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ARTICLE VI. ELDERS
The New Testament Scripture is clear about those who have the responsibility of rule, oversight, and care of the church. These men are called elders, overseers, and bishops. All three different titles are used to refer to the same spiritual office of leadership in the church and are interchangeable *(1). We know that Christ is the head of the church and that He mediates His rule in the church through the shepherding of elders (pastors) *(2).
 
References
(1) 1 Timothy 3:1-7, (2) Acts 20:17-18, 28-31; 1Peter 5:1-4
 
SECTION 1. THE AUTHORITY OF THE ELDERS
A. DECISION-MAKING AUTHORITY
All the decision-making authority of the church is vested in the elders (pastors) who shepherd the church. The objective of any and all decisions made shall be to do the will of God regarding the matter at hand(1).
 
B. DECISION-MAKING PROCESS
Decisions shall be reached after prayerful consideration in a spirit of humility, with each elder regarding one another before himself.

Each matter will be voted on twice, unless the vote is unanimously in favor, or 1/4 of the elders vote “no”.

A matter receiving a unanimous “yes” vote is a “yes” decision.

A matter receiving a 25% “no” vote is a “no” decision.

If there are less than 4 members of the board of elders, a simple majority is required to make a decision.
When a decision is made by the elders, the decision making process will be as follows:
 
VOTE 1:
  1. 1. If all the elders vote “yes,” the answer is “yes,” and the matter is settled.
  2. 2. If 25% of the elders vote “no,” the answer is “no,” and the matter is settled.
  3. 3. If any elder votes “no,” but there are not enough “no” votes to settle the matter, then a second vote will be taken at a later time.
  4. 4. Before the second vote is taken, additional information, discussion, Godly counsel, and time as needed, will be allowed to go over the matter at hand. After considering the additional information, discussion, and counsel, the elders will then allow the time needed for prayer.
VOTE 2:
  1. 1. If 75% of the elders vote “yes,” then the decision is “yes,” and the matter is settled.
  2. 2. If less than 75% of the elders vote “yes,” then the decision is “no,” and the matter is settled.
The elders all agree that a decision on any specific matter will be determined by the second vote.
 
STATEMENT OF UNITY
Any decision made after following the agreed upon decision-making process will be a unified “yes” or “no” decision. All elders agree to be unified in the final decision, “yes” or “no,” in public and in private, even though it may not agree with their personal preference *(2).
 
C. SPECIAL DECISIONS
The elder body shall seek the formal affirmation of the congregation when the following decisions are being made *(3):
  1. The calling of or removal of the pastor-teacher.
  2. The calling of or removal of pastoral or non-pastoral ministry staff.
  3. The church’s annual budget.
  4. Expenditures involving new property or new buildings and related indebtedness.
  5. The selection of elders.
  6. Any changes or amendments to the constitution and by-laws.
D. AFFIRMATION OPTIONS
The elder body may choose at any time and on any matter to seek the affirmation of the congregation or any leadership group within the church such as deacons, teachers, etc. These affirmations may be formal or informal.
 
References
(1) Acts 15:2-6; Hebrews 13:7, (2) Acts 15:6-22, (3) Proverbs 11:14
 
SECTION 2. CONGREGATIONAL AFFIRMATION
A. PURPOSE OF CONGREGATIONAL AFFIRMATIONS
The purpose of an affirmation from the congregation, deacons or any other group of the church is the wisdom of seeking the godly counsel of many as taught in scripture *(1). This type of counsel can be helpful to the elders in the determining of God’s will in a matter. We must remember that the purpose of an affirmation is not so that the many can make the decision *(2). The elders will make all final decisions.
 
B. TYPES OF AFFIRMATIONS
1. Formal Affirmation:
A ballot vote of eligible members present at a meeting called for the specific purpose of affirming a decision being made by the elders on a particular matter. The meeting shall be called by the elders or pastor-teacher and publicly announced at least two weeks prior to the meeting. The results of all formal affirmations will be made public.
2. Informal Affirmation:
A vote taken using any method desired by the elders for the purpose of polling the counsel of the congregation or a leadership group (i.e. deacons, teachers, etc.) on any matter.
 
C. ELIGIBLE MEMBERS
A church member is eligible to cast a ballot in formal affirmations when he or she is present and has reached the age of eighteen.
 
D. BALLOTS
The ballots used for voting shall provide the following choices, after prayer on the matter at hand:
  1. I believe that this is God’s will for our church.
  2. I do not believe that this is God’s will for our church.
  3. I am undecided in the matter.
References
(1) Proverbs 11:14, (2) Hebrews 13:17
 
SECTION 3. RESPONSIBILITIES OF ELDERS
A. TO SPIRITUALLY SHEPHERD THE CHURCH
  1. To preach and teach God’s Word*(1).
  2. To pray*(2).
  3. To maintain doctrinal purity in the church*(3).
  4. To reprove, rebuke, and exhort the church with great patience*(4).
  5. To be examples in the church*(5).
B. TO GOVERN AND OVERSEE ALL THE AFFAIRS OF THE CHURCH
  1. To establish policies and practices for the church that are consistent with scripture and the purpose of the church *(6).
  2. To direct and oversee all of the financial resources and expenditures of the church.
  3. To direct and oversee the maintaining of adequate and correct accounts, books, and records of the business of the church.
  4. To appoint officers and councils as needed to carry out the business of the church in an orderly and acceptable manner. Any officer or council appointed by the elders is directly responsible to the elders and shall serve as long as the elders see the need *(7).
  5. To select a pastor-teacher in accordance with the selection process established in these by-laws.
  6. To appoint elders for the church in accordance with the selection process established in these by-laws*(8).
  7. To appoint deacons for the church in accordance with the selection process established in these by-laws*(9).
  8. To maintain open communication with the church body.
References
(1) Acts 6:2, 4; 1 Timothy 5:17; 2 Timothy 4:2, (2) Acts 6:4, (3) Galatians 1:6-9; 1 Timothy 1:3-7; Jude 3-4, (4) 2 Timothy 4:2; Titus 1:9-11, (5) 1 Peter 5:3, (6) 1 Timothy 3:4-5, (7) Acts 6:3, (8) Titus 1:5, (9) Acts 6:2-6
 
