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.