Elder Ministry
Emmanuel believes strongly in the "priesthood of all believers," the biblical idea that all of us are called and equipped to tend to the spiritual needs of others. We also believe the Scriptures direct churches to elect from their own a group of elders to provide spiritual oversight to the congregation. Individually, elders are responsible to counsel, teach, pray with and for the members of Emmanuel. Collectively, these elders form what Presbyterians call a "Session," which governs a local congregation.
To learn more about the ministry of an elder, please read Qualifications for Elder.
In nominating a candidate for church office at Emmanuel, you are taking an active step in the government and function of our church. We ask you to do this prayerfully.
- Please provide thoughtful input of the qualifications you have personally seen demonstrated by the nominee.
- After nominating a member from our congregation, we ask you keep this confidential.
- Direct any questions or feedback about the process to Scott Seaton.
- You may find it helpful to read 1 Timothy 3:1-7 prior to starting:
1The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. 2Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. 4He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, 5for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God's church? 6He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. 7Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil. (ESV)
(Emmanuel Diaconal Ministry information)
