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In the Presbyterian church, women and men are called as leaders to all areas of ministry. The church has three ordained offices: Minister of Word and Sacrament (a.k.a., "pastor"), elder and deacon. You can read here about the process of calling elders and deacons.
When someone is elected elder or deacon for the first time, they are ordained. Ordination is the act by which the church admits individuals to office, placing them within the "ordering" of the church's life. A service of ordination is held during a worship service, during which the candidates are asked ordination questions, there is the laying on of hands by other officers and the pastor offers a prayer. Those ordained are not separated out from the people or set above the people of God, but are placed into special tasks within the people of God, to perform certain functions. Ordination occurs once, and is for life and to the whole Presbyterian church, not just the particular church. So, though elders and deacons are elected to serve a term of three years, their title is retained even when their term expires. At BPC, all elders and deacons are part of the Fellowship of the Ordained, which meets annually. Ministers of Word and Sacrament are called, elected, ordained and installed in a similar way to elders and deacons. What are the ordination questions? 1. Do you trust in Jesus Christ your Savior, acknowledge him Lord of all and Head of the church, and through him believe in one God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit? 2. Do you accept the Scriptures of the Old and New Testament to be, by the Holy Spirit, the unique and authoritative witness to Jesus Christ in the Church universal, and God's Word to you? 3. Do you sincerely receive and adopt the essential tenets of the Reformed faith as expressed in the confessions of our Church as authentic and reliable expositions of what Scripture leads us to believe and do, and will you be instructed and led by those confessions as you lead the people of God? 4. Will you fulfill your office in obedience to Jesus Christ, under the authority of Scripture, and be continually guided by our confessions? 5. Will you be governed by our Church's polity, and will you abide by its discipline? Will you be a friend among your colleagues in ministry, working with them, subject to the ordering of God's Word and Spirit? 6. Will you in your own life seek to follow the Lord Jesus Christ, love your neighbors, and work for the reconciliation of the world? 7. Do you promise to further the peace, unity and purity of the church? 8. Will you seek to serve the people with energy, intelligence, imagination, and love? How are elders and deacons called? Each year, the Nominating Committee asks the congregation for the names of people to serve as elder or deacon. The committee reviews the eligibility and willingness of each individual, and at the Congregational Meeting in the spring, presents a slate of nominees to be elected. If you would like to nominate yourself or someone else as an elder or deacon, click here to view and print a Nominating Brochure (includes Nominating Form). Who is eligible to be an elder or deacon? Eligible candidates have been active members of BPC for at least one year; pledge financial support to BPC and attend worship regularly. (An active member is someone who has gone through the New Member Discovery Class and been received into membership by the Session, and who takes an active part in church worship and ministry.) What qualifications are looked for in elders and deacons? Elders and deacons should demonstrate a commitment to: following the example of Jesus Christ; developing a spiritual discipline; supporting the vision and mission of BPC; equipping others to serve; receiving training; and discerning, with colleagues, the will of God for the life and ministry at BPC. Elders are defined as follows: "As there were in Old Testament times elders for the government of the people, so the New Testament Church provided persons with particular gifts to share in governing and ministry. Together with ministers of Word and Sacrament, elders exercise leadership, government and discipline and have responsibilities for the life of a particular church as well as the church at large, including ecumenical relationships. They shall serve faithfully as members of the session. When elected commissioners to higher governing bodies, elders participate and vote with the same authority as ministers of Word and Sacrament, and they are eligible for any office in the Church. It is the duty of elders, individually and jointly to strengthen and nurture the faith and life of the congregation. Together with the pastor, they should encourage the people in the worship and service of God, equip and renew them for their tasks within the church and for their mission in the world." (Book of Order G-6.0300) At BPC, elders are elected to oversee a specific area of ministry. Together with the pastors, the elders comprise a body called the Session. The Session is