ARTICLE VI. OFFICERS, STAFF AND ADMINISTRATION

Section 1 – Elders

The elders shall be comprised of not less than three men who satisfy the qualifications for the office of elder set forth in I Timothy 3:1–7 and Titus 1:6–9. No more than half of the men serving in active eldership may be on the regular payroll of the church, and no elder shall hold the office of deacon during his tenure. 

The church shall recognize men gifted and willing to serve in this calling, in accordance with the constitutional provisions on elections. These men shall be received as gifts of Christ to His church and set apart as elders. The church shall reaffirm this recognition triennially. 

Subject to the will of the congregation, the elders shall oversee the ministry and resources of the church. In keeping with the principles set forth in Acts 6:1–6 and I Peter 5:1–4, the elders shall devote their time to prayer, the ministry of the Word (by teaching and encouraging sound doctrine), and shepherding God’s flock. 

The elders shall take particular responsibility to examine and instruct prospective members, examine and recommend all prospective candidates for offices and positions, oversee the work of the deacons and appointed church agents and committees, conduct worship services, administer the ordinances of baptism and communion, equip the membership for the work of the ministry, encourage sound doctrine and practice, admonish and correct error, oversee the process of church discipline, coordinate and promote the ministries of the church, and mobilize the church for world missions. Furthermore, the elders are to ensure that all who minister the Word to the congregation, including outside speakers, share our fundamental convictions. 

The elders may establish ministry positions or committees to assist them in fulfilling their responsibilities. The elders may also propose funding for new paid staff positions. The membership shall approve all candidates to fill the positions of lead pastor and associate pastor. 

The elders shall have primary responsibility for the employment, supervision, and evaluation of staff members. This responsibility may, on a case-by-case basis, be delegated to another staff member or the Personnel Team. 

The elders shall elect a chairman to preside over all elders’ meetings and shall also elect one of their number to serve as moderator of Members’ Meetings. 

Each year the elders shall present to the church an annual, itemized budget at a special or regular Members’ Meeting. This budget shall be presented for discussion at that time and called up for a vote at the following Members’ Meeting. No money shall be solicited by or on behalf of the church or any of its ministries without the approval of the elders. 

The elders will seek, at all times, to work together in unanimous agreement concerning the vision and work of the church. Issues will only be brought to the congregation for consideration when all elders are in agreement. 

An elder's term of office may be terminated by resignation or by dismissal. Any two members with reason to believe that an elder should be dismissed should express such concern to the elders. Any such action shall be done in accordance with the instructions of our Lord in Matthew 18:15–17 and I Timothy 5:17– 21. At the request of the elders, a written request will be presented at a Members’ Meeting and will be voted on in a subsequent Members’ Meeting. Dismissal of an elder requires a three-fourths vote of the members at a Members’ Meeting. 

In the event that FBCnl has less than the minimum three elders required by the Constitution (Article VI, Section 1), the standing elder(s) may choose interim elders, made up of deacons and/or qualified men of the membership, to assist in elder functions until additional elders are appointed. During the provisional period, the team may be majority staff. These potential interim elders will be presented to the church for a three-fourths majority vote of active members. 

The interim elders will function as elders including voting and decision-making rights. No actions will be taken without unanimous agreement. 

These men will not assume the role of a permanent elder unless recommended by the standing elder(s), having met the criteria laid out in Article VI, Section 1 and elected by the active members (Article VII). 

Interim elders will be reaffirmed every six months, as necessary, by a three-fourths majority vote of the active members. 

The interim elders’ role and responsibilities will cease once a minimum of three elders is appointed.