First Church of First Church of Christ in Christ in WethersfieldWethersfield

Elder Governance Elder Governance Informational MeetingInformational Meeting

November 2012November 2012

fcc.elder.questions@gmail.fcc.elder.questions@gmail.comcom

SummarySummary

An Elder Model of governance is Biblical An Elder Model of governance is Biblical and consistent with the Congregational and consistent with the Congregational WayWay

The Church Board, Deacons, and Pastoral Staff recommend that FCC be returned to the original Elder model (as prior to UCC)

FCC Congregational approval is required

Why Return to Elders?Why Return to Elders?

• Bylaws require updating; omissions, unclear and outdated

• Bylaws make no allowance for issues regarding doctrine, direction, and conflict resolution

• Bylaws assume affiliation with UCC• Consistency with FCC size• Elders reflect biblical mandate• Elders brings us back to FCC governance history • Current board responsibilities & size require

exceptional gifting that is difficult to fill and replace every 2 – 4 years

Elders (direction, doctrine, conflict Elders (direction, doctrine, conflict resolution): resolution):

• Biblical character, care for church (1 Timothy 3:1-7, Titus Biblical character, care for church (1 Timothy 3:1-7, Titus 1:5-9)1:5-9)

• A believer, not a brand new believer (1 Timothy 3:6)A believer, not a brand new believer (1 Timothy 3:6)• Able to direct the affairs of the church (1 Timothy 5:17)Able to direct the affairs of the church (1 Timothy 5:17)• Holds firmly to sound doctrine ( 1 Timothy 3:2, Titus 1:9)Holds firmly to sound doctrine ( 1 Timothy 3:2, Titus 1:9)• Care and protect the flock (Acts 20:17-18, 28-31, 1 Peter Care and protect the flock (Acts 20:17-18, 28-31, 1 Peter

5:1-4)5:1-4)

Deacons (directed, serving): Deacons (directed, serving): • Biblical character (1 Timothy 3:8-13)Biblical character (1 Timothy 3:8-13)• Able and willing to serve (1 Timothy 3:10, Acts 6:2-3)Able and willing to serve (1 Timothy 3:10, Acts 6:2-3)• Believers, full of the Spirit and wisdom (1 Timothy 3:9, Believers, full of the Spirit and wisdom (1 Timothy 3:9,

Acts 6:1-4)Acts 6:1-4)

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Bible Provides Direction*Bible Provides Direction*

Accountability Accountability StructureStructure

Current Board:14 Members:

– President– Senior minister– Chairman of Department of Worship

(Deacons)– Chairman of Department of Education– Chairman of Department of Research

and Long Range Planning– Chairman of Department of Inreach– Chairman of Department of Outreach– Chairman of Department of Finance &

Property– Chairman of Department of

Communication– Chairman of Personnel Committee– Four members at large

Elder Board:7 Members:

– Six Elders– Senior minister– One of the six elders will be

chairman

Comparison: MembersComparison: Members

Current Board:Collectively, the board meets to:

– Discuss and decide on important issues

– Review and approve the financial budget

– Review and approve changes to the vision and mission

– However, most board members do not function as chairpersons of their respective departments

Elder Board:Board responsibilities and activities (Direction, Doctrine, Conflict resolution)

– Discuss and decide on important issues

– Review and approve the financial budget

– Develop the vision and mission– Implement the vision and mission

(direction)– Help bring reconciliation to

members in conflict and resolution to issues facing the congregation

– Review and address concerns and needs of the congregation

– Ensure that the doctrine and practices of the church remain biblical

– Maintenance and revision of Bylaws– Responsible for church membership

Comparison: Comparison: ResponsibilitiesResponsibilities

Current Board:•Familiar

•Strong committee representation

•Scheduled turnover

•Larger membership

•No church leadership gifting requirement

•Structure doesn’t easily support decision making in doctrine, direction or conflict resolution

Elder Board:•Strong Biblical Support

•Allows people gifted in leadership to be leaders of the church

• Allows people gifted in ministry to pursue ministry without additional responsibility

•Limits turnover

•Supports decision making in areas of direction, doctrine, and conflict resolution

•Term: 3+3+1; Emeritus

•Consolidated leadership authority

•Stringent Biblical Character requirements

Comparison: Comparison: CharacteristicsCharacteristics

Elder InstallationElder Installation

Initial Elder Selection will be done by a search Initial Elder Selection will be done by a search committee, similar to a Senior Minister search. committee, similar to a Senior Minister search. – After initial membership is established, the elders will suggest After initial membership is established, the elders will suggest

future elder appointments, as they know best what the position future elder appointments, as they know best what the position requires. The congregation participates via suggested requires. The congregation participates via suggested nominations and congregational vote.nominations and congregational vote.

