Submit 2024 Nominations August 18 through September 8
Throughout the year, we look to our congregation for nominations to grow the number of our elders and deacons in order to serve the community of Grace Mills River better. Our process for nominations is outlined below. Please contact us with any questions about serving in capacity at Grace.
1 - Step One
The process starts when a member of the church prayerfully nominates someone who they believe meets the following qualifications of both character and faithfulness:
- Has been a Christian for at least three years
- Has actively attended and participated at Grace Mills River for at least one year
- Is a member in good standing or is willing to become a member of Grace Mills River prior to the end of training
- Demonstrates gifts and attitudes of a servant-leader
- Shows the consistent spiritual maturity and character necessary to be a leader
- Meets the Biblical requirements to be an officer (elder or deacon) (see below)
- Willing to serve sacrificially
By nominating an individual, you are indicating that you have spoken with him/her and have their permission to be nominated. No one should be “blindly” nominated or caught by surprise. This person understands what he/she is being nominated for and knows they will need to complete training and interviews before they will be presented to the body for a vote. A summary of the “job description” for both elders and deacon(esses) can be found here. A Summary of the training schedule can be found here.
Grace is part of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) and believes Scripture calls qualified men to serve in the office of elder and deacon. It also believes, in recognition of and submission to our denominational leadership’s Book of Church Order, that the Session of elders may appoint both men and women (the latter called “deaconesses”) to serve alongside the deacons in the vital work of the Diaconate. To such we give public recognition that those who meet biblical, spiritual-maturity requirements, complete servant-leadership training and willingly submit to the Session’s authority, can serve the needs of the body–their appointment by the Session confirmed by the commendation of the vote of the whole Body. We realize this distinction–in role but not in dignity–can be confusing or even offensive to some, so we welcome any opportunity to offer the reasoning behind our perspective.
Members may submit nominations and recommendations for appointments by filling out the provided nomination form below.
What happens after someone is nominated?
2 - STEP TWO
Pastors and/or session will meet with each of those who are nominated in order to:
- Determine their level of understanding concerning the work of the office or role to which they have been nominated or recommended
- Communicate what is involved in the required training process
- Review qualifications, job descriptions and expectations
- Confirm that each nominee/recommendation meets the initial requirements
- Confirm the nominee’s level of commitment and willingness to complete training and serve
- Explain what happens from nomination/recommendation to election and ordination (or appointment).
3 - STEP THREE
The nominee will begin the training processes with church leadership.
4 - STEP FOUR
Following training, the nominees will be presented to the session who will examine each candidate and approve them to be presented to the congregation for a vote. Since our Book of Church Order (24-1) requires that candidates be examined in their understanding of bible, theology, and church government, a brief, straightforward examination will be given at the completion of the training. Study guides for those examinations will be provided at the very beginning of training.
5 - STEP FIVE
The elders approve a list of nominees called a ‘slate’ that is then presented to the congregation a month before members vote for each nominee at a congregational meeting. Each nominee must receive a majority of the needed votes at the congregational meeting in order to be installed and/or appointed.
6 - STEP SIX
Following the election, the new officers are ordained or appointed and commissioned to begin their ministry of leading and serving.
Reviewing Scripture Qualification
Considering the need and importance of leadership the session and pastors at Grace encourage members to pray and to carefully consider their choices before they make a nomination. Each nominee must meet the requirements for each office. An excellent place to start would to reading the qualifications listed in Timothy, and Titus and 1 Peter for officers in the church.
1Timothy 3
“Here is a trustworthy saying: If anyone sets his heart on being an overseer [elder], he desires a noble task. Now the overseer must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him with proper respect. (If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?) He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil. He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap.
Deacons, likewise, are to be men worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain. They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience. They must first be tested; and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons. In the same way, their wives* are to be women worthy of respect, not malicious talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything. A deacon must be the husband of but one wife and must manage his children and his household well. Those who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus.” [*or deaconesses]
Titus 1:5-9
“The reason I left you in Crete was that you might straighten out what was left unfinished and appoint elders in every town, as I directed you. An elder must be blameless, the husband of but one wife, a man whose children believe and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient. Since an overseer is entrusted with God’s work, he must be blameless— not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain. Rather he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined. He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.”
1 Peter 5:1-4
“To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder, a witness of Christ’s sufferings and one who also will share in the glory to be revealed: Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, serving as overseers—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.”