Nominations are now closed.
Christ through His Spirit calls all His people into the good work of confessing the forgiveness and resurrection offered in the gospel, nurturing the Church, and bearing fruit in the world. At Trinity, these various forms of ministry take place through many avenues—leadership teams, ministry teams, pastoral and church staff, parish teams, small groups, families, and individuals.
We have entrusted oversight of our common spiritual life and leadership of our works of mercy and justice to church officers called Elders and Deacons, as established in scripture and confirmed by our denomination, the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA). These men are called and ordained to this work after first being identified and nominated by other members of our church. Following nomination by at least three other members not related to them, they enter a time of training and discernment, and after successful completion the Session votes to submit their names to the congregation for election to office. After election, officers are ordained and installed. The usual time from nomination to ordination is a year.
The Trinity Officer Development Ministry Team (ODMT) oversees the nomination and training process for Elders and Deacons on behalf of the Session.
Elders oversee the church's teaching and spiritual nurture of the congregation. This involves two main aspects: governing and shepherding. Collectively known as the Session, Elders lead our church in its mission to the world. As shepherds, they facilitate, nourish, and protect the communal and individual spiritual lives of those entrusted to their care. Elders ensure that the grace and truth of the gospel are lived out in the body of Christ at Trinity.
Deacons demonstrate the reality of Christ's love and mercy by serving people—especially the vulnerable among us. Deacons comfort people in need, care for the poor, and encourage the church in this work, thereby authenticating and demonstrating the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Deacons also steward and manage the resources entrusted to the church by God, including our facility, property, and financial resources.
Developing New Elders and Deacons
Identifying and nominating individual members who display the character and gifts for this work is both a privilege and a responsibility of church membership. Because nomination is a result of the activity of the Holy Spirit in bringing to mind those who would serve the church well, and because ordination to office is perpetual (lifetime), please:
For Elders, nominate men who exhibit:
For Deacons, nominate men who exhibit:
Those who have been nominated in the past are eligible to be nominated again. A previous nominee may have needed time to be known by more people in the congregation, or to grow spiritually, or may have had life circumstances when initially nominated that made it unwise to accept the duties. Trinity employees are no longer eligible to be considered for nomination to serve during their employment.
The Discernment Process
Serving as a church officer is a high calling that requires tested godliness and trustworthiness. The process of discerning these qualities involves the Holy Spirit, the congregation, the Session, and the candidates themselves, and takes considerable prayer and time for the nominee and for those surrounding him. Our process provides for that.
Time to Explore
After being nominated there is opportunity to learn more before committing to the process that begins in mid-fall. The nominees meet with ODMT and a few officers to hear about the basics and ask questions. Nominees may wish to attend a Session or Diaconate meeting (these are generally open to any member). Nominees who wish to do so will be paired early with an officer mentor to meet a few times to talk about the office and the work involved in preparation and service.
Initial Interview
Early in the discernment period, nominees will be examined by a member of the Session. Nominees will be asked about their Christian experience, their moral character and daily walk, evidence of spiritual gifts that fit them for the work to which they have been nominated, and the other aspects of character and life mentioned in 1 Timothy 3. If the nominee is married, a separate interview with his wife will be requested.
Training Program (fall and winter)
When a nominee agrees to move forward, the training will include:
Having completed the training program, the candidate will be examined by the Session in:
To serve as an Elder or a Deacon requires election to the office by the congregation after being certified by the Session as meeting all the requirements. Following election, the new officers will be ordained and installed in their office at a worship service. The office is lifetime, although there are provisions for a sabbatical and approving requested periods of inactivity or emeritus status when illness or age so dictate.