3:3) | “Not pursuing dishonest gain” (Tit 1:7)
• “Hospitable” (1 Tim 3:2; Tit 1:8)
• “One who loves what is good” (Tit 1:8)
• Must be a mature believer (1 Tim 3:6—“must not be a recent convert”)
• Is held accountable by fellow leaders (“Keep watch over yourselves”—Ac 20:28a, note the plural)
• Shepherds God’s flock (Ac 20:28; 1 Pet 5:2) with a willing spirit (1 Pet 5:2—“not because you must, but because you are willing”; 1 Tim 3:1— “whoever aspires to be an overseer desires a noble task…”)
• Works hard to minister to the weak because “it’s more blessed to give than receive” (Ac 20:35) | Is willing to suffer greatly for sake of the flock (Ac 20:31b; 1 Pet 5:1)

Deacon Qualifications

• “Known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom” (Ac 6:3)
• Willing to serve the practical needs in the church body and surrounding community (Ac 6:1-4)
• “Worthy of respect” (1 Tim 3:8)
• Trustworthy (“sincere”—1 Tim 3:8; “clear conscience”—1 Tim 3:9)
• Self controlled, leading his own body, mind and appetites (“not indulging in much wine”—1 Tim 3:8)
• Not greedy; characterized by generosity and selfless motives (“not pursuing dishonest gain”—1 Tim 3:8)
• Sound in gospel truth; truly grasp the gospel and living it out consistently (“keep hold of the deep truths of the faith”—1 Tim 3:9)
• “Faithful to his wife and…manage[s] his children and his household well” (1 Tim 3:12)

Timeline

• Nominations are accepted from March 16 through March 30 (three Sundays).
• The list of nominees are then reviewed / approved by the Session.
• Nominees are then informed and decide if they want to move forward with officer training.
• Officer training happens throughout the late Spring, Summer, and early Fall.
• After training is done (typically in November), nominees decide whether to accept their nomination and proceed to examinations.
• The Session examines the elder and deacon candidates in early December.
• Voting takes place at the congregational meeting in late December.
• New officers are installed to their office in a public worship service in January.