The document provides an overview of the role and responsibilities of the nominating committee in the Presbyterian Church (USA), highlighting the election process for ruling elders and deacons, as well as the qualifications required for these spiritual leaders. It emphasizes the importance of inclusiveness and the spiritual calling of individuals to serve in leadership positions, rather than simply filling positions of power. Additionally, the document outlines the distinct roles of deacons and elders, stressing their commitment to serve the congregation and community with compassion and spiritual maturity.

1. 2014 Nominating Committee Initial Briefing
Updated with citations from the
2013-2015 Edition Book of Order
of the Presbyterian Church (USA)
Prepared by Rev. Geoffrey J. McLean, Pastor

2. What is the Nominating Committee
 Ruling elders and deacons are men and women elected by the congregation
from among its members. The nomination and election of ruling elders and
deacons shall express the rich diversity of the congregation’s membership
and shall guarantee participation and inclusiveness (F-1.0403). Ruling
elders and deacons shall be nominated by a committee elected by the
congregation, drawn from and representative of its membership.
 Congregations may provide by their own rule for a congregational
nominating committee, provided that the committee shall consist of at
least three active members of the congregation, and shall include at least
one ruling elder who is currently serving on the session.
 The pastor shall serve ex officio and without vote.
 When elections are held, full opportunity shall always be given to the
congregation for nomination from the floor of the congregational meeting
by any active member of the congregation. A majority of all the active
members present and voting shall be required to elect.

3. What are we doing?
5 Ruling Elders
 Bill Gilchrist (1 term)
 Mark Murphy (1 term)
 Atai Nyambi (1 term)
 Nancy Jones (1 term)
4 Deacons
 Kathy Thomas (2 terms)
 Gail Harvey (1 term)
 Jill Westeyn (1 term)
2 Nominating Committee Members At Large
Preparing a slate of officers and nominating
committee members for the Session and the
Congregation to approve.

4. What are we not doing?
We are NOT deciding the future direction of the Church
We are NOT filling spots
We are NOT controlling Power
We are NOT trying to answer the question:
“Who will take the job?”
rather we are looking to answer the question
“Who is God calling to serve in this office?”

5. What is an Elder
The office of Elder is the oldest active office in the
church. As the Apostles founded new churches they
appointed Elders to lead the church.
In the Old Testament they were wise old men
appointed to rule over the city
In the New Testament it is used to describe Jewish
leaders.

6. An Elder Today Is Called To….
Encourage the congregation in the worship of God.
Equip the church for Mission in the World.
Comfort and Care for the sick with special care for
the poor and oppressed.
Actively serve the higher level governing bodies of the
church

7. From Selected to Serve
In the local church, the session- with the
exception of certain rights and privileges granted
to the congregation and the pastor- has virtual
oversight of all spiritual, educational and
practical activities of the church. (Pg 7)
From Spiritual Leadership For Church Leaders
“Yet Elders and Deacons if present, are
still the backbone of any Presbyterian
church, and few churches rise far above
the level of leadership of their lay leaders”
pg ix

8. A Spiritual Leader leads others
to seek and do God’s will.
From Spiritual Leadership for
Church Officers
God does not call the qualified;
God qualifies the called.
• What is a Spiritual Leader?

9. The Session Is Not…
A training ground for new members or new
Christians, for gossips or people who want to control
others; elders must be those who are spiritually and
psychologically mature and are more concerned for
the health of the church and the work of God’s
kingdom then they are for their own positions or
reputations.

10. An Elder Must Be…
G-2.0301 Ruling Elder Defined
As there were in Old Testament times elders for the government of
the people, so the New Testament church provided persons with
particular gifts to sharing in discernment of God’s Spirit and governance
of God’s people. Accordingly, congregations should elect persons of
wisdom and maturity of faith, having demonstrated skills in leadership
and being compassionate in spirit. Ruling elders are so named not
because they “lord it over” the congregation (Matt. 20:25), but because
they are chosen by the congregation to discern and measure its fidelity
to the Word of God, and to strengthen and nurture its faith and life.
Ruling elders, together with teaching elders, exercise leadership,
government, spiritual discernment, and discipline and have
responsibilities for the life of a congregation as well as the whole church,
including ecumenical relationships. When elected by the congregation,
they shall serve faithfully as members of the session. When elected as
commissioners to higher councils, ruling elders participate and vote with
the same authority as teaching elders, and they are eligible for any office.

11. Gifts and Requirements
Book of Order G-2.0104
a. To those called to exercise special functions in the
church—deacons, ruling elders, and teaching elders—God
gives suitable gifts for their various duties. In addition to
possessing the necessary gifts and abilities, those who
undertake particular ministries should be persons of
strong faith, dedicated discipleship, and love of Jesus
Christ as Savior and Lord. Their manner of life should be a
demonstration of the Christian gospel in the church and
in the world. They must have the approval of God’s people
and the concurring judgment of a council of the church.

