Parish Elder Election
Mike Niam
My wife Annette and I have three children: Vaughn (11), Malachi (3), and Amelie (1), and we've lived in Moscow for almost three years. After moving our family here from San Antonio, TX to enroll in Greyfriars Hall and pursue pastoral ministry, I began working for King's Cross Church as a part-time Executive Administrator last year. I have a great desire to serve the Lord by serving His church in whatever way I can. I see this opportunity to serve KC as a Parish Elder as a great honor and responsibility.
While not working my day job in the travel data industry and reading piles of books for Greyfriars, I enjoy spending as much time with my family as possible, going on hikes, visiting National Parks, coaching my son's sports teams, and smoking Texas style BBQ.
From our Constitution:
Electors
In church elections, voting is done by household. Those households eligible to vote will be called elector households. For voting purposes, an elector household is defined as a household where the head of that household is a member in good standing. Independant unmarried members are also considered elector households for purposes of voting. Elector households may vote in the elections of elders and deacons. The elders will qualify elector households. Three weeks prior to any church election, a ballot will be provided. Elections will be conducted at appropriate times set by the elders.
Election of Parish Elders
A prospect for parish elder may be identified by the elders, by the congregation, or may volunteer himself. The elders will discuss the prospects, examine them, and narrow the list down as appropriate. If the nominee has any disagreement or mental reservation about any portion of the church’s book of Confessions or this constitution, he must inform the elders of it. All prospects for elder must meet the qualifications for the office set down in Scripture (1 Tim. 3:1–7; Tit. 1:5–9; 1 Pet. 5:2–4; 1 Tim. 3:8–13).
Once approved, the nominee may work through a short course of training on eldership under the oversight of the current session. His name will then be placed on a ballot for the electors. Each ballot will provide the option of voting yes, no, or abstain.
If the candidate receives a two thirds majority support of the entire congregation, the elders will ordain him for a two year term through the laying on of hands and prayer. If any elector votes no and includes a reason for the no vote on the ballot, the elders must carefully weigh the scriptural merit of the objection before ordaining the elder elect.
At the end of a two year term, if he desires to continue serving the congregation, the parish elder must be reaffirmed by a two thirds majority vote of the entire congregation. If elected, the elders will extend his ordination for an additional five year term. If any elector votes no and includes a reason for the no vote on the ballot, the elders must carefully weigh the scriptural merit of the objection before ordaining the elder elect.
After the subsequent five year term, if the elder wishes to continue his service, another church wide election will occur. If in this election, the candidate receives a three quarters majority of the congregational votes cast, the elders will extend his ordination for life. If any elector votes no and includes a reason for the no vote on the ballot, the elders must carefully weigh the scriptural merit of the objection and meet as necessary with the electors who cast the no votes. If these conditions are met, the elders will extend the parish elder’s ordination to a life-term through laying on of hands and prayer. If events warrant it, during an elder’s term of office, the session may grant a leave of absence for a length of time specified at the time of the leave. If the leave of absence coincides with an elder election to renew or extend his term of service, his election may be postponed until the leave of absence is concluded.