Each potential elder is voted on individually by the Each potential elder is voted on individually by the congregation.congregation.– The Elders report to the congregation. Any elder can be removed The Elders report to the congregation. Any elder can be removed

by congregational vote.by congregational vote.

Accountability and discipline Accountability and discipline withinwithin the board of elders the board of elders will be consistent with Matthew 18:15-20, 1 Corinthians will be consistent with Matthew 18:15-20, 1 Corinthians 5:1-6:11, Galatians 6:1-2, 1Timothy 5:19-225:1-6:11, Galatians 6:1-2, 1Timothy 5:19-22

First Church of Christ Elder Notes04/18/23 9

SummarySummary

A Elder Model…A Elder Model…– Is BiblicalIs Biblical– Is consistent with the Congregational Is consistent with the Congregational

WayWay– Is character and gifting based.Is character and gifting based.– Provides more stable leadership.Provides more stable leadership.– Streamlines process and allows people Streamlines process and allows people

to better serve Christ in the church and to better serve Christ in the church and community.community.

– fcc.elder.questions@gmail.comfcc.elder.questions@gmail.com

ReferenceReference

* Scripture References* Scripture References

1 Timothy 3:1-7: The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of 1 Timothy 3:1-7: The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. 2Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, overseer, he desires a noble task. 2Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of to teach, 3not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. 4He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his money. 4He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, 5for if someone does not know how to manage his own children submissive, 5for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God’s church? 6He must not be a recent convert, or household, how will he care for God’s church? 6He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. 7Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into 7Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil.disgrace, into a snare of the devil.

Titus 1:5-9 This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into Titus 1:5-9 This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you— 6 if anyone is above order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you— 6 if anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife, and his children are believers and not open to reproach, the husband of one wife, and his children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination. 7For an overseer, as God’s steward, the charge of debauchery or insubordination. 7For an overseer, as God’s steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, 8but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, or violent or greedy for gain, 8but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. 9He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, upright, holy, and disciplined. 9He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.those who contradict it.

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* Scripture References* Scripture References

Acts 20:17-18, 28-31 Acts 20:17-18, 28-31 1717Now from Miletus he (Paul) sent to Ephesus and Now from Miletus he (Paul) sent to Ephesus and called the elders of the church to come to him. called the elders of the church to come to him. 1818And when they came to And when they came to him, he said to them: him, he said to them: 2828 Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. of God, which he obtained with his own blood. 2929I know that after my I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; 3030and and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them. away the disciples after them. 3131Therefore be alert, remembering that for Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish everyone with tears. three years I did not cease night or day to admonish everyone with tears.

1 Peter 5:1-4 1 Peter 5:1-4 11So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: going to be revealed: 22 shepherd the flock of God that is among you, shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; 33not domineering over those in your not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. charge, but being examples to the flock. 44And when the chief Shepherd And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.

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Deacons Will Continue All Activities Defined in July Deacons Will Continue All Activities Defined in July 2011 Overview2011 Overview

• Baptisms• Caring Ministries Involvement• Deacon Emeriti Communication and

Contact Updates• Communion & Extended

Communion• Deacon-in-the-Box• Deacon Manual Updates• Funerals/Memorial Services• Good Samaritan Fund Committee• New Member Interviews (may share

this with Elders)• New Member Commitment Team

• Church Growth Team • Reviews membership rosters (may

share this with Elders)• Notes for Pastor Coordinator• Participation in Worship Services• Secretary for Deacons Meetings• Special Projects Team• Special Service Coordinators• Ushering for Christmas Eve and

Easter• Wednesday Night Services (Advent

and Lent)

Process Notes on Process Notes on Initial Elder Selection Initial Elder Selection ProcessProcess

Elder subcommittee to develop nomination form.Elder subcommittee to develop nomination form. Congregation to nominate members based on biblical description of Congregation to nominate members based on biblical description of

elders.elders. Elder nominating committee is trained on qualifications of elders.Elder nominating committee is trained on qualifications of elders. Elder nominating committee identifies candidates using nominations Elder nominating committee identifies candidates using nominations

from congregation and leadership.from congregation and leadership. Elder nominating committee to interview candidates.Elder nominating committee to interview candidates. Upon approval and recommendation of elder nominating committee Upon approval and recommendation of elder nominating committee

individual candidates names will be made available to the individual candidates names will be made available to the congregation.congregation.

Congregation will have one month to reflect and pray on the Congregation will have one month to reflect and pray on the candidates.candidates.

Individual candidates to introduce themselves and give testimony at Individual candidates to introduce themselves and give testimony at Congregational Meeting.Congregational Meeting.

Congregational vote of individual candidates.Congregational vote of individual candidates. Elder Board assumes nomination responsibilities for future elders.Elder Board assumes nomination responsibilities for future elders.

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