12. b. Standards for ordained service reflect the church’s
desire to submit joyfully to the Lordship of Jesus Christ
in all aspects of life (F-1.02). The council responsible for
ordination and/or installation (G.2.0402; G-2.0607; G-
3.0306) shall examine each candidate’s calling, gifts,
preparation, and suitability for the responsibilities of
ordered ministry. The examination shall include, but not
be limited to, a determination of the candidate’s ability
and commitment to fulfill all requirements as expressed
in the constitutional questions for ordination and
installation (W-4.4003). Councils shall be guided by
Scripture and the confessions in applying standards to
individual candidates.

13. Discussion Question on Elders
What kind of personal and spiritual
characteristics do you think members should
have before they are chosen to be elders?

14. Deacons
The title deacon come from a word with roots in
Greek history, diakoneo. In its most basic from it can
mean “to serve,” “to wait on table,” “to be slave.”
It is this concept that the early church adopted to
describe the function of the compassionate, caring
arm of Christian mission.

15. The Duties of a Deacon
G-2.0201 Deacon Defined
The ministry of deacon as set forth in Scripture is
one of compassion, witness, and service, sharing
in the redeeming love of Jesus Christ for the poor,
the hungry, the sick, the lost, the friendless, the
oppressed, those burdened by unjust policies or
structures, or anyone in distressed. Persons of
spiritual character, honest repute, exemplary lives,
brotherly and sisterly love, sincere compassion,
and sound judgment should be chosen for this
ministry.

16. Supervised by Session
G-2.0202 Under Authority of the Session
Deacons may be individually commissioned or organized as a board of
deacons. In either case, their ministry is under the supervision and
authority of the session. Deacons may also be given special
assignments in the congregation, such as caring for members in need,
handling educational tasks, cultivating liberality in giving, collecting
and disbursing monies to specific persons or causes, or overseeing the
buildings and property of the congregation. Deacons shall assume
other duties as may be delegated to them by the session, including
assisting with the Lord’s Supper. (W-3.3616).
A congregation by a majority vote may choose not to utilize the
ordered ministry of deacons. If the congregation has neither a board
of deacons nor individually commissioned deacons, the function of
this ordered ministry shall be the responsibility of the ruling elders
and the session.

17. Gifts and Requirements
Book of Order G-2.0104
a. To those called to exercise special functions in the
church—deacons, ruling elders, and teaching elders—God
gives suitable gifts for their various duties. In addition to
possessing the necessary gifts and abilities, those who
undertake particular ministries should be persons of
strong faith, dedicated discipleship, and love of Jesus
Christ as Savior and Lord. Their manner of life should be a
demonstration of the Christian gospel in the church and
in the world. They must have the approval of God’s people
and the concurring judgment of a council of the church.

18. b. Standards for ordained service reflect the church’s
desire to submit joyfully to the Lordship of Jesus Christ
in all aspects of life (F-1.02). The council responsible for
ordination and/or installation (G.2.0402; G-2.0607; G-
3.0306) shall examine each candidate’s calling, gifts,
preparation, and suitability for the responsibilities of
ordered ministry. The examination shall include, but not
be limited to, a determination of the candidate’s ability
and commitment to fulfill all requirements as expressed
in the constitutional questions for ordination and
installation (W-4.4003). Councils shall be guided by
Scripture and the confessions in applying standards to
individual candidates.

19. From Selected to Serve
Deacons perform a very necessary function in the
Presbyterian Church and represent the heart of
what it means to be a Christian

20. Discussion Question on Deacons
What does it mean to call the Deacons “the caring
arm of the church?”

21. Christ Presbyterian Church
12410 Lee Jackson Memorial Highway
Fairfax, Virginia 22033
www.cpcfairfax.org
For more information on Christ Presbyterian Church or this presentation please email
Pastor Geoff McLean at pastor@cpcfairfax.org or visit his blog at www.pastor.cpcfairfax.org
Works Cited:
Spiritual Leadership for Church Leaders
Written By: Joan S. Gray
Copyright 2009
Geneva Press, Louisville, KY
ISBN-13: 978-0-664-50305-5
Selected To Serve, A Guide for Church Officers
Written By: Earl S. Johnson, Jr.
Copyright 2000
Geneva Press, Louisville, KY
ISBN-10: 0-664-50165-6
The Constitution of the Presbyterian Church (USA) Part II
The Book of Order 2011-2013
Published by the Office of the General Assembly
100 Witherspoon Street
Louisville, KY 40202-1396