Elders and Deacons meet twice monthly, individually and together as council.
For further details, read the denomination’s page on Job Descriptions/Helpful Information and CRC Form for Ordination.
The leadership of the church is comprised of people who are chosen as elders and deacons by the members. Their leadership is seen as a calling by God to serve others in love. Jesus taught us the spirit of true leadership when he said,
“Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave–just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Matt. 20:26-28)
Elders serve by governing the church in Christ’s name. They received this task when Christ entrusted the apostles and their successors with the keys of the kingdom of heaven.
“I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” (Matt. 16:19)
Elders are responsible for the spiritual well-being of the church members. They are responsible to provide true preaching and teaching as well as regular celebration of the sacraments. They also must provide counsel and discipline while keeping confidential those matters entrusted to them. They work to promote fellowship and hospitality among members, ensure good order in the church, and stimulate witness to all people.
Deacons serve by showing mercy to the church and to all people. They received this task in the early church when the apostles designated special persons for the work of mercy (Acts 6; 2 Cor. 8-9). In Christ’s name the deacons offer relief to victims of injustice, showing that Christians live by the Spirit of God’s kingdom, working to be the presence of Christ in this world. The tasks allotted to deacons are to assess needs, promote stewardship and hospitality, collect and disburse resources for benevolence, and develop programs of assistance. They are also called to speak words of Christian encouragement. In this way, by what they say and what they do they demonstrate the care of Jesus himself.
