Officer Nominations

Process for Becoming an Officer

Nomination

During the month of March, members submit nominations for elders and deacons. These officers will be nominated to serve New Creation in their respective roles as elders and deacons. The office of elder and deacon are open to men who are members of New Creation.

Initial Evaluation

During the month of April, the pastor and elders perform a preliminary evaluation of those who have received a minimum of four independent nominations. We will seek to discern if the nominees meet the five qualifications of calling, character, competency, compatibility and comprehension. If the Session believes a nominee is ready to proceed, then he will become a candidate and his candidacy will be announced to the church.

Candidacy

From May through September, candidates will undergo training and examination. Training includes participating in meetings with the present leadership, beginning to do the work of the respective position under the oversight of an elder, and growing in the ability to lead and serve the body. Examination will include interviews with the candidate and (if married) his spouse, and evaluations on Scripture, theology, and The Book of Church Order.

Election

If a candidate has satisfactorily completed the examination and training, the Session recommends him to the church for election to the role of elder or deacon during the annual congregational meeting in next Fall. Candidates who are elected by the church begin their three to four year term of service upon installation in October.

At the conclusion of a term, an officer may choose to serve an unlimited number of terms; he must be re-examined and recommended to the church, then reelected by the congregation. If a leader’s term concludes and he is not reelected, he will cease to be an active elder or deacon at that time.

Catgories of Qualification

Calling

A nominee should possess both an inward and outward calling. The inward calling is manifest by a nominee’s own desire to serve the church, as well as a belief that he has the gifts necessary to serve in the desired position. The outward calling comes as others in our community recognize a nominee as possessing the gifts and graces necessary for the task.

Character

Though no leader can expect to be perfect, he must be exemplary, modeling in a consistent way the character of Christ and displaying the fruit of the Spirit. Romans 16:1 and 3, 1 Timothy 3, and Galatians 5:22-26 offer a useful summary of the character qualifications for elders and deacons.

Competency

God calls elders and deacons to serve in distinct and varying ways. A nominee should demonstrate the inclination and ability to fulfill that particular biblical role.

Elders Responsibilities:

Watch diligently over the flock, that no corruption of doctrine or of morals enter in
Exercise government and discipline, and take oversight not only of the spiritual interests of the

church, but also the Church generally

Visit the people at their homes, especially the sick.
Instruct the uneducated, comfort the mourner, nourish and guard the children of the Church.
Set a worthy example to the flock with a zeal to evangelize the unconverted, make disciples, and demonstrate hospitality.
Pray with and for the people, being careful and diligent in seeking the fruit of the preached Word among the flock.

Deacons Responsibilities:

Minister to those who are in need, to the sick, to the friendless, and to any who may be in distress.
Develop the grace of generosity in the members of the church and help to distribute these gifts among the objects to which they are contributed.
Care for the property of the congregation, and shall keep in proper repair the church edifice and other buildings belonging to the congregation.

Officer nominees should be of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom.

Compatibility

Nominees should be team players who wholeheartedly embrace the vision and ministry philosophy of New Creation. This should already be evident through regular worship, church life participation, sacrificial giving, and service to the congregation.

Comprehension

Nominees need to understand and accept New Creation’s convictions about theology, worship, sacraments, and church government. This involves commitment to the Bible’s authority, to Presbyterian Church government, and to the Westminster Confession of Faith and Catechisms (we are looking for people who are in agreement with the key tenets of our theology, and we are open to variations on minor issues).