SECTION 4. QUALIFICATIONS OF ELDERS
A. CALLED BY GOD
An elder (pastor) must be a man who has been called by God into the gospel ministry. The evidences for such a call are as follows:
  1. Confirmation of the call to the ministry by other believers*(1).
  2. Possession of the abilities necessary to serve (giftedness).
  3. A deep desire to serve*(2).
  4. A lifestyle characterized by moral integrity *(3).
B. ACTIVE MEMBERSHIP
An elder must affirm and adhere to the membership covenant of this church *(4).
 
C. BIBLICAL QUALIFICATIONS
An elder must possess the qualifications described in 1Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:6-9. He shall be:
  1. Blameless as a steward of God; above reproach.
  2. Husband of one wife, never having been divorced.
  3. Temperate, sober, vigilant.
  4. Sober-minded, prudent.
  5. Given to hospitality.
  6. Apt to teach; able to teach; he can exhort believers and refute false teaching.
  7. Not given to wine.
  8. Not violent; not pugnacious.
  9. Patient, moderate, forbearing, gentle.
  10. Not a brawler; uncontentious; not soon angry or quick-tempered.
  11. Not covetous; not a lover of money; not greedy of base gain.
  12. Rules his own household well. His children are faithful;not accused of rebellion to God.
  13. Not a novice; not a new convert.
  14. Has a good report or reputation with outsiders.
  15. Not self-willed.
  16. Loves what is good.
  17. Just, fair.
  18. Holy, devout.
  19. Self-controlled.
D. ORDINATION
An elder (pastor) must be ordained to the gospel ministry by this church or a church of like faith *(5).
 
References
(1) 2 Timothy 2:1-2; 3John 1:12, (2) 1 Timothy 3:1, (3) Titus 1: 6-9; 1Peter 5:1-3, (4) Hebrews 10:25, (5) Acts 14:23
 
SECTION 5. SELECTION OF ELDERS
A. INITIAL SELECTION OF ELDERS
In as much as the pastor-teacher has the responsibility of the spiritual equipping and oversight of the entire congregation, and shall be the first among equals in the elder body, he shall present to the church body the initial group of men who make up the elder body.
 
B. ELDER SELECTION PROCESS FROM WITHIN THE CONGREGATION
The process by which elders are nominated and appointed to the body of elders is as follows:
  1. The elders shall set aside men that they determine have met the qualifications and calling of the office of elder. They shall be declared as being under consideration.
  2. The elders shall then make it known to the church that a particular individual is being considered as a candidate for the office of elder.
  3. For a period of time, not less than thirty days, the congregation will have the opportunity to prayerfully consider the individual’s qualifications for the office of elder. If members for any reason feel that the person may be unqualified, they should go to him in love with discretion and privately discuss their concerns *(1). If after a discussion with the nominee, the members feel that their concern is unresolved, then they should approach the elders with their concern. During the time that a man is under consideration, there are several process options.
  • Option 1: The man under consideration can withdraw himself from consideration and the process will cease.
  • Option 2: The elders may deem the man unqualified for whatever reason and the process will cease.
  • Option 3: The man and the elders agree that the process should continue.
  1. After the time of consideration, the elders shall call a special meeting for the purpose of a formal affirmation of the congregation regarding the man under consideration.
  2. After prayerful consideration of the counsel of the congregation, the elders shall vote and make known their decision regarding the man.
  3. Upon elder body approval, the man shall immediately assume his position as an elder.
References
(1) Matthew 18:15-18; Titus 1:7
 
SECTION 6. LEADERSHIP AMONG THE ELDERS
FIRST AMONG EQUALS
As demonstrated in the scriptures, even among the leadership of the church there is a leader. In as much as the pastor-teacher has the responsibility of the spiritual equipping and oversight of the entire congregation, of which each of the elders are a part, he shall be the first among equals in the elder body. As such, he shall serve as the chairman, moderator, and spokesman for the elder body to the church. He shall have but one vote in the elder body, and in that way is an equal among equals *(1).
 
References
(1) Acts 15:13-21
 
SECTION 7. NUMBER OF ELDERS
The number of elders shall be as many as are qualified and needed to carry out the ministry of elders in the church. The elder body shall determine that number.
 
SECTION 8. TERM OF ELDERS
The term of office for an elder shall be as long as he is qualified, capable, and desirous of fulfilling the duties of an elder.
 
SECTION 9. REMOVAL OF ELDERS
Any elder may be removed from office if he becomes physically incapacitated, spiritually unqualified, or his inability to serve is established by the remainder of the elder body. Any accusation or action against an elder must be presented to the elder body in accordance with scripture *(1).
 
References
(1) 1 Timothy 5:19-20
 
SECTION 10. ELDER BODY MEETINGS
Meetings of the elder body shall be held on a regular basis as determined by the elders. Anyone desiring to approach the elders on any matter or need may feel free to arrange to meet with them. The pastor-teacher/chairman may call special meetings of the elder body as needed.
 


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