February 26, 2019
Dear Communing Member,
As a member of Uptown Church, you have the privilege and responsibility to nominate and elect the elders and deacons who will lead you. Below are two passages describing the qualifications of elder and deacon.
In short, an elder is to be a shepherd for the congregation by giving spiritual care to the people and direction for the church. Moreover, an elder must be able to teach and defend sound doctrine. The deacon is to assist the elders with the “physical” ministries of the church. Usually, these consist of mercy ministry to people in need, care for finances, and oversight of the building.
We will accept nominations from any member between February 26 and March 29, 2020. After that, each nominee will go through a ten-week training course after which they will be examined for biblical knowledge and Christian character by the current elders. After this, the elders will present names for election. As a member, you will vote for those you wish to serve as elder and deacon.
Besides the qualifications given below, the only other requirements are that the nominees be a member of Uptown Church.
Biblical Qualifications for Elder
I Timothy 3:1-7 Here is a trustworthy saying: If anyone sets his heart on being an overseer, he desires a noble task. Now the overseer must be above reproach, the husband of but one 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 with proper 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.
Titus 1:6-9 An elder must be blameless, the husband of but one wife, a man whose children believe and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient. Since an overseer is entrusted with God's work, 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.
Biblical Qualifications for Deacon
I Timothy 3:8-13 Deacons, likewise, are to be men worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain. They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience. They must first be tested; and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons. In the same way, their wives are to be women worthy of respect, not malicious talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything. A deacon must be the husband of but one wife and must manage his children and his household well. Those who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus.
We encourage you to please prayerfully consider who you would like to nominate. Nomination slips can be dropped in the offering plate during Sunday morning worship or you can submit your nominations in this google form. If you have any questions about this process, feel free to contact either your elder or one of the pastors.
Sincerely,
The Uptown Session
