Who can be an Elder?

Qualifications
Elders must…

1. Clearly demonstrate the spiritual qualifications based on 1 Timothy 3:1-13 and Titus 1:6-9
2. Clearly demonstrate active leadership involvement in at least one ministry of GCF. Elder nominees must be presently teaching or actively discipling.
3. Be a member of GCF in good standing for three (3) years. A member in good standing is someone who is:
4. Faithfully and regularly attending and supporting GCF worship services and ministries, unless prevented to do so under reasonable circumstances; and
5. Not in or has not sought the membership or ministry of another church or congregation by regularly participating in their small or large group fellowships and ministry, which indicates a departure from GCF.

Nomination Requirements

1. If married, consent from the spouse is required in the nomination form. 
2. The Nominees must have at least two (2) nominations from a GCF member other than their relative within the first degree of consanguinity.
3. Elder Nominees must be at least thirty (30) years of age.
4. A nominee for Eldership must have been, for at least two (2) years, actively leading or involved in at least one ministry program where teaching is the primary.  

Nomination Limitations

1. Supported Missionaries and Pastoral Staff of the church shall be restrained from nomination. 
2. Nominations for eldership of currently serving deacons (and elders for deaconship) who, upon getting voted to their new position, will cut short their current term and prevent them from fully out-serving their three (3) year term will not be accepted.
3. After two (2) consecutive terms, a one (1) year rest is required before submitting for another nomination.

What do Church Elders do?

Duties and Responsibilities
Church Elders are to willingly do the following:

1. Look after the spiritual welfare of families and individual church members through prayers and visitations, among others, serving as good examples of faithful servant- leadership;
2. To act as trustees of the doctrinal statement and by-laws, protecting the flock from anything that denies the gospel of Jesus Christ and/or undermines the unity of the church;
3. Oversee the administration of ordinances;
4. To act as a governing and policy-making body both in ministry and corporate matters;
5. To oversee the accomplishment of main ministry goals through the different main ministry core teams;
6. To oversee support functions through the different support ministry teams;
7. To oversee the process of calling or removing the Senior Pastor, and in consultation with the latter, oversee the process of removing or calling associate or assistant pastors;
8. To implement or delegate administration of church discipline at the board, ministry, and membership levels based on scripture and established policy and procedure;
9. To adopt and implement policies for the establishment and support of church plants or satellites, to monitor and sustain their progress towards achieving independent local church status.

Who can be a Deacon / Deaconess?

Qualifications
Deacons / Deaconesses must…

1. Clearly demonstrate the spiritual qualifications based on 1 Timothy 3:1-13 and Titus 1:6-9
2. Clearly demonstrate active leadership involvement in at least one ministry of GCF. 
3. Be a member of GCF in good standing for three (3) years. A member in good standing is someone who is:
4. Faithfully and regularly attending and supporting GCF worship services and ministries, unless prevented to do so under reasonable circumstances; and
5. Not in or has not sought the membership or ministry of another church or congregation by regularly participating in their small or large group fellowships and ministry, which indicates a departure from GCF.

Nomination Requirements

1. If married, consent from the spouse is required in the nomination form. 
2. The Nominees must have at least two (2) nominations from a GCF member other than their relative within the first degree of consanguinity.
3. Deacon Nominees must be at least twenty-one (21) years of age.

Nomination Limitations

1. Supported Missionaries and Pastoral Staff of the church shall be restrained from nomination. 
2. Nominations for eldership of currently serving deacons (and elders for deaconship) who, upon getting voted to their new position, will cut short their current term and prevent them from fully out-serving their three (3) year term will not be accepted.
3. After two (2) consecutive terms, a one (1) year rest is required before submitting for another nomination.

What do Church Deacons / Deaconesses do?

Duties and Responsibilities
Deacons and deaconesses shall primarily serve in support ministries and administrative matters of the church, such as:

1. Receive, count, and record all church collections for turnover to the treasurer;
2. Assist the church in financial matters such as raising money, budget preparation and monitoring;
3. Assist in the acquisition, use, and maintenance of all church property;
4. Assist the various main ministry core teams, sub-ministries, and working groups to determine their financial needs;
5. Assist in the administration of the ordinances;
6. Elect from among themselves individuals to serve in the Ministry Support Teams and Main Ministry Teams; and
7. Overall, assist the Church Administrator and Ministry Support team heads/ managers in support areas of finance, facilities, and human resources.

Nothing in the above enumeration of duties and responsibilities shall deprive a deacon/ deaconess of individually serving in any ministry of his/her gifting or calling, whether it be in the main or support ministries.