Elder & Deacon Nominees

Article 3 – Section 5

Members shall seek to exercise their spiritual gifts for the mutual benefit of all the Church body and shall submit to the loving rule of the elders of this Church. It is the privilege and responsibility of members to attend all members’ meetings and to vote on the election of elders, deacons, and officers, on decisions regarding membership status, and on such other matters as may be submitted to a vote, subject to the age limitation on voting set forth in Article 3, Section 4.* 

Each member shall be privileged and expected to participate in and contribute to the ministry and life of the Church, consistent with God’s leading and with the gifts, time, and material resources each has received from God. Only those shall be entitled to serve in the ministries of the Church who are members of this congregation; non-members may serve as needed with the approval of the elders. Notwithstanding, non-members may serve the Church for purposes of administration and professional consultation.

*Only those members who are eighteen (18) years of age or older shall have the right to vote, as the voting entitlement of members under these Bylaws on any and all matters brought to the Church congregation, including, but not limited to, those matters identified below, is limited to only those members who are eighteen (18) years of age or older. 

Article 7 – Section 4

The election of elders, deacons, clerk, and treasurer shall be held at a members’ meeting of the Church. Names of nominees to serve as elders, deacons, clerk, or treasurer shall be presented by the Council of Elders by written notice to the members no later than thirty (30) days prior to the date of the members’ meeting for election, and the election shall proceed in the manner directed by the moderator. Nominations shall not be received from the floor at the members’ meeting for election. The written notice required by this Section to be given to the members may be given by placing the nominations in a written notice within the time frame set forth herein. 

The elders should seek recommendations and involvement from the general membership in the nomination process in a manner deemed appropriate by the Council of Elders. Members are encouraged to submit the names of qualified candidates to serve as elders, deacons, clerk, or treasurer to the Council of Elders in an adequate time prior to any time required for or designated by the elders to give written notice to the members of the names of nominees. Nominees to be submitted to the membership are determined by the Council of Elders. Any member with reason to believe that a nominee is unqualified for an office should express such concern to the elders. Members intending to speak in opposition to a nominee should express their objection to the elders as far in advance as possible before the relevant Church members’ meeting. 

Each nominee for elder will be voted on individually as to whether the nominee is elected by affirmative vote to serve as an elder. The moderator shall declare elected as elders each man nominated who receives an affirmative vote of no less than seventy-five percent (75%) of all votes cast for the office of elder. For all other offices, the moderator shall declare elected all persons receiving a simple majority of all votes cast. For all elections or other votes of the members of the Church, abstentions will not be considered as votes cast. 

The persons elected shall assume their respective offices upon election, unless another date has been specifically designated.