Support Your New Elders at Ordination and Installation, January 12

Ordination and Installation of Newly Elected Elders

“Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you through prophecy with the laying on of hands by the council of elders.” (1 Timothy 4:14)

This Sunday has been set apart for the consecration of newly elected elders for a lifetime of leadership and service, and for a three-year, active term on Session. The Presbyterian process for choosing our leadership is a joint exercise of the whole congregation (through election) and the council of elders (through examination and approval). This Sunday marks the final stage in that process, in which the newly elected elders are ordained (for life) and installed for a three-year term on our Session (2025-2027). The new elders will affirm their commitment by answering the following constitutional questions:

W-4.0404: Constitutional Questions 

The moderator of the council of those to be ordained, installed, or commissioned shall ask them to face the body of membership and to answer the following questions:

a. 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? 

b. Do you accept the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments to be, by the Holy Spirit, the unique and authoritative witness to Jesus Christ in the Church universal, and God’s Word to you?

c. 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?

d. Will you fulfill your ministry in obedience to Jesus Christ, under the authority of Scripture, and be continually guided by our confessions?

e. 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?

f. Will you in your own life seek to follow the Lord Jesus Christ, love your neighbors, and work for the reconciliation of the world? 

g. Do you promise to further the peace, unity, and purity of the church?

h. Will you pray for and seek to serve the people with energy, intelligence, imagination, and love?

i. (1) (For ruling elder) Will you be a faithful ruling elder, watching over the people, providing for their worship, nurture, and service? Will you share in government and discipline, serving in councils of the church, and in your ministry will you try to show the love and justice of Jesus Christ?

Following their affirmative responses to these questions, the candidates for ordination will be invited to kneel (those who have previously been ordained will remain standing), while all ordained elders who have ever served on the governing board of a church will be invited to come forward for the act of ordination through prayer and the laying on of hands. This ancient rite of consecration has been in constant use by the church since the earliest references in Scripture and recognizes the fact that it is the Holy Spirit who has been active in the calling, approval, and consecration of these elders.

Please join us for this very meaningful service in the life of our congregation and the lives of Sherrie Giles, Aiden Goodwin, Todd Harvey, Mary Johnson, and Nick Nieves.