Our Timeline for Ordaining Elders & Deacons
We’re reaching an exciting milestone in the life of Providence Presbyterian Church: the nomination, training, and ordination of our own church officers.
Up until this point, Providence has been blessed to be shepherded and governed by temporary elders from the Blue Ridge Presbytery. Don Craighead, Doug Hart, and Charlie Nave have gone above and beyond the call of duty and have given selflessly of their time to lead our congregation.
But beginning next Sunday, May 19th, 2024, the particularization process – the process of becoming a “particular church” in the eyes of our presbytery and denomination – will begin.
The Presbyterian Church in America is known to do things “decently and in order,” so naturally the particularization process is thorough. Below is a breakdown and timeline of what the members of Providence can anticipate as we ordain our first elders and deacons.
Nominations
May 19th through May 26th
Over the past several weeks I’ve been preaching through the book of 1 Timothy in preparation for nominating and electing men for the roles of elder and deacon. God’s Word outlines the qualifications for godly church officers in 1 Timothy 3:1-13:
So before the nomination process begins on Sunday, May 19th, I would encourage every Providence member to listen to those sermons and pray for discernment in nominating men to fill those roles.
On Sunday, May 19th, nominations will begin for elders and deacons. Every communing Providence member will be able to nominate men for each office via paper ballot at church or by submitting an online ballot. A link to the online ballot will be sent out on the morning of May 19th. The last day for nominations will be the following Sunday, May 26th.
Every communing member can nominate 3 men for the office of elder and 3 men for the office of deacon. Nominees must be qualified men who are members of Providence.
Once nominations are made, every nominee will be notified and given time to prayerfully consider pursuing officer training. Members will then be notified of the nominees who express interest in moving forward.
Officer Training
June 17th through August 19th
Over the course of 10 weeks, nominees will go through Officer Training, which will include character evaluations, required reading, and Biblical and theological instruction.
The training is an opportunity to help men better understand the theological convictions, government, and direction of Providence Presbyterian Church and our denomination, the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA).
Examinations & Session Interviews
Upon completion of Officer Training, nominees will be examined. According to Chapter 24 of the PCA’s Book of Church Order:
“Each nominee shall be examined in:
a. his Christian experience, especially his personal character and family management (based on the qualifications set out in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:6-9),
b. his knowledge of Bible content,
c. his knowledge of the system of doctrine, government, discipline contained in the Constitution of the Presbyterian Church in America (BCO Preface III, The Constitution Defined),
d. the duties of the office to which he has been nominated, and
e. his willingness to give assent to the questions required for ordination. (BCO 24-6).
“In the examination of the nominee’s personal character, the Session shall give specific attention to potential notorious concerns. Careful attention must be given to his practical struggle against sinful actions, as well as to persistent sinful desires. The nominee must give clear testimony of reliance upon his union with Christ and the benefits thereof by the Holy Spirit, depending on this work of grace to make progress over sin (Psalm 103:2-5, Romans 8:29) and to bear fruit (Psalm 1:3, Gal. 5:22-23). While imperfection will remain, when confessing sins and sinful temptations publicly, the nominee must exercise great care not to diminish the seriousness of those sins in the eyes of the congregation, as though they were matters of little consequence, but rather should testify to the work of the Holy Spirit in his progress in holiness (1 Cor. 6:9-11).
“Notwithstanding the above, the Session may render a decision on Christian experience at any point in the process, and based on that decision, may judge him ineligible for that election.”
Men will also be expected to state if they have any differences with the Westminster Confession of Faith, Larger Catechism, and Shorter Catechism.
Names before the congregation
September 23rd
After examinations are completed, the Session will report to the congregation the candidates eligible for election. Members will have one month to prayerfully consider who they would like to elect to the offices of elder and deacon.
Elections
October 27th
We will have a congregational meeting on Sunday, October 27th to elect elders and deacons. Similar to nominations, each communing member will be able to vote for the men standing for the office of elder and deacon.
Votes will be tallied in the congregational meeting and men will be elected according to majority vote. The results will then be announced.
Communing members will also vote on calling me as the pastor of Providence Presbyterian Church.
Particularization Service
Saturday, November 9th
Then on Saturday, November 9th we will meet at the American Legion for our Particularization Service – a worship service to formally ordain and install our new church officers.
Teaching and ruling elders from the Blue Ridge Presbytery will lay hands on the men called to the offices of elder and deacon and pray for them.
And at that time, Providence will no longer be a church plant or “mission church.” We will officially be a “particular church”!
Please note that the specific dates (and possibly some details) of this timeline may be subject to change. But hopefully this provides a general sense of when and what will occur over the next six months.
What an exciting time in the life of Providence! We are grateful for the Lord’s hand in getting us to this point and greatly anticipate what He will do in preparing and establishing godly men to lead our church.