responsible for the mission and governance of the church. Twenty-one elders serve on the Session at BPC, each serving a three-year term. The terms of the elders are staggered, so that one third of the board retires as a new class of seven begins. The Session meets on the fourth Tuesday of each month, (except August and December). What are the current open elder positions? As of December 2007, the open elder positions are: Family Ministry, Children's Ministry, Mission, Planning and Organization, Youth Ministry, Worship. If you would like to nominate yourself or someone else to one of these positions, click here to view and print a Nominating Brochure (includes Nominating Form). Deacons are defined as follows: "In the Presbyterian Church the office of Deacon as set forth in Scripture (Acts 6:1-6) is one of sympathy, witness and service after the example of Jesus Christ. Persons of spiritual character, honest repute, of exemplary lives, brotherly and sisterly love, warm sympathies and sound judgment should be chosen for this office. It is the duty of deacons, first of all, to minister to those who are in need, to the sick, to the friendless, and to any who may be in distress both within and beyond the community of faith. They shall assume such other duties as may be delegated to them from time to time by the session." (Book of Order G-6.0401 & G-6.0402) At BPC, Deacons care for and nurture the congregation as well as promote small and large group fellowship. BPC has two deacon boards: Congregational Life and Caregiving. There are 12 deacons on each board. Both boards meet the first Tuesday of each month. Deacons of the church are elected to serve for a three-year term on one of these two boards. What are the ministries of the Caregiving Deacons? The Deacons Caregiving Ministry at BPC is made up of several "quiet ministries" that seek to nurture the BPC family and to witness Christ's healing love through service and prayer. The deacons serve as "the hands and feet of Christ," praying for and caring for others - an experience that brings both personal and spiritual growth. Correspondence Ministry - Sends notes of encouragement and condolence. Flower Ministry - Delivers flowers from Sunday worship services to homebound members and local convalescent centers. Transportation Ministry - Provides rides to Sunday services and other church functions, or to an important doctor's appointment, for members who do not drive. Friendly Visits - Serves members and friends who are not able to come to worship. Deacons visit, bringing a CD of the service and the Order of Worship. Emergency Meals Ministry - Provides meals in situations such as recuperating after a stay in the hospital. Blood Drive, All-Church Christmas Caroling - The Caregiving Deacons join together each year with the Congregational Life Deacons to plan these wonderful annual events, reaching out to the larger community. Pastoral Care, Home Communion and Care Team - The pastors and lay leaders (the Care Team) call, visit and bring Home Communion to members and friends in need. The Care Team members extend the time and care the pastors can provide. Memorial and Receptions Ministry - Assists families in memorial services for loved ones who have passed from this life to more life. This ministry provides ushers, hosts and home-baked cookies for memorial receptions. Bereavement Ministry - Reaches out to bereaved families, providing a comforting presence. Chain of Prayer - Responds to hundreds of prayer requests every year. More than 50 "Prayer Ministers" receive the prayer requests via e-mail, fax, or telephone, and provide sustained, focused prayer for the needs and concerns of the church family. What are the ministries of the Congregational Life Deacons? The Congregational Life Deacons call the BPC church family and friends to participate in the fellowship which God extends to each of us through Jesus Christ, so that we might better know each other, joyfully celebrate and reflect Christ's grace and love in our life. The Congregational Life Deacons are responsible for annual all-church events that support fellowship within the congregation. These events are: Congregational Lunch (February); All-Church Picnic (July or August); Reunion Sunday (September); and Thanksgiving Interfaith Breakfast with Kehillat Ma'arav Synagogue (November). The deacons build teams from members of the congregation to work together to produce these and other events. Finding the Right Ministry for You Is God calling you to serve as an elder or deacon? To find the right ministry for you, contact Sue Fisher, Director of Empowerment Ministries, at sfisher@bpcusa.org or 310-826-5656, ext. 3161. There are many ways to lend your spiritual gifts, time and abilities to serve BPC and the greater community.
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 Copyright 2001, Brentwood Presbyterian Church 12000 San Vicente Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90049 Phone: 310-826-5656 Fax: 310-826-5272 Email: info@bpcusa.org |
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