What is an Elder?
Elders are the volunteer leadership of the Church, called by God and elected by you, the members of the Church. They typically serve for six years. They meet with the pastors monthly to provide the overall leadership and direction for this church. The Elders together are called the "Session."
Elders are the volunteer leadership of the Church, called by God and elected by you, the members of the Church. They typically serve for six years. They meet with the pastors monthly to provide the overall leadership and direction for this church. The Elders together are called the "Session."
Purpose
Elders care for, protect, pray for, and guide the life of Grace of Christ Yakima. Elders provide Christian leadership ensuring an unwavering devotion to, and direction towards, Jesus Christ. Elders help maintain theological truth, compassion within the community of faith, and a commitment to generously serve in the city and world Grace of Christ is situated in. Elders provide general oversight on financial, organizational, and spiritual matters. Elders are peacemakers, prayer warriors, teachers, leaders by example, and decision makers.
Elders care for, protect, pray for, and guide the life of Grace of Christ Yakima. Elders provide Christian leadership ensuring an unwavering devotion to, and direction towards, Jesus Christ. Elders help maintain theological truth, compassion within the community of faith, and a commitment to generously serve in the city and world Grace of Christ is situated in. Elders provide general oversight on financial, organizational, and spiritual matters. Elders are peacemakers, prayer warriors, teachers, leaders by example, and decision makers.
1 Timothy 3
“This is a trustworthy saying: ‘If someone aspires to be a church leader (elder), he/she desires an honorable position.’ 2 So a church leader must be someone whose life is above reproach. They must be faithful to their spouse. They must exercise self-control, live wisely, and have a good reputation. They must enjoy having guests in their home, and they must be able to teach. 3 They must not be a heavy drinker or be violent. They must be gentle, not quarrelsome, and not love money. 4 They must manage his own family well, having children (under a certain age) who respect and obey them. 5 For if they cannot manage their own household, how can they take care of God’s church?
6 A church leader must not be a new believer, because they might become proud, and the devil would cause them to fall. 7 Also, people outside the church must speak well of them so that they will not be disgraced and fall into the devil’s trap.”
“This is a trustworthy saying: ‘If someone aspires to be a church leader (elder), he/she desires an honorable position.’ 2 So a church leader must be someone whose life is above reproach. They must be faithful to their spouse. They must exercise self-control, live wisely, and have a good reputation. They must enjoy having guests in their home, and they must be able to teach. 3 They must not be a heavy drinker or be violent. They must be gentle, not quarrelsome, and not love money. 4 They must manage his own family well, having children (under a certain age) who respect and obey them. 5 For if they cannot manage their own household, how can they take care of God’s church?
6 A church leader must not be a new believer, because they might become proud, and the devil would cause them to fall. 7 Also, people outside the church must speak well of them so that they will not be disgraced and fall into the devil’s trap.”
Qualifications of Officers
Elders shall be a covenant partner of Grace of Christ Yakima for at least one year. Elders and deacons are nominated, ordained, and installed, by the congregation. Elders must read, understand, and agree to, the Essential Tenets of the ECO denomination.
Elders shall be a covenant partner of Grace of Christ Yakima for at least one year. Elders and deacons are nominated, ordained, and installed, by the congregation. Elders must read, understand, and agree to, the Essential Tenets of the ECO denomination.
The Ministry of Elders
Elders have the authority and responsibility, along with pastors, to oversee the spiritual health of the congregation as well as the congregation's faithfulness to God's mission. Elders shall be elected by the congregation. (2.02 ECO Polity and Discipline Manual)
Elders have the authority and responsibility, along with pastors, to oversee the spiritual health of the congregation as well as the congregation's faithfulness to God's mission. Elders shall be elected by the congregation. (2.02 ECO Polity and Discipline Manual)
Duties
- Pray for Grace of Christ, for the staff, the mission, the pastor and people of the church.
- Protect the church from theological error and from human sin and selfishness.
- Provide humble governance of the life of Grace of Christ.
- Support the various Ministry Teams at Grace of Christ with prayer and good resource stewardship (ie: Worship Ministry Team, Fellowship Ministry Team, Ghormley Ministry Team, Discipleship Ministry Team, Mission Ministry Team, Business Ministry Team ...)
- Attend scheduled Session meetings (usually 4th Tuesday of every month) and special meetings and retreats as may be called during the year.
- Elders, individually and jointly, shall strengthen and nurture the faith and life of the congregation committed to their charge.
- Vote on items presented to the Session, and to the congregation, guided by prayer, the study of scripture, a passion to love Jesus, and a deep respect for the differing Christian consciences of of those who make up the church
2024 Elders:
Doug Bernd, Michele Elledge, Ana Lucas Garcia, Duncan McRayde, Keith Mathews, Shane Merrill, Trinidad Rivera, Jeff Steere, Robin Stuber, and Dennis Whitcher.
Clerk of Session: Jeff Arkills
Doug Bernd, Michele Elledge, Ana Lucas Garcia, Duncan McRayde, Keith Mathews, Shane Merrill, Trinidad Rivera, Jeff Steere, Robin Stuber, and Dennis Whitcher.
Clerk of Session: Jeff Arkills