First Church of Christ
in Wethersfield
Elder Governance
Informational Meeting
November 2012
fcc.elder.questions@gmail.com
Summary
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An Elder Model of governance is Biblical and
consistent with the Congregational Way
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?
• 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outdated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
Bible Provides Direction*
Elders (direction, doctrine, conflict resolution):
•
•
•
•
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Biblical character, care for church (1 Timothy 3:1-7, Titus 1:5-9)
A believer, not a brand new believer (1 Timothy 3:6)
Able to direct the affairs of the church (1 Timothy 5:17)
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 5:1-4)
Deacons (directed, serving):
•
•
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Biblical character (1 Timothy 3:8-13)
Able and willing to serve (1 Timothy 3:10, Acts 6:2-3)
Believers, full of the Spirit and wisdom (1 Timothy 3:9, Acts 6:1-4)
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Accountability Structure
Comparison: Members
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: Responsibilities
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: Characteristics
Current Board:
Elder Board:
•
Familiar
•
Strong Biblical Support
•
Strong committee representation
•
•
Scheduled turnover
Allows people gifted in leadership to be
leaders of the church
•
Larger membership
•
•
No church leadership gifting
requirement
Allows people gifted in ministry to
pursue ministry without additional
responsibility
•
Limits turnover
•
Structure doesn’t easily support
decision making in doctrine,
direction or conflict resolution
•
Supports decision making in areas of
direction, doctrine, and conflict
resolution
•
Term: 3+3+1; Emeritus
•
Consolidated leadership authority
•
Stringent Biblical Character requirements
Elder Installation

Initial Elder Selection will be done by a search committee,
similar to a Senior Minister search.
– After initial membership is established, the elders will suggest future
elder appointments, as they know best what the position requires. The
congregation participates via suggested nominations and congregational
vote.

Each potential elder is voted on individually by the
congregation.
– The Elders report to the congregation. Any elder can be removed by
congregational vote.

4/13/2015
Accountability and discipline within the board of elders will be
consistent with Matthew 18:15-20, 1 Corinthians 5:1-6:11,
Galatians 6:1-2, 1Timothy 5:19-22
First Church of Christ Elder Notes
9
Summary

A Elder Model…
– Is Biblical
– Is consistent with the Congregational Way
– Is character and gifting based.
– Provides more stable leadership.
– Streamlines process and allows people to
better serve Christ in the church and
community.
– fcc.elder.questions@gmail.com
Reference
* Scripture References
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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, 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 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 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. 7Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into
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 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 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 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, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and
also to rebuke those who contradict it.
4/13/2015
First Church of Christ Elder Notes
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* Scripture References
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Acts 20:17-18, 28-31 17Now from Miletus he (Paul) sent to Ephesus and called the
elders of the church to come to him. 18And when they came to him, he said to them: 28
Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has
made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own
blood. 29I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not
sparing the flock; 30and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted
things, to draw away the disciples after them. 31Therefore be alert, remembering that
for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish everyone with tears.
1 Peter 5:1-4 1So 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 going to be revealed: 2
shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under
compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly;
3not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. 4And
when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.
4/13/2015
First Church of Christ Elder Notes
13
Deacons Will Continue All Activities Defined in
July 2011 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 Initial
Elder Selection Process
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Elder subcommittee to develop nomination form.
Congregation to nominate members based on biblical description of
elders.
Elder nominating committee is trained on qualifications of elders.
Elder nominating committee identifies candidates using nominations
from congregation and leadership.
Elder nominating committee to interview candidates.
Upon approval and recommendation of elder nominating committee
individual candidates names will be made available to the congregation.
Congregation will have one month to reflect and pray on the candidates.
Individual candidates to introduce themselves and give testimony at
Congregational Meeting.
Congregational vote of individual candidates.
Elder Board assumes nomination responsibilities for future elders.
4/13/2015
First Church of Christ Elder Notes
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