Elders

In General: An elder is a born-again believer who walks in obedience with Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and demonstrates maturity in life decisions, in service and in leadership within the broader faith community. An elder strives to live their life under the authority of Christ and Scripture. An elder is a person who demonstrates servant leadership, according to the example of Christ and one who does not show favoritism but sees every living person as an image-bearer of God, whether or not that person acknowledges God. An elder is compassionate, forgiving, patient, steadfast, trustworthy, humble, and faithful and a person who is recognized as a leader within the faith community. An elder is not bound by hidden unhealthy or destructive addictions and sin. An elder is an imperfect human being, a sinner in need of forgiveness, but one who recognizes their sin and weaknesses and quickly seeks forgiveness and restoration from the Lord, daily. An elder is a person who acts justly, loves mercy and walks humbly with the Lord.

Micah 6:8, I Peter 5:1-11, I Timothy 3:1-7, Titus 1:5-9, Matthew 20:25-28.

Serving at FPC: An elder at FPC is one who has demonstrated the general characteristics listed above and who, with the help of other mature Christians, has discerned a calling from Christ to serve in leadership and shepherding within the faith community of FPC. An elder is a regular attender of Sunday worship, a regular financial supporter of the ministry of FPC, a student of the Bible, a person of prayer, a leader in FPC ministry and service opportunities, and someone who seeks fellowship and spiritual growth opportunities. FPC belongs to the ECO (Evangelical Covenant Order) denomination of the Presbyterian church. An elder must agree with the essential tenants of ECO which are found at www.theology-eco.org

An elder of FPC is able to understand and affirm these tenants in order to serve effectively and collegially as and elder and leader in the congregation. Having affirmed these essential tenants, elders are nominated for the position and responsibility of this ordained office by members and pastors of FPC. It is then essential for the nominated person to discern God’s calling and will for this service. It may be that a person nominated does not sense a calling to this service. This is a key decision in the life of any person nominated to be ordained as an elder at FPC in our ECO denomination, and it must be prayerfully and wisely discerned. This is best done by understanding the call to ministry, the requirements and expectations, and by discussing the calling with other spiritually mature FPC members and pastors. It should not be a decision entered into quickly or lightly, but rather by sincere prayer, self-searching and discussion with others.

Upon ordination, our pastors, elders and deacons make these commitments to the congregation. 

When pastors, elders and deacon begin their service in the church, they are ordained during a service of worship. Commitments are made by the new leader to the people and by the people to the new leader as responses to the following questions:

Questions for Pastors, Elders and Deacons

• Do believe in One God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and do you boldly declare Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, and acknowledge Him Lord of all and Head of the Church? 
• Do you believe the Scriptures of the Old and New Testament to be the Word of God, and, inspired by the Holy Spirit, the unique witness to Jesus Christ and the authority for Christian faith and life? 
• Do you believe the Scriptures of the Old and New Testament to be the Word of God, and, inspired by the Holy Spirit, the unique witness to Jesus Christ and the authority for Christian faith and life? 
• Relying on the Holy Spirit, do you humbly submit to God’s call on your life, commit- ting yourself to God’s mission, and fulfilling your ministry in obedience to Jesus Christ, under the authority of Scripture and guided by our confessions?
• Will you be governed by ECO’s polity and discipline? And will you be accountable to your fellow elders, deacons, and pastors as you lead?
• Do you promise to be faithful in maintaining the truth of the Gospel and the peace, unity, and purity of the Church?
• Will you pray for and seek to serve the people with energy, intelligence, imagination, and love?
• For Elders: Will you be a faithful elder, watching over the people in their worship, nurture, and service to God? 
• For Deacons: Will you be a faithful deacon, serving the people, urging concern and directing the people’s help to those in need?
• For Pastors: Will you be a faithful minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ by proclaiming the good news, teaching the faith, showing the people God’s mission, and caring for the people?

Questions for the Congregation

• For Elders/Deacons: Do we, the covenant partners of this congregation, accept (names) as elders or deacons, chosen by God through the voice of this congregation to lead us in the way of Jesus Christ according to the Word of God and the Constitution of ECO?
• Do we agree to pray for them, to encourage them, to respect their decisions, and to follow as they guide us, serving Jesus Christ, who alone is Head of the Church?

Having answered these questions in the affirmative, those to be ordained shall kneel, if able, for prayer and the laying on of hands by other ordained officers.  

The Moderator will say to the ordained:  You are now elders or deacons in the Church and for this congregation. Whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. Amen.

• For Pastors: Do we, the covenant partners of this congregation, accept (name) as our pastor (associate pastor, assistant pastor), chosen by God through the voice of this congregation to lead us in the way of Jesus Christ, according to the Word of God and the Constitution of ECO?
• Do we agree to pray for him (her), to encourage him (her), to respect his (her) deci- sions and to follow as he (she) guides us, serving Jesus Christ, who alone is Head of the Church?
• Do we agree to pay him (her) fairly and provide for his (her) welfare as he (she) works among us?
• Will we listen to the word he (she) preaches, welcome his (her) pastoral care, and honor his (her) servant leadership and authority as he (she) seeks to honor Jesus Christ?

Having answered these questions in the affirmative, the candidate to be ordained and/or installed shall kneel, if able, and the presbytery shall, with prayer and the laying on of hands, ordain the candidate to the ministry of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and install him (her) to the particular pastoral responsibility. The presbytery will invite other ordained pastors and elders to join in the laying on of hands.

The presiding member of the presbytery will say:  You are now a minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, a pastor (associate pastor, assistant pastor) for this congregation. Whatever you do, in word and deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. Amen.

From ECO: A Covenant Order of Evangelical Presbyterians, Polity: 2.0103 Ordination Vows 

Twenty-one men and women from our congregation serve as elders. Together with the pastors (also called “teaching elders”), they make up our Board of Elders, or Session. Elders are responsible for overseeing the spiritual health of the congregation as well as the congregation’s faithfulness to God’s mission.   

Session meets regularly to pray and discern God’s direction for First Pres and oversee business and ministry decisions. A subset of Session, called Trustees, oversees the church budget and ensures financial integrity. First Pres’ pastors and senior leaders report to the Session and together keep Christ at the center of the church.    

Session meetings are open to members to observe. (Only active elders speak and vote.) Please contact Elizabeth Roth to reserve a seat if you plan to attend.

You can reach the Session at elders@firstprescos.org.

Our annual meeting was held on February 4, 2024, at 12:30 p.m. in the Worship center. If you have any questions about the content of our annual meeting not noted in the attached documents, please contact Elizabeth Roth at eroth@firstprescos.org.

Session meetings are held on the third Tuesday of each month, except July and December.  Please see the monthly notes here.