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MOVING FROM 1 GOVERNING BODY TO 2 GOVERNING BODIES THE PROPOSED CHANGE ELDERS THE CHURCH COUNCIL CONGREGATION PASTOR / BOARD CONGREGATION

KEYS FOR EFFECTIVE GOVERNANCE 1.CALLING 2.CHARACTER 3.COMMUNICATION 4.CLEAR ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES BIBLICAL GOVERNANCE

ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES ELDERSTHE CHURCH COUNCIL Pastoral Oversight Minister to Spiritual Needs Shepherd the Flock Give Account for Souls Practical Service Minister to Operational Needs Serve the Flock Give Account for Stewardship Doctrine Discipleship Direction Discipline Service To the church family To the surrounding community To support missionaries Stewardship Financial Facilities Polices, Procedures, & Practices FOCUS RESPONSIBILITIES

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SO WHAT’S NEXT? THE AFFIRMATION PROCESS

So what exactly does it mean to “affirm?” affirm verb af·firm \ə-ˈfərm\ 1 a : VALIDATE, CONFIRM b : to state positively 2 : to assert (as a judgment or decree) as valid or confirmed 3 : to express dedication to to say that something is true in a confident way

WHEN WE AFFIRM OUR LEADERS... We say that the following is true: CALLED 1.That they are CALLED to serve QUALIFIED 2.That they are QUALIFIED to serve SUPPORTED 3.That they are SUPPORTED to serve

But is it biblical?

AFFIRMING CHURCH LEADERS Formal affirmation of leaders is a means to: 1.“See them” or “know them” (1Thess. 5:12)

AFFIRMING CHURCH LEADERS Formal affirmation of leaders is a means to: 1.“See them” or “know them” (1Thess. 5:12) 2.Acknowledge they are qualified (Acts 6:3-5)

AFFIRMING CHURCH LEADERS Formal affirmation of leaders is a means to: 1.“See them” or “know them” (1Thess. 5:12) 2.Acknowledge they are qualified (Acts 6:3-5) 3.Count them worthy of honor (1Tim. 5:17)

AFFIRMING CHURCH LEADERS Formal affirmation of leaders is a means to: 1.“See them” or “know them” (1Thess. 5:12) 2.Acknowledge they are qualified (Acts 6:3-5) 3.Count them worthy of honor (1Tim. 5:17) 4.Yield authority to them, so they shepherd with joy (Heb. 3:17)

A BENEFICIAL PRACTICE Regular affirmation of those in leadership: 1.Reinforces that church members have a responsibility for the overall testimony of their fellowship 2.Safeguards against leaders who go astray in doctrine or life. 3.Strengthens church governance through the consent of those governed.

HOW WILL IT WORK? LATE NOVEMBER / EARLY DECEMBER NOMINATING COMMITTEE MEETS Elder, Tim, Pam 3 Church Members RECOMMENDATION FORMED Elders who terms are up Clerk Treasurer Associate Treasurer JANUARY MEMBERS MEETING RECOMMENDATION MADE TO THE CHURCH Members invited to nominate other candidates Members asked to accept recommendation CURRENT

HOW WILL IT WORK? EARLY NOVEMBER INITIATION Church formally asked to prepare to affirm those in leadership The Elders The Church Council New candidates recommended to serve NOVEMBER DECEMBER FAMILIARIZATION Members ensure they know their leaders EXAMINATION Questions / Concerns raised and addressed Directly if possible (Matt. 18) Indirectly as necessary Carefully (1Tim. 5:19) JANUARY MEMBERS MEETING AFFIRMATION Members formally affirm their support of those serving as elders and those serving on the Church Council PROPOSED

HOW WILL IT WORK? OCTOBER RECOMMENDATION Nominating Committee has met 2 Elders Clerk Treasurer Assoc. Treasurer NOVEMBER DECEMBER INITITATION Nov. 8 Equipping Hour & Letter from Tim FAMILIARIZATION Members ensure they know their leaders EXAMINATION Questions / Concerns raised and addressed JANUARY MEMBERS MEETING AFFIRMATION 3 Motions for Members to Accept and Affirm: 1.Nominating Committee recommendations 2.Proposed changes to the governance structure 3.The current board in their roles under the new governance structure TRANSITION YEAR

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