The Eldership decides on spiritual matters of the body — doctrine, discipline, direction, and the recognition of Elders, Deacons, and Five-Fold ministers. The mode of decision is prayer and fasting, weighing scripture and counsel, and reaching unity. Where unity is not present, the decision is deferred for further prayer. Where the matter is urgent and a decision must be made, a majority of the Eldership decides and dissent is honoured and recorded.
| # | Decision | Why this belongs here |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Doctrine and Statement of Faith content | The Eldership are gifted as teachers and guardians of the body’s theology. Amendments to the Statement of Faith still go to the Saints for legal confirmation, but the substantive theological work belongs to the Eldership. |
| 2 | Identification of new Elders | Through the Doc 6 Part Four ten-stage discernment process (Observation, Initial Conversation, Multi-Month Testing, Body Input, Personal Interview, Family Interview, Prayer and Fasting, Public Announcement, Installation, First Year Review). This is spiritual discernment, not majoritarian vote. |
| 3 | Identification of new Deacons | Same ten-stage process applied to the Diaconate office. The Eldership recognises those whose gifts and character fit 1 Timothy 3:8–13. |
| 4 | Identification and release of Five-Fold ministers | Through the Doc 8 six-stage process (Watching, Initial Conversation, Trial Release, Eldership Discernment, Commissioning, Ongoing Accountability). The Eldership recognises and releases. |
| 5 | Selection of a paid Pastor | The Eldership leads the search, weighs candidates against 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1, and discerns the person the Lord is calling — as it recognises an Elder (Doc 6). The selection is the Eldership’s; the body’s affirming role and the Committee’s handling of the employment follow (Section 5). |
| 6 | Direction and vision of the church | What the Lord is calling the body to in this season. Held by the Eldership in prayer and presented to the body for confirmation through the Annual Prospectus. |
| 7 | Five-Stage Annual Discernment Process (Doc 5) | Alignment, Eldership Data Review, Body Workshops, Scoping, and Prospectus. The Eldership leads each stage, orders the work into the priority ladder, and — after the body has approved the plan and given — allocates the offering down that ladder (provisional, then final). The body participates in Stage 3 workshops and confirms the Prospectus at AGM. |
| 8 | Ministry direction and focus | Which ministries to start, expand, restructure, or close. Strategic ministry decisions belong to the Eldership in their spiritual oversight role. |
| 9 | Approval of new members at the formal step | After the administrative work of application, the Eldership confirms the application. The framework calls for a conversation between the applicant and at least two Elders before approval. |
| 10 | Doctrinal disputes among the body | The Eldership is the body’s teaching authority. When members disagree on doctrine, the Eldership weighs the matter and teaches the body. |
| 11 | Church discipline at the formal spiritual stage (Matthew 18 stages 3 and 4) | Where one-to-one (stage 1) and witnesses (stage 2) have not resolved the matter, the Eldership becomes involved. They pray, listen, and seek to bring restoration. |
| 12 | Restoration of fallen Saints | Where a member has fallen into sin, the Eldership leads the restoration process with pastoral care, accountability, and the aim of full reconciliation to the body. |
| 13 | Pastoral care priorities | Which crises the body responds to, which needs receive immediate Eldership attention, how pastoral care is distributed across the body. |
| 14 | Spiritual oversight of ministries and programs | Confirmation that ministries are operating in alignment with the body’s purpose and Statement of Faith. The Eldership oversees; the Committee handles the operational scaffolding. |
| 15 | Selection of preachers and guest ministers | Both regular pulpit ministry rotation and external guest speakers. The Eldership is responsible for what is taught from the pulpit. |
| 16 | Doctrinal review of teaching materials, curricula, discipleship pathways | Quality control over what is taught in kids’ ministry, youth, small groups, and member training. The Eldership ensures alignment with the body’s doctrine. |
| 17 | Theological positions on contested or emerging matters | When new theological challenges emerge in the wider church or society, the Eldership weighs the matter and articulates the body’s position. Significant changes may be brought to the body for confirmation. |
| 18 | Ordinances and sacraments | Communion frequency and form; approval of baptism candidates; approval of marriage candidates; conduct of dedications, funerals, and ordinations. These are spiritual matters carried by the Eldership. |
Why the Eldership and not the Saints on these? Because scripture appoints Elders to shepherd the flock, give themselves to prayer and the ministry of the Word, and guard the body from drift. Doctrine, discipline, and direction are not majoritarian questions. They are spiritual discernment questions where the gifts of Eldership are specifically given. The Saints stand with the Eldership in prayer and confirmation; the Eldership carries the discernment.