Recommendations for the Offices of Deacon and Elder
SMPC’s Nominating Committee is in the process of identifying potential candidates for new classes of Deacon and Elder, and we would like your input.
Please take a moment to read the qualifications for these two offices on the reverse side. If you would like to recommend the names of any church members for consideration for the office of Deacon or Elder, please fill out the form below. Alternatively, you may email your recommendations to any of the Nominating Committee members, listed below.
Please submit names by Sunday, August 13th, so the Nominating Committee can proceed with its work.
Nominating Committee:
Michael Zagora, co-chair – [email protected]
Adrienne Jaquith, co-chair - [email protected]
Frank Graham - [email protected]
Karen Williams – [email protected]
Sheila McAnally - [email protected]
Daniel Trimmer - [email protected]
David Kinsey - [email protected]
Qualifications of office, according to the PC(USA) Book of Order:
G-2.02 DEACONS: THE MINISTRY OF COMPASSION AND SERVICE
G-2.0201 Deacon Defined
The ministry of deacon as set forth in Scripture is one of compassion, witness, and service, sharing in the redeeming love of Jesus Christ of the poor, the hungry, the sick, the lost, the friendless, the oppressed, those burdened by unjust policies or structures, or anyone in distress. Persons of spiritual character, honest repute, exemplary lives, brotherly and sisterly love, sincere compassion, and sound judgment should be chosen for this ministry.
G-2.03 RULING ELDERS: THE MINISTRY OF DISCERNMENT AND GOVERNANCE
G-2.0301 Ruling Elder Defined
As there were in Old Testament times elders for the government of the people, so the New Testament church provided persons with particular gifts to share in discernment of God’s Spirit and governance of God’s people. Accordingly, congregations should elect persons of wisdom and maturity of faith, having demonstrated skills in leadership and being compassionate in spirit. Ruling elders are so named not because they “lord it over” the congregation (Matt. 20:25), but because they are chosen by the congregation to discern and measure its fidelity to the Word of God, and to strengthen and nurture its faith and life. Ruling elders, together with ministers of the Word and Sacrament, exercise leadership, government, spiritual discernment, and discipline and have responsibilities for the life of a congregation as well as the whole church, including ecumenical relationships. When elected by the congregation, they shall serve faithfully as members of the session.
G-2.04 GENERAL PROVISIONS FOR RULING ELDERS AND DEACONS
G-2.0401 Election of Ruling Elders and Deacons
Ruling elders and deacons are men and women elected by the congregation from among its members. The nomination and election of ruling elders and deacons shall express the rich diversity of the congregation’s membership and shall guarantee participation and inclusiveness (F-1.0403). Ruling elders and deacons shall be nominated by a committee elected by the congregation, drawn from and representative of its membership.