To ensure a uniform and effective Policy solely for the nomination process for Elder selection.
SCOPE:
This Policy shall apply to all members of the Nominating Committee for Elder selection.
PROCEDURE:
- Composition of the Nominating Committee shall be two (2) Session Members and three (3) Congregation Members at large and shall comply with the Book of Order, [G-14.0201b].
- Selection of Congregation Members to the Nominating Committee shall come only from the Congregation (not from the Session).
- The Congregation, Staff and Session may submit names to the Nominating Committee for consideration as Elders.
- No nominee shall be asked if he or she will serve until the Committee has made its final selection decisions.
- Nominees shall be full time residents of the local area.
- A thorough understanding of an Elder’s commitment and responsibilities and a candidate’s ability to meet these requirements, as well as the needs of the Session, shall be at the forefront in the selection process.
- A candidate’s commitment to the Reformed Theology Doctrine shall be part of the selection process.
- Selection of nominees shall not be made by telephone. Selection shall be carried out in a Committee Meeting. Minutes of the meeting shall be recorded stating what names were submitted, the final choices for nomination, and who will contact the candidates.
- Requesting Staff input during the selection process is beneficial in arriving at final choices.
From the Book of Order, G-14.0223 and G-14.0224:
Nominations shall be made by a representative nominating committee of active members of the church. The committee shall itself include both women and men, giving fair representation
to persons of all age groups, of all racial ethnic members, and of persons with disabilities who are members of that congregation. At least two members of this committee shall be elders designated by the session, one of whom shall be currently on the session and serve as moderator of the committee. At least one member of this committee shall be designated by and from the board of deacons, if the church has deacons. Other members of the committee, in sufficient number to constitute a majority thereof (exclusive of the pastor), shall be chosen by the congregation or by such organizations within the church as the congregation may designate, none of whom may be in active service on the session or in active service on the board of deacons. The pastor shall be a member of this committee, serving ex-officio and without vote.
The nominating committee shall be elected by the congregation annually and no member of the committee shall serve more than three years consecutively.
RESPONSIBILITY:
The Nominating Committee shall be responsible for the selection of Elder Nominees with input from the Congregation, Pastor, Staff and Session.
LAST REVIEWED: DECEMBER 2008
