Leadership

Elders share responsibility to help create a church community that is woven together by Jesus Christ through the Holy Spirit. They strive to know and guide congregation members toward deeper faith and discipleship, including home visits with congregation members and hospital visits when appropriate. Elected elders also provide oversight and care for the leadership of the church. 

The Elders are responsible for approving the church’s annual budget each year and providing oversight of the monthly spending of the church. The Elder Board sets a year-end focus and giving goal each year and assists the leadership in communicating that goal.

The Elder Board serves the church body through governance including nomination and selection of new elders each year, usage of the building and parsonage, policies, and denominational structure.

Guiding through discipline

Elected elders, together with leadership, are responsible for holding each other and the community to a loving accountability. As the congregation walks and works together as a community of disciples, the elders serve as shepherds for the whole body of Christ.

Elders agree to the following portions of this role:

• Nurture a personal relationship with God
• Adhere to church bylaws
• Maintain proper voting, election and terms of Elders
• Assist with annual Elder recruitment each September
• Engage in the community life of the church
• Participate in meaningful financial contribution to the church
• Participate in Elder meetings
• Participate in Elder special projects
• Care check in with staff members

Elected elders will be nominated and interviewed with the following qualifications in mind:

• Passionate, devoted follower of Christ
• Desire to serve and care for the Platt Park Church community and staff as outlined in 1 Peter 5:1 – “Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.”
• Active member of the church community.
• Strong understanding of church governance and leadership or willingness to learn.
• Good communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with diverse teams.
• Commitment to the church’s mission and values.
• Personal financial management and financial integrity and the passion to assist the church in similar excellence and integrity.
• Strive to model Biblical leadership as envisioned in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:6.

“If anyone wants to provide leadership in the church, good! But there are preconditions: A leader must be well-thought-of, committed to their spouse, cool and collected, accessible, and hospitable. They must know what they are talking about, not be overfond of wine, not pushy but gentle, not thin-skinned, not money-hungry. They must handle their own affairs well, attentive to their own children and having their respect. For if someone is unable to handle their own affairs, how can they take care of God’s church? They must not be a new believer, lest the position go to their head and the Devil trip them up. Outsiders must think well of them, or else the Devil will figure out a way to lure them into his trap.” 1 Timothy 3:1-7, The Message (gender-neutral language added)

“I left you in charge in Crete so you could complete what I left half-done. Appoint leaders in every town according to my instructions. As you select them, ask, “Is this person well-thought-of? Is he/she committed to his/her spouse? Are their children believers? Do they respect him/her and stay out of trouble?” It’s important that a church leader, responsible for the affairs in God’s house, be looked up to—not pushy, not short-tempered, not a drunk, not a bully, not money-hungry. They must welcome people, be helpful, wise, fair, reverent, have a good grip on themself, and have a good grip on the Message, knowing how to use the truth to either spur people on in knowledge or stop them in their tracks if they oppose it.” Titus 1:6, The Message (gender-neutral language added)

Platt Park Church strives to elect an Elder Board that accurately represents the demographics of the entire congregation. At no time will there be less than two (2) male or two (2) female representatives on a 6-person board. Elder candidates are nominated by the church congregation and are considered based on the qualifications listed in the Elder Qualifications box.

Nomination Process

September of each year – Elder nominations are requested from the church community

October of each year – Current Elder Board reviews and interviews candidates

November of each year – Vetted candidate names are presented at the annual congregational meeting.

November – December 15 – Congregation members may notify the Elder Board of any concerns with a current candidate(s).

January of each year – New Elders are confirmed in front of  the congregation and prayed for by leadership and all Elders (including previously-serving elders).

If you have questions or would like to discuss this role further, please email elders@plattparkchurch.org.