Don't forget that Elder & Deacon Nominations are due on January 14th! To nominate a gentleman for one of these positions, you must be a member of the Grace Point congregation. Below outlines the duties of each position and the election procedure. To Download the Form Click Here or fill out at the bottom of the page. You can leave it in the office or email it to Keith.

The Offices of Elder and Deacon

• Elder – The office of elder is one of spiritual oversight and government of the church (Titus 1:5ff, I Timothy 3:1-7). In the NT, elders are sometimes referred to as shepherds (Acts 20:28, I Peter 5:1-3), because they are charged with the care and nurture of the church just as a shepherd cares for his flock. Elders are also responsible for the teaching ministry of the church (I Timothy 5:17-18). Thus, elders must both understand the truths of God’s word and be able to effectively minister in the body as one who encourages, edifies, and when needed, confronts and rebukes.
• Deacon – The office of deacon is also one of spiritual leadership through acts of service, extending mercy to those in need, especially to those within the church. Deacons are first mentioned in Acts 6:1-6 as those chosen to minister to the physical needs within the church. They are to be men "who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom." The spiritual nature of the deacon’s ministry is vital to the health of the church.

Procedure for Election of Officers

• Nomination – An officer must be nominated by a member of the congregation.
  Time of Discovery – Nominees will then be given six months to assess their gifts and desire to serve in the office. During this time, the nominee will attend the meetings of the Session or Diaconate and serve alongside existing officers. Over these months, we will also study together in the areas of Christian Experience and Call to the Office, Theology, Church Government and Bible knowledge.
• Examination – At the completion of the Time of Discovery, nominees who sense God leading them to serve as an elder or deacon will then be examined by the Session in the areas listed above. The elders will also talk with a candidate's wife to ensure that she supports him serving in the role.
• Election – If the nominees are approved following their examination, they are presented to the church at a congregational meeting. A simple majority vote is required to elect the officers.
• Installation and Ordination – New officers are installed and ordained according to the procedures in the PCA Book of Church Order, Chapter 24.

Nomination Form