An Elder shall be in full agreement with the Statement of Faith. The Compensated Elder shall be an ordained minister who expresses a desire to further the church’s fellowship with the Conservative Baptist movement.

SECTION 3.
In addition to the traits and qualities listed in 1 Tim. 3:1-7, Titus 1:5-9, the following qualifications are expected of Elders.

• Must not be recent converts. They must have walked with the Lord long enough to demonstrate exceptional spiritual, emotional and psychological maturity in their personal life, family, church and society.
• Must demonstrate knowledge. Since Elders serve as doctrinal protectors for the body, they must have a working knowledge of God’s Word, theology and ministry.
• Must demonstrate wisdom. They must have served in a capacity where their wisdom has been clearly displayed.
• Must demonstrate vision. Since the primary responsibility for the future and direction of the body will be in their hands, Elders must be men with a vision for the future and able to communicate that vision to others.
• Must demonstrate humility. Men who have an active history of contentiousness, difficulty in getting along with others, a critical spirit or hostility shall not be considered as an Elder.
• Must demonstrate possession and practice one or more spiritual gifts. The Elders function will require the use of spiritual gifts.
• Must demonstrate an active prayer and devotional life. One who is to lead others in their personal growth with the Lord must be an example of that growth.

SECTION 4.
At least one Elder (Compensated Elder) should devote his time to the work of the ministry–the oversight of the church and laboring in the Word, in prayer and in teaching. The church will be responsible to give adequate support (employment) to such an Elder as instructed in the Bible.

SECTION 5. General:

An Elder shall preach, teach, and train with the aim of bringing each member to a place of spiritual maturity and fruitfulness, and to cultivate spiritual harmony within the church body.
(Colossians 1:28, 29; II Timothy 2:2)
Specific: Elders:
• Protect the doctrinal beliefs of the church by overseeing the teaching, and training ministries of the church; to tenderly watch over the congregation.
• Assume responsibility for the administration of the church.
-Have supervisory responsibility for every ministry, worker and staff person in the church.
-Direct the following Boards, Committees and ministries and/ or delegate responsibility to Committees, Trustees, and Deacons for everyday oversight.
-Develop and administer church policies as appropriate.
-Responsible to present a yearly budget to the church.
-Shall receive, consider and recommend to the church amendments to the Constitution.
-Provide to the Trustee Board the types and kinds of public assemblies that are permitted on church property or which society or activity may function in the name of the Church.
-Assist the Trustee Board, Committees and ministries as well as any other auxiliary organization, with budgets for the ministries of the church.
-Present to the church for approval support amounts of Missionaries.
• Set an example in Christian living and dedication
• Oversee the Ordinances.
• Assure the proper Biblical implementation of church discipline.
• Assure that the theological basis for all types and kinds of public assemblies on church property or any society or activity functioning in the name of the church is correct.
• Present to the church, for approval, the names of Elders.
• Assure that the church has an active evangelism program.
• Formulate and communicate a clear, Biblical vision for the church.
• Conduct all worship services.
• Provide appropriate counsel and visitation as needed.
• Be involved in personal outreach to the Community.
• Work to restore inactive members to full active status.
• Elders are ex-officio members of all Boards/ Committees and ministries with full voting privileges.

Posted January 20, 2023