An Elder shall have made a profession of faith that meets with the parameters of those beliefs espoused by Orchard Hills.

An Elder shall be a confirmed or received member of the congregation, man or woman, who has a proven history of serving the interests of the congregation through effort, time and tithes. Only one member of a family may hold the position of Elder at any given point in time.

An Elder should meet the qualifications set out in scripture: 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1: 5-9. Specifically, an Elder should exhibit the virtues of self-control, gentleness, hospitality, self-discipline, sincerity and honesty. They should not be quarrelsome or over-bearing. Additionally, an Elder should be a good teacher of the faith, a responsible family manager and a faithful spouse. Above all, an Elder must have a firm faith, based upon biblical teachings, that has been tested and live according to that faith.

DUTIES OF AN ELDER

The first duty of an Elder is to live out his or her faith on a daily basis. Additionally, an Elder is to oversee the Church. An Elder must attend regular meetings (bi-monthly, or more often if necessary, one such meeting to focus on prayer) and attend to spiritual issues and business matters that affect the church.

The Elders, along with the Pastor, will assist in the tending to the spiritual needs of the congregation, apply spiritual doctrine to any issues regarding the church that arise, participate in setting the budget and oversee decisions regarding church expenditures.

APPOINTMENT OF ELDERS

Elders shall be divided into three groups. Each group of Elders shall serve for a term of three years on a rotating basis such that one group of Elders shall be appointed each year. At each Annual Meeting, additional elders may be selected, provided there are qualified candidates, to fill the vacancies created by the retiring group. Elders will be confirmed by public affirmation. This is not an election process where a majority vote is sufficient; one descentor who can show just cause why an individual should not be an elder will prevail.

No Elder shall serve more than two consecutive full terms. An individual would be eligible to be reappointed as an Elder after a one-year hiatus following the completion of his or her second term.

All members of the congregation may nominate candidates for appointment as an Elder. All such nominations shall be made in writing during January of each calendar year and must be presented to a current Elder or the Pastor for consideration.

Anyone nominated for appointment as an Elder shall be contacted to determine whether or not that individual would accept such an appointment, and if so, to complete a Statement of Faith.

From the slate of nominated candidates, the current Elders and the Pastor may unanimously select individuals to present to the assembled congregation at the Annual Meeting.

The public affirmation at the Annual Meeting shall be entered upon the Minutes of the Annual Meeting and newly affirmed Elders shall immediately assume their duties.

If a vacancy occurs among the Elders during any year, the current Elders and the Pastor may, at its next regularly scheduled meeting, select a current member of the congregation to serve out the unexpired term. Such a selection must be unanimous and will be subject to the selected individual agreeing to accept the position and his or her completion of a Statement of Faith.

INITIAL SELECTION OF ELDERS

Nomination of potential Elders for the initial slate of Elders at Orchard Hills shall be made as indicated above with all nominations being made in writing and given to Pastor McLucas. However, such nominees shall be presented to the current Elders/Vestry of Church of the Holy Spirit (CHS). The CHS Elders/Vestry shall potentially select between five and nine individuals to act as the Elders of Orchard Hills.