Elders

Elder Roles and Responsibilities:

Per the Branch Constitution and Bylaws, Elders function primarily as discerners and guardians of the Church.  They are not expected to oversee specific projects or ministry areas in their capacity as elders. They function as overseers for the entire Church. Elders do not determine programming. This responsibility falls to the Leadership Team.  However, the Elders are responsible for evaluating programming based on its appropriateness and effectiveness in furthering the overall mission of the Church. The Elders evaluate the effectiveness and direction of the Church according to three criteria:

1. The mission: Following Jesus Day by Day
2. The resources
3. The doctrine: Statement of Faith

Nomination and Election.

A candidate for elder, other than a candidate for Lead Pastor, must have been actively involved in ministry at the Branch Church or another similar church, for at least two years.  A candidate for elder, other than a candidate for Lead Pastor, must have been a partner of the Church for at least 6 months prior to his or her election to office.

Other than the Lead Pastor, no Church staff member may serve as an elder.

An elder may be male or female. Furthermore, in light of the increased expectations imposed upon elders, an elder must be faithful, committed, and self-controlled in whatever context they are in, whether that be as a faithful single person or a loyal spouse.

An elder is required to meet the qualifications for elder/overseer as outlined in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9, except that elders may be male or female.

Here is a trustworthy saying: Whoever aspires to be an overseer desires a noble task. Now the overseer is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him, and he must do so in a manner worthy of full respect. (If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?) He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil. He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap.                                                                                                                                                                                                                1 Timothy 3:1-7

The reason I left you in Crete was that you might put in order what was left unfinished and appoint elders in every town, as I directed you. An elder must be blameless, faithful to his wife, a man whose children believe and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient. Since an overseer manages God’s household, he must be blameless—not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain. Rather, he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined. He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     Titus 1:5-9

Term of Elder. 

Each Elder, other than the Lead Pastor, shall hold office for a period of three (3) years or until his or her successor is elected, appointed, or designated herein, and may serve successive terms.  The Lead Pastor shall be a full voting member of the Board of Elders.

Scheduled Activities: 3-5 hours per month

• Monthly meeting, including reviewing materials
• Partner outreach
• Sunday morning prayer team (when not serving somewhere else on Sunday)
• Other ministries where you choose to serve (encouraged for all Elders)

Occasional Activities:

• New Elder candidate process – 4-5 hours every 12-18 months
• General advisory, responding to specific requests from other Elders (including Senior Pastor) and the church – varies, only when needed
• Potential additional involvement:
  • Staff Liaison – partnering with a specific staff member to support them in their role – anticipate 1-2 hours per month
  • Ministry Liaison – partner with a specific ministry (support, encouragement, sounding board, etc) – anticipate 2-3 hours per month, depending on need