Elder's Role According to Scripture:
1 Timothy 3:8 - Sincere, Respectable, Temperate, Not given to drunkenness
1 Timothy 3:9 - Blameless, Above Reproach, Honest
1 Timothy 3:12 - Faithful to his or her spouse, Loves his or her family well
What Do Elders Do?
The biblical role of Elders is to provide organizational governance and spiritual oversight for the congregation. Session is governed first by the Evangelical Presbyterian Church Book of Government, followed by the bylaws of Trinity EPC. An Elder’s responsibilities include serving communion, prayer or scripture reading at services, representing the congregation at Presbytery or General Assembly, and partnering with the pastor and staff to carry forward the vision and mission of the church.
Collectively known as Session, Ruling Elders serve an incredibly important role at Trinity Church. We are blessed to have faith-filled leaders who carry forward Trinity’s mission and vision to help people come alive with Jesus, grow with Jesus, and change the world with Jesus.
Collectively known as Session, Ruling Elders serve an incredibly important role at Trinity Church. We are blessed to have faith-filled leaders who carry forward Trinity’s mission and vision to help people come alive with Jesus, grow with Jesus, and change the world with Jesus.
Terms of Service
Ruling Elders serve for three-year terms. They are eligible to serve for a second three-year term, although it is not required. Session normally meets on the third Tuesday of the month, at 6:30 p.m.
Who Can Be An Elder at Trinity?
Any member of Trinity Church is eligible for nomination within the congregation. In accordance with Scripture, the EPC Book of Order sums up the biblical qualifications as follows: “Those who fill this office ought to be blameless in life and sound in the faith; they should be men of wisdom and discretion; and by the holiness of their walk and conversations should be examples to the flock.” (1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9; Acts 20:17-38; 1 Timothy 5:17.)
Can Women Serve as Elders at Trinity?
Yes, women can and do serve as Elders. The Evangelical Presbyterian Church believes that the issue of ordination of women is not an essential of faith and leaves the decision to the Spirit-guided consciences of local churches. Women have served faithfully as deacons and ministry leaders at Trinity for decades. In 2021, session made the decision to include and call women as Ruling Elders following Scripture and the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
How Are Elders Nominated & Elected?
The Nominating Committee consists of at least seven persons who are elected by the congregation. They receive nominations from the congregation and prepare a slate of candidates eligible for election at the next Annual Meeting.
Scriptural Support
1 Timothy 3:1-13
The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God's church? ...
Acts 20:28
Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood.
Titus 1:6-9
If anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife, and his children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination. For an overseer, as God's steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so…
1 Peter 4:7-11
The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
Acts 2:42
And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.
1 Timothy 5:17
Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching.
1 Corinthians 12:28
And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues.
Titus 1:1-16
Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the sake of the faith of God's elect and their knowledge of the truth, which accords with godliness, in hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began and at the proper time manifested in his word through the preaching with which I have been entrusted by the command of God our Savior; To Titus, my true child in a common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior. This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you— ...
The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God's church? ...
Acts 20:28
Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood.
Titus 1:6-9
If anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife, and his children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination. For an overseer, as God's steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so…
1 Peter 4:7-11
The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
Acts 2:42
And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.
1 Timothy 5:17
Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching.
1 Corinthians 12:28
And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues.
Titus 1:1-16
Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the sake of the faith of God's elect and their knowledge of the truth, which accords with godliness, in hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began and at the proper time manifested in his word through the preaching with which I have been entrusted by the command of God our Savior; To Titus, my true child in a common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior. This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you— ...
Nominating Calendar
- November | Open call for nominations among active members
- January | Candidates reviewed and prayerfully considered for call
- February-March | Nominating Committee extends invitation to accept call
- June| Election of Elders and Deacons at the annual Congregational Meeting
- August | Elder Training – plan on two sessions, usually scheduled in the evening.
- September | Ordination and Installation – takes place during Sunday morning service.