Weekly Reflection: Elders and Deacons
This Sunday, July 26, 2026, we will be taking nominations for elders and deacons. We encourage you to continue to pray and discern who God may be calling to step into these roles at Living Hope Ministries. We will be handing out papers to write down the names of those you will be nominating and collecting those papers on Sunday. A few weeks ago, the message was on Elders and deacons, if you were not there or would like to listen to that message again, here is the link to the message on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/live/erNRaBiNM-A?is=TfA0mpMMw1bmi4Cw (Message starts at about the 43-minute mark of the video). Along with nominating elders and deacons we will ask for members to affirm or reject the document “Elders and Deacons: Definition, Terms, and Process.” This document is what follows:
Living Hope Ministries
“Elders and Deacons: Definition, Terms, and Process”
Elders and Deacons
Elders and deacons are distinct in responsibility, united in purpose, and both are to be led by the Holy Spirit. Elders are charged with spiritual oversight, shepherding, teaching, guarding doctrine, and leading the church in prayer and direction. Deacons are charged with leading the church’s ministry of service, mercy, and practical support. The meaning of the word “deacon” (“servant”) implies that they carry out tasks that are assigned by another. Taken alongside the meaning of the word “overseer” (another term for pastor or elder) from 1 Timothy 3, we can infer that the “servants” (deacons) of God’s house perform the tasks assigned by the “overseers,” (elders) who are charged with the leadership of the church. When Elders and Deacons function in their God given roles, it allows the church to continue to grow and fulfill its God given purpose.
Elders are to be selected from the adult male members of Living Hope Ministries as led by the Holy Spirit and affirmed by the church membership. The qualifications for Elders are contained in 1 Timothy 3:1-7; 5:17-22; Titus 1:5-9; and 1 Peter 5:1-4.
Deacons are to be selected from the members of Living Hope Ministries as led by the Holy Spirit and affirmed by the church membership. The qualifications for Deacons are contained in 1 Timothy 3:8-13. Acts 6:1-6 also likely represents the first group of Deacons in the New Testament church, offering insight into some of the ways that Deacons not only serve, but how, through their service, they can empower others to serve as well.
Terms for serving as elder or deacon.
Elders and deacons will serve 3-year terms (terms will be staggered as best as possible to avoid the majority of terms ending at the same time). At the end of the first 3 years the elder or deacon will pray and discuss with elder team if they feel called to serve another three years. If the elder or deacon does serve another 3-year term, then at the end of the second 3 years they must take a 6-month sabbatical before deciding if they will continue to serve as elder or deacon.
Ordination of elders will follow the process defined by the Rosedale Network of Churches in the “Procedural Steps and in Ordination and Licensure” document (this document can be located under the “Administrative Resources” tab at www.rosedalenetwork.org). Ordained pastors will not serve for terms but will be expected to take at least a 3-month sabbatical every 6 years.
Process for bringing on elders.
The congregation of Living Hope Ministries will be invited to prayer and fasting to discern who God may be calling to serve as elder. The elder team will invite the congregation to submit the name/names of people they feel God may be calling to serve as elder. The elder team will take those names and prayerfully discuss and discern who they feel meet the biblical qualifications and who God is calling to serve. This process will include the elder team meeting with the potential elder to discuss and pray. After this the elder team will present the name/names of the man/men they feel God is calling to serve as elder to the congregation. The congregation will have 2-3 weeks to pray and to take any thoughts, questions, or concerns to the current elder team. If elders continue to feel confident in the name/names of potential elders, there will be a commissioning service where the congregation will affirm and accept them as elder.
Process for bringing on deacons.
The congregation of Living Hope Ministries will be invited to prayer and fasting to discern who God may be calling to serve as deacon. The elder team will invite the congregation to submit the name/names of people they feel God may be calling to serve as deacon. The elder team along with the deacon team will take those names and prayerfully discuss and discern who they feel meet the biblical qualifications and who God is calling to serve. This process will include the elder and deacon teams meeting with potential deacon to discuss and pray. After this the elder team will present the name/names they feel God is calling to serve as deacon to the congregation. The congregation will have 2-3 weeks to pray and to take any thoughts, questions, or concerns to the current elder team. If elders and deacons continue to feel confident in the names of potential deacons, there will be a commissioning service where the congregation will affirm and accept them as deacon.
Living Hope Ministries 