Spotlight on Ministry: Leadership in the Church
Each month during 2006, we shined the spotlight on one of the vital ministries and missions of First Presbyterian Church. We hope this helps you get a clearer picture of what the church does and - if you are ready to volunteer - how you can help.
What We Do and Why:
How much older is an elder?
What does an elder do? What is a deacon? Why are some meetings called a session? These are common questions, especially this time of year. It is during the summer that the Nominating Committee typically begins asking potential church officer-nominees if they would be willing to serve as elder or deacon.
The word elder is the English translation of the Greek presbyteroi, which literally means "old." Perhaps your eye doctor has told you that you have presbyopia, "old person's vision," the syndrome that means you have to hold the newspaper far away to read it. But you don't have to be old to be an elder. Church elders are older in a spiritual sense - they are spiritually mature. Paul wrote to Timothy, "not a new convert." Elders are to provide spiritual leadership through their living example as well as their words. The Session - both elders and pastor - provides oversight for all the ministries of the church. They prayerfully discern God's wisdom on various key issues and make decisions for the church. Elders also serve as partners, not over, but with staff to implement the ministries of the church.
Session is now in session
Session is made up of elders in active service and ordained pastor(s), all of whom have voting privileges. In addition to the pastor being a voting member (a little known fact, since a pastor usually exercises their vote only to make or break a tie), the Senior Pastor serves the session as moderator. A Clerk is appointed to take notes (minutes) of meetings and provide for communication between the Session and congregation. The Deacon moderator or his/her appointee also attends session meetings with voice, but no vote. All session meetings are open to members and we welcome and sometimes invite guests to join us for all or part of a meeting. Session can, if desired, vote to close the meeting in cases when confidential business needs to be conducted. Session minutes are also available in the church office and are open to church members.
We believe in God…and more
Officers are men and women of conviction. When someone becomes a member of the church, we ask only that they profess that Jesus Christ is their Savior and Lord. Presbyterian churches ask significantly more of their officers. Elders and Deacons are expected to have knowledge of the doctrine, government, and discipline contained in the Presbyterian Book of Confessions and Book of Order. (Book of Order G-14.0205) All officers are expected to accept the Bible as inspired by God and authoritative for faith and practice. In addition, it is expected that officers receive and adopt the "essential tenets of the Reformed faith." (Book of Order G-14.0207)
Bill Schrader, John Richards, Dave Bartruff and Mike Horn
pause during a hike, during the Deacons Retreat at Westminster Woods.
Deacons: SWS and C
Sympathy, Witness and Service (SWS) are the keywords that described the role of deacons in the church. It is the duty of deacons to follow the example of Jesus Christ as they minister to those who are in need, to the sick, to the friendless, and to any who may be in distress both within and beyond the community of faith. Deacons may assume other tasks as delegated by the Session. We depend on our deacons to assist with the Lord’s Supper and provide for our fellowship times after worship (C is for coffee!).
God is calling - but it's the Nominating Committee on the Phone
We believe an elder or deacon is called by God, and that call is to be discerned by both the nominee and the body of Christ, represented by the Nominating Committee. The Nominating Committee represents the entire congregation, so representatives are appointed to represent Session, Deacon Board and other groups or demographics of the congregation, often referred to as "at-large" members (No, elders don't have to be old, and "at large" members don't have to be… well, you get it). The Nominating Committee does not "choose" officers; they "discern" God's choice for officers. Prayer is job one.
A Deacon's Work is Never Done
We distinguish between "elders" and "elders in active service," because once you take the ordination vows of an elder, you are obligated to those vows, even beyond your term of office. The same is true of deacons. But only the officers in active service are on the Deacon Board or Session. The church depends heavily on all elders and deacons - even those not in active service - to pray for and support the church, to serve as personal examples of discipleship and to continue serving in various ways. Often, officers in active service seek the wise counsel of those who were once in active service.
© 2006 First Presbyterian Church of Petaluma