ARTICLE IV – ELDERS AND DEACONS
D. ELDERS AND DEACONS
1. Qualifications
a. The
requirements for church leadership listed in 1
Timothy 3: 1-13 and Titus 1:5-9 will be
the standard by which individuals will be considered for the offices of Elder
and Deacon.
b. All
Elders and Deacons must be regular worshipers and supporters of this church
and be able to subscribe without reservation to these bylaws and the Articles
of Faith contained herein,
c. Before
a man's name can be placed in nomination for either Elder or Deacon, he shall
have responded affirmatively to the following questions:
(1) Have you publicly confessed
Christ as personal Savior and experienced the new birth set forth in John 3:3 and Titus 3:5?
(2) Are you in hearty agreement
with the doctrinal statement of this church and her bylaws?
(3) Are you endeavoring to live a
surrendered and prayerful Christian life, especially as regards " loyal
obedience to the moral precepts taught in the Word of God for believers. 1 John 2: 15-17; James 4:4; Titus 2:11-15 Including:
a. Separation
from the world?
b. Freedom
from membership in oath-bound religious or social secret organizations (II Corinthians 6:14, 7:1).
c. A
moral conduct beyond reproach and freedom from carnal indulgence, such as the
use of intoxicating liquors, tobacco in all its forms and narcotic drugs, all
of which are to a degree harmful to the body which is the temple of the Holy
Spirit and may become stumbling blocks to growing young Christians and out of
harmony with a dedicated life as set forth in Romans
8:12-13,12:1-2,13:14,14:21; Galatians 5:16-25; Ephesians 4:22-24; Colossians
3:1-11; I Peter 1:14-16; I John 3:5-9?
2. Number
and Term of Office
a. The
number of Elders and Deacons shall be as determined by the Church Council,
subject to the approval of the congregation.
b. Elders
shall be elected for three (3) years and Deacons for three (3) years, and
shall be permitted to succeed themselves. These terms may be adjusted as
necessary by action of the congregation, in order to stagger the terms and
balance the number going off either board in any particular year.
3. Duties
of the Elders
a. It
shall be the duty of the Elders to care for the spiritual life of the church,
to guard its purity in doctrine, and to discipline the church in harmony with
the Word of God. They shall also be jointly responsible with the Pastor in
counseling those who confess Christ as Savior and become children of God.
b. They
shall assist the Pastor in administering the ordinances of baptism and
communion, the latter to be held monthly and on certain special occasions and
a re-enactment of the upper room event of Jesus with His disciples on
Thursday evening prior to Good Friday. Additionally, the Elders shall assist
in counseling the needy, comforting the sick and the afflicted, and in
supplying for the pulpit in the absence of the Pastor.
c. They
shall meet monthly throughout the year and more often if needs arise.
4. Duties
of the Deacons
a. The
Deacons shall administer all business matters of the church, shall function
as trustees in all legal transactions, and shall be responsible for the
maintenance of all church property. They shall, with the Pastor, minister to
the needy and determine what needs the congregation can be effective in
alleviating.
b. They
shall be keep themselves in readiness to assist in guiding the spiritual life
of the church, administering its ordinances of baptism and communion, and to
perform any other necessary calling. They shall endeavor, according to the
grace given them by God, to live in full conformity with the standards set
forth in these bylaws for their particular office, and especially, as given
in God's Word.
c. They
shall meet monthly throughout the year and more often if needs arise.
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