DUTY OF ELDERS
(From the BOOK OF ORDER, G-6.0304)
It is the duty of elders, individually and jointly, to strengthen and nurture the faith and life of the congregation committed to their charge. 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,
- visit and comfort and care for the people, with special attention to the poor, the lonely, and those who are oppressed.
- inform the pastor and session of those persons and structures that may need special attention.
- assist in worship.
- cultivate their ability to teach the Bible and may be authorized to supply places without the regular ministry of the Word and Sacrament.
Those duties which all Christians are bound to perform by the law of love are especially incumbent upon elders because of their calling to office and are to be fulfilled by them as official responsibilities.
RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE SESSION
(From the BOOK OF ORDER, G-10.0102)
EVANGELISM
a. To provide opportunities for evangelism to be learned and practiced
b. To receive members into the church
WORLD MISSION
c. To lead the congregation in participation in the mission of the church in the whole world
WORSHIP
d. To provide for the worship of the people of God
EDUCATION
e. To provide for the growth of its members and for their equipment for ministry
f. To develop and supervise the church school and the educational program of the church
OUTREACH
g. To lead the congregation in ministries of personal and social healing and reconciliation in the communities in which the church lives and bears its witness;
STEWARDSHIP
h. To challenge the people of God with the privilege of responsible Christian stewardship of money and time and talents.
i. To establish the annual budget. . . providing full information to the congregation of its decisions in such matters;
CHANGE
j. To lead the congregation to discover what God is doing in the world and to plan for change, renewal and reformation under the Word of God.
LEADERSHIP TRAINING
k. To engage in a process of education and mutual growth of the members of the session;
l. To instruct, examine, ordain, install, and welcome into common ministry elders and deacons on their election by the congregation
SUPERVISION AND ADMINISTRATION
m. To delegate and supervise the work of the board of deacons and board of trustees and all other organizations and task forces within the congregation, providing for support, report, review, control.
n. To provide for the administration of the program of the church, including employment of nonordained staff;
o. To provide for the management of the property of the church
CONNECTING
p. To maintain regular and continuing relationship to the higher governing bodies of the church
q. To establish and maintain those ecumenical relationships necessary for the life and mission of the church in its locality;
r. To serve in judicial matters in accordance with the Rules of Discipline
MEMBERSHIP
s. To keep an accurate role of the membership of the church
OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES OF SESSION
- to elect church treasurer annually [G-10.0401]
- to elect a clerk of session for a set term [G-9.0203]
- oversee work of audit committee annually