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A Recommended Process for Selecting Biblical Leaders

The following is the process for selecting Biblically-qualified Elders and Deacons used at First Baptist Church, Calgary.

Step 1: Recommendations of Potential Elder/Deacon

  • Self-Recommendation: 
    • Any man can fill out a form declaring he feels called and would like to enter the process of evaluation for an Elder. 
    • Any man or woman can fill out a form declaring they feel called and would like to enter the process of evaluation for a Deacon
    • Both Potential Elders and Deacons will fill out a Potential Leader Recommendation form (see below)
    • Once the form is received each individual will meet with a pastor who will go through Measuring Church Leaders with the Bible booklet together with them and ask them to evaluate themselves based on the qualifications of an Elder or Deacon.
  • Congregational Recommendation:
    • Any member (including pastors) can follow the same process above and fill out a PLR form to present a name for consideration of leadership. 
    • A person fills out the form on behalf of another and has a pastor sign it.
    • The pastors will contact the recommended person and ask them to go through the Measuring Church Leaders with the Bible booklet together with them and ask them to evaluate themselves based on the qualifications of an Elder or Deacon.

Step 2: Self Evaluation/Qualifications 

  • Season of prayer with wife (if married, for potential Elders) or another church member if single or as a potential Deacon.
  • Required reading and discussion with pastors
    • for potential Elders:  Church Elders by Jeramie Rinne  
    • for potential Deacons:  Deacons by Matt Smethurst  
  • Questionnaire
    • includes doctrinal questions for potential Elders and qualifications questions for potential Deacons  

Moving to next step:

  • If individual still feels convinced with wife/friend to move forward
  • Completed book
  • Questionnaire sent to pastors/elders

Step 3: Elder/Pastors Evaluation

  1. First, meeting with Elder/Pastors w/recommended Elder/Deacon
  • Walk through questionnaire 
    • Theological/Doctrine test (for potential Elders only)
    • Character/Life test (for both potential Elders or Deacons)
  • Dismiss Candidates
  • There are 3 levels of response 
    • RED = NO, you do not meet the qualifications (Must be…). 
      • Hopefully this will be very few who are obviously immature.
    • YELLOW = Yes, but there are a few things to work on in order to move forward (Must be…but first….)
      • Many people will likely fall into this category. If there are some areas of doctrine, maybe the elders would encourage them to work through Grudem’s Systematic Theology. If there are some areas of character, maybe elders would recommend focusing in this area of their lives. The heart of this is encouragement and further development. 
    • GREEN = Yes, we recommend immediately for Step #4 (Must be…and are).

2. Second, IF MARRIED, Elders/Pastors wives meet w/recommended Elder’s wife

  • More informal
    • It gives another critical level of evaluation (for example wives may share their concerns or not want their husband to be an Elder)
    • It also may connect them with other Elder’s wives if husband becomes an Elder 

Moving to next step:

  • Green light given for either potential Elder or Deacon
  • Meeting with wives completed for potential Elders only 

Step 4: Transitional Board Evaluation

1 hour Q&A around the booklet.

  • After Q&A the recommended potential Elder or Deacon is dismissed for discussion.

Moving to next step:

  • Board recommends step #5
    • IF RECOMMENDED, THEN THIS IS WHEN THE CANDIDATES NAME IS MADE KNOWN PUBLICLY ON A SUNDAY MORNING. 

Step 5: Congregational Evaluation

Now the recommended potential Elder or Deacon goes before the whole church. 

  • Elder/Deacon Potluck Sunday 
  • An Elder/Pastor facilitates this Congregational Meeting time together
    • Asks recommended potential Elder/Deacon to share testimony 
    • Open floor Q&A
    • Doctrinal questions for potential Elders
    • Pray for candidates and dismiss them
  • Vote 
  • Candidates will be notified following the meeting

Step 6: Ordination

This will take place on a Sunday morning. 

  • Presentation 
    • Draw “Blue Gumby” as reminder to the church (discipleship opportunity)
    • Publicly recount the process taken
    • Dedication vows (responsive reading)
  • Approved Elders will sign Elder Covenant in front of Congregation 
  • Approved Deacons will sign Deacon Covenant in front of Congregation
    • Laying on of hands/Prayer
    • Certificate