Elders
There are two church offices described in the New Testament: Elders/Pastors and Deacons. Both roles are significant and necessary, yet distinct. Elders (servant leaders) guide and govern the church; Deacons (lead servants) assist the Elders and serve the body. The church needs godly, qualified men occupying both offices in order to be healthy.
Biblical Qualifications of Elders
To achieve the New Testament model of leadership, the Church requires biblically qualified men to serve on the Elder Team. These men must meet the specific moral and spiritual qualifications before they may serve. Selection to serve on the Elder Team will be based on:
• Character - 1 Timothy 3:1-10; Titus 1:6-9
• Calling - Ephesians 4:1-3
• Giftedness - 1 Corinthians 12:12-31
• Function - Romans 12:3-8
• Service to the Church - Ephesians 4:11-16
A man being considered to serve as a Lay Elder must be a Partner of Redemption Church for at least two (2) years. This two-year requirement may be waived for any vocational staff member joining the Elder Team.
Scripture does not list a specific number of Elders, but clearly indicates there shall be a plurality of Elders with the Lead Pastor serving as “first among equals.” A minimum of two Elders should be in place at all times. The Elders will determine the total number of Elders needed beyond the minimum.
Election & Service of Elders
Scripture gives evidence that the first Elders were nominated by the leaders of the church (Acts
14:23). Following this example, the existing spiritual leadership of the Church must be intimately
involved in the process of selecting Elders, ensuring the process is based on spiritual
qualifications.
If the Elder Team determines that additional Elders are necessary, the following process will be followed:
1. The Elder Team will prayerfully identify, train, and prepare Elder candidates for the office of Elder. The team may also receive recommendations for candidates from active Partners.
2. Elder candidates will be recommended to the Church at least 30 days prior to any church meeting called by the Church.
3. Any active Partner who believes a candidate is unqualified for the office of Elder should express such concerns to the Elders.
4. Upon the unanimous recommendation of the Elder Team, candidates shall be appointed by an affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of active Partners present and voting.
Elders may serve indefinitely. After three (3) years of service, Elders will be given a sabbatical for a time of rest and re-evaluation of their life and ministry. Lay Elders will receive three (3) months of unpaid sabbatical, while the Lead Pastor and vocational Elders will receive four (4) weeks of paid sabbatical. At the conclusion of the sabbatical, vocational Elders will resume their ministry role, while lay Elders, in agreement with the Elder team, may decide to either continue or discontinue serving. After a lay Elder has discontinued serving, he may be eligible for re-election to the office of Elder after a minimum of one (1) year.
Learn More
To learn more about the biblical role of Elders and Deacons, read the essay The Organization of the Church by Benjamin Merkle. To learn more about our church governance, read our Church Bylaws.
Current Elders
Redemption is led by a plurality of elders with a Lead Pastor serving as “first among equals.”
