Officer Nomination Month
The month of May is the time during which nominations are accepted for officer candidates. It is a very important duty that we have as members and leaders to nominate quality men for these offices.
We would ask that you pray diligently and thoughtfully in consideration of the men that you know who meet the criteria for officers laid out in I Timothy 3 and Titus 1.
The month of May is the time during which nominations are accepted for officer candidates. It is a very important duty that we have as members and leaders to nominate quality men for these offices.
We would ask that you pray diligently and thoughtfully in consideration of the men that you know who meet the criteria for officers laid out in I Timothy 3 and Titus 1.
INFORMATION & INSTRUCTIONS
A Short Overview of the Biblical Roles and Responsibilities of Elders and Deacons:
Christ has gloriously designed the leadership infrastructure of the Body of Christ to include Pastors (Eph 4:11–16), Elders (ITim. 3:1–7 & Titus 1:5-9) and Deacons (Acts 6:1–7 & I Tim. 3:8–13) in the local church.
The Bible calls the members of the church to “select from among themselves” those leaders whom God has called, gifted, and affirmed. Therefore, each year the Briarwood membership and existing leadership engages in this process of nomination, training, examination, election, ordination and installation.
Please take a few moments to finish reading this information intended to guide and assist you in this process.
The Bible calls the members of the church to “select from among themselves” those leaders whom God has called, gifted, and affirmed. Therefore, each year the Briarwood membership and existing leadership engages in this process of nomination, training, examination, election, ordination and installation.
Please take a few moments to finish reading this information intended to guide and assist you in this process.
I Timothy 3:1–13
Review the following passage on the qualifications for officers to help you as you make your nominations.
The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. (2) Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, (3) not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. (4) He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, (5) for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God’s church? (6) He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. (7) Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil. (8) Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain. (9) They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. (10) And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless. (11) Their wives likewise must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things. (12) Let deacons each be the husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households well. (13) For those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.
The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. (2) Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, (3) not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. (4) He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, (5) for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God’s church? (6) He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. (7) Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil. (8) Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain. (9) They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. (10) And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless. (11) Their wives likewise must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things. (12) Let deacons each be the husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households well. (13) For those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.
Frequently Asked Questions:
1. Why is it important for me to participate in nominating someone since I don’t know everyone?
As a member of Briarwood you are aware by observation and experience whether someone meets the biblical qualifications and whether they would serve the Lord well in His Church. Carefully reading the qualifications for Elder and Deacon in I Timothy 3 and prayerfully considering those men whom you know will allow you to participate in the process of our church electing those called to serve the Lord in the high honor of ordained leadership.
2. How do I nominate someone?
• Fill out and return the Nominations Form below NO LATER THAN May 31.
• Please do not ask a candidate beforehand for permission to submit his name. He will be notified later in the summer if he has been approved as a candidate.
3. What happens when I nominate someone?
All nominations go through a process which includes prayerful consideration by the Nominations Committee as well as the Session and Diaconate to insure they are qualified. Qualified men will be informed of their nomination and invited to an orientation meeting in July to hear about the responsibilities of Elders and Deacons. They then are given time to prayerfully consider whether they want to be candidates for leadership. Candidates will attend the Officer Candidate training sessions beginning in August. Upon Sessional approval they are presented to the congregation for a vote in December. To serve, a candidate must receive a majority vote of those present and voting.
• If you do not know the individual well enough to give information when needed, don’t nominate him. You do not need to know conclusively if he is qualified. (There is a screening process the Nominations Committee applies to determine this which includes such things as membership status, length of membership, church involvement, etc.)
4. Who is eligible to be nominated?
According to the Scripture, any man who is called and gifted by the Holy Spirit, qualified by God’s grace and the affirmation of the church leadership and elected by the church membership. While the ordained offices of Elder and Deacon are to be occupied by recognized and qualified men, all of the Elder directed leadership ministry teams at Briarwood are designed to include both male and female leaders.
5. Why should I prayerfully consider aspiring to the office of Elder or Deacon?
Because God has given gifts of leadership to His people and He calls us not to “bury our talents” but to use them for His glory. There is no greater privilege outside the family to serve the Lord than the ordained leadership of the church–The Bride of Christ–to care for her as good stewards of the Gospel.
6. Do I have to serve as a Deacon before serving as an Elder?
Serving as a Deacon before serving as an Elder is not required. It is a sacred privilege to serve as an Elder or Deacon. One should serve in light of his gifts and calling as each office requires different passions and gifts. Because Spiritual gifts and callings change we have seen Deacons who later become Elders as well as Elders who later become Deacons.
7. How long would I serve as an Elder or Deacon if elected?
The ordination of Elder and Deacon is for life, however at Briarwood we elect Elders and Deacons to serve 3-year terms. We then allow Elders and Deacons to take a one year sabbatical before standing for election for another 3-year term.
As a member of Briarwood you are aware by observation and experience whether someone meets the biblical qualifications and whether they would serve the Lord well in His Church. Carefully reading the qualifications for Elder and Deacon in I Timothy 3 and prayerfully considering those men whom you know will allow you to participate in the process of our church electing those called to serve the Lord in the high honor of ordained leadership.
2. How do I nominate someone?
• Fill out and return the Nominations Form below NO LATER THAN May 31.
• Please do not ask a candidate beforehand for permission to submit his name. He will be notified later in the summer if he has been approved as a candidate.
3. What happens when I nominate someone?
All nominations go through a process which includes prayerful consideration by the Nominations Committee as well as the Session and Diaconate to insure they are qualified. Qualified men will be informed of their nomination and invited to an orientation meeting in July to hear about the responsibilities of Elders and Deacons. They then are given time to prayerfully consider whether they want to be candidates for leadership. Candidates will attend the Officer Candidate training sessions beginning in August. Upon Sessional approval they are presented to the congregation for a vote in December. To serve, a candidate must receive a majority vote of those present and voting.
• If you do not know the individual well enough to give information when needed, don’t nominate him. You do not need to know conclusively if he is qualified. (There is a screening process the Nominations Committee applies to determine this which includes such things as membership status, length of membership, church involvement, etc.)
4. Who is eligible to be nominated?
According to the Scripture, any man who is called and gifted by the Holy Spirit, qualified by God’s grace and the affirmation of the church leadership and elected by the church membership. While the ordained offices of Elder and Deacon are to be occupied by recognized and qualified men, all of the Elder directed leadership ministry teams at Briarwood are designed to include both male and female leaders.
5. Why should I prayerfully consider aspiring to the office of Elder or Deacon?
Because God has given gifts of leadership to His people and He calls us not to “bury our talents” but to use them for His glory. There is no greater privilege outside the family to serve the Lord than the ordained leadership of the church–The Bride of Christ–to care for her as good stewards of the Gospel.
6. Do I have to serve as a Deacon before serving as an Elder?
Serving as a Deacon before serving as an Elder is not required. It is a sacred privilege to serve as an Elder or Deacon. One should serve in light of his gifts and calling as each office requires different passions and gifts. Because Spiritual gifts and callings change we have seen Deacons who later become Elders as well as Elders who later become Deacons.
7. How long would I serve as an Elder or Deacon if elected?
The ordination of Elder and Deacon is for life, however at Briarwood we elect Elders and Deacons to serve 3-year terms. We then allow Elders and Deacons to take a one year sabbatical before standing for election for another 3-year term.