ELDERS AT EDGE CITY CHURCH

  • The elders (both elected and lead pastors) have the responsibility of shepherding the flock of Edge City Church. The duty is to oversee the spiritual growth of the members and cultural health among its leadership and congregation. Elders work collectively to discern the move and lead of the Lord in matters of church direction and leadership. Members of the elder board are equal in position and voice, therefore, when decisions are needed their collective voices will be counted as God’s leading for the church.

  • (Excerpts rom Edge City Church Bylaws sections 2 & 3)

    Section. 2 – Elders

    A. The Elders, on behalf of the congregation, shall ensure the church discerns and pursues its mission and purpose.

    B. The Elders shall consist of (6) six lay church members affirmed by the members of the church may increase/decrease numerically to meet the size and spiritual needs of the congregation.

    C. Elders shall be nominated by the Elder Board and duly elected by the congregation in accordance with the qualifications described in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9.

    D. Elders shall be affirmed for three-year terms. Elders may serve up to six (6) consecutive years if so affirmed, after which they must take a year off before they are again eligible to be affirmed as Elder.

    E. The Elders shall meet monthly, or more often as it deems necessary; a simple majority of the voting members of the Elder Board shall constitute a quorum and a simple majority is required to pass a motion.

    F. An Elder may be removed from office: 1) by a three-quarters (3/4) majority vote of the other Elders and, 2) by a three-quarters (3/4) majority vote by members voting at any congregational meeting of the church. An Elder, though a member of the Elder Board and congregation may not vote regarding his own removal from office.

  • Section 3 Elder Board

    The Elder Board, led by the Senior Pastor, is responsible for leading the church in all matters of direction, doctrine, and discipline. The Elder Board is responsible to oversee and evaluate the direction of all ministries and stewardship of the church. The Elder Board may establish Team(s) to assist them in any of their duties as various needs arise. They may appoint qualified individuals to Teams as they deem fit.

  • How were the nominees prepared to be elected for this position?

    1. In 2022 the church foresaw the need for more elders to help govern and guide the church. When the timing was right, we announced all members of good standing to discern a calling to serve as future elders of Edge City Church.

    2. Months later, almost a dozen candidates agreed to discern the call together during the two year process of training.

    3. The group met monthly to study the biblical mandate, theology, and engage in a practicum.

      A. They studied The Shepherd Leader: Achieving Effective Shepherding in Your Church, by Timothy Witmer

      Part 1: Biblical and Historical Foundations
      Part 2: A Comprehensive Matrix for Ministry
      Part 3: Putting It All Together
      This study helped confirm their individual calling and character for serving in the office of elders at Edge City Church.

      B. The group also studied the Ten Theological Convictions of EFCA

      1. God
      2. Bible
      3. The Human Condition
      4. Jesus Christ
      5. The Work of Christ
      6. The Holy Spirit
      7. The Church
      8. Christian Living
      9. Christ’s Return
      10. Response and Eternal Destiny

      C. Practicum
      1. Case studies of real situations in church
      2. Learned biblical principles of making shepherding decisions

    4. After twelve months of meeting together, various people recused themselves from the process due to timing, unreadiness, and other reasons. In the end there were three candidates who completed the process.

    5. At the January 2024 congregational meeting, the church announced the three nominees for eldership who satisfied qualifications for eldership at Edge City Church. They were accepted, approved, and voted in by the Elder Board.

    1. April 2024 will be the month in which the nominees will be introduced to various congregations at Edge City for meet and greets.

    2. We will be introducing the nominees in person, through video and social media, and during fellowship time with the church.

    3. On Sunday May 5, 2pm at the Little Neck campus, the church will call a special congregation meeting for the specific agenda of electing nominees as Elders of Edge City Church. All members are strongly encouraged to attend. Note, proxy voting is not allowed.

    4. If the congregation discerns the leading of our Lord via approving the election, the plan is to have a special ordination service for the elders-elect on Sunday May 19.