The elders jointly have the government and spiritual oversight of the Church, including teaching. The office of deacon is not one of rule, but rather of service both to the physical and spiritual needs of the people. -BCO 7.2
“It belongs to those in the office of elder, both severally and jointly, to watch diligently over the flock committed to his charge, that no corruption of doctrine or of morals
enter therein. They must exercise government and discipline, and take oversight not only of the spiritual interests of the particular church, but also the Church generally
when called thereunto. They should visit the people at their homes, especially the sick. They should instruct the ignorant, comfort the mourner, nourish and guard the
children of the Church. They should set a worthy example to the flock entrusted to their care by their zeal to evangelize the unconverted and make disciples. All those duties which
private Christians are bound to discharge by the law of love are especially incumbent upon them by divine vocation, and are to be discharged as official duties.
They should pray with and for the people, being careful and diligent in seeking the fruit of the preached Word among the flock.” -BCO 8-3
enter therein. They must exercise government and discipline, and take oversight not only of the spiritual interests of the particular church, but also the Church generally
when called thereunto. They should visit the people at their homes, especially the sick. They should instruct the ignorant, comfort the mourner, nourish and guard the
children of the Church. They should set a worthy example to the flock entrusted to their care by their zeal to evangelize the unconverted and make disciples. All those duties which
private Christians are bound to discharge by the law of love are especially incumbent upon them by divine vocation, and are to be discharged as official duties.
They should pray with and for the people, being careful and diligent in seeking the fruit of the preached Word among the flock.” -BCO 8-3
The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. Therefore an overseer must be 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. He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God’s church? He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil. -1 Timothy 3:1-7
This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you—if anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife, and his children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination. For an overseer, as God’s steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.
-Titus 1:5-9
-Titus 1:5-9
Elder Responsibilities
• Attend all Session meetings & at least one Presbytery meeting per year
• Read and be familiar with the BCO
• Hire Sr. Pastor and evaluate him annually and give final approval for staff hires
• Approve vision statement and values
• Strategic planning
• Set policy
• Approve and monitor the annual budget
• Establish responsibilities of Board of Deacons
• Pray with and for the people
• Read and be familiar with the BCO
• Hire Sr. Pastor and evaluate him annually and give final approval for staff hires
• Approve vision statement and values
• Strategic planning
• Set policy
• Approve and monitor the annual budget
• Establish responsibilities of Board of Deacons
• Pray with and for the people
• Watch diligently over the flock to prevent corruption of doctrine or morals
• Take oversight of spiritual interests and government of the church, including Christian conduct of members, baptism, receiving members, removing members for just cause, granting letters of dismissal to other churches, examining, ordaining, and installing Ruling Elders and Deacons
• Pastoral responsibility of the flock, especially those in special need
• Serve as the Board of Trustees.
• Adjudicate discipline cases
• Take oversight of spiritual interests and government of the church, including Christian conduct of members, baptism, receiving members, removing members for just cause, granting letters of dismissal to other churches, examining, ordaining, and installing Ruling Elders and Deacons
• Pastoral responsibility of the flock, especially those in special need
• Serve as the Board of Trustees.
• Adjudicate discipline cases
Women's Council Responsibilities
• Attend all meetings of the Women’s Council and all Session meetings by invitation or request
• Attend at least one Presbytery meeting per year
• Read and be familiar with the BCO
• Strategic planning
• Attend at least one Presbytery meeting per year
• Read and be familiar with the BCO
• Strategic planning
• Pastoral responsibility of the flock, especially those in special need
• Pray with and for the people
• Serve as advisory board for the Session, with particular focus on how best to care for the women in our church
• Adjudicate discipline cases
• Pray with and for the people
• Serve as advisory board for the Session, with particular focus on how best to care for the women in our church
• Adjudicate discipline cases
Elders
Women's Council
deacons
The office of deacon is set forth in the Scriptures as ordinary and perpetual in the Church. The office is one of sympathy and service, after the example
of the Lord Jesus; it expresses also the communion of saints, especially in their helping one another in time of need… It is the duty of the deacons to
minister to those who are in need, to the sick, to the friendless, and to any who may be in distress. -BCO, 9-1; 9-2
of the Lord Jesus; it expresses also the communion of saints, especially in their helping one another in time of need… It is the duty of the deacons to
minister to those who are in need, to the sick, to the friendless, and to any who may be in distress. -BCO, 9-1; 9-2
“Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. 2 And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. 3 Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. 4 But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” 5 And what they said pleased the whole gathering, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch. 6 These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them.”
-Acts 6:1-6
-Acts 6:1-6
“Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain. 9 They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. 10 And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless. 11 Women likewise must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things. 12 Let deacons each be the husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households well. 13 For those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.”
-1 Timothy 3:8-13
-1 Timothy 3:8-13
Deacon Responsibilities
1. Serve on and oversee the leadership teams related to diaconal ministry
2. Provide Vision for Diaconal Ministry to “minister to those who are in need, to the sick, to the friendless, and to any who may be in distress.”
3. Serve on the DAB (advisory board to Session) to disburse Diaconal Funds
2. Provide Vision for Diaconal Ministry to “minister to those who are in need, to the sick, to the friendless, and to any who may be in distress.”
3. Serve on the DAB (advisory board to Session) to disburse Diaconal Funds