What is a Staff Led Structure?
Definition: This means that all financial, operational, ministry, and strategic decisions are ultimately made by the Lead Pastor and the paid Pastoral and support Staff. The Staff is responsible to God and to the church family, for seeking God in moving forward with vision and ministry; seeking wise counsel from ministry leaders and volunteers in determining best courses of action.
Q: What is the role of an elder in a staff led structure?
A: The Board governs, but does not lead or manage.
How do we implement this structure?
• The board holds the pastor accountable for implementation of the vision. This means that its accomplishment is discussed at every board meeting. As the pastor keeps them informed about his goals and those of his staff, the report should demonstrate how the vision is being carried out.
• The finances are managed by a staff person who reports to the pastor. This is also true for the management of the building and grounds. However, the board sets some basic policy standards for these areas. The pastor keeps the board informed so that compliance is evident.
• Personnel issues concerning the senior pastor are dealt with by the board. All other staff issues are dealt with by the senior pastor within any policy guidelines set by the board. The goal is to assure that people are put in place by the pastor that will promote the vision.
• The board actively supports and defends the freedom and authority of the pastor and the pastor’s staff to lead and manage all the ministries and operations of the church. The board holds the pastor accountable by gathering evidence on two questions:
1. Is the mission and vision of the church being accomplished?
2. Are the policy boundaries of the church being respected in the process?
As long as the board is satisfied by measurable evidence that the answer to both questions is yes, the board defends the pastor against any criticism as to the means used by the staff to accomplish the vision.
Elder Board Appointment
It is the conviction of Western Reserve leadership that the governing board should be a group of men that see themselves in relationship to one another, for the purpose of shepherding the people God has entrusted to us, while spurring one another onto good deeds, all for the glory of our Savior.
To accomplish the above, Western Reserve has adopted the 3C’s concept. The appointment of men to the board will reflect an honest evaluation of the 3C’s.
Character
- These reflect the spiritual qualifications our Lord requires for elders in His church.
1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-16.
Competency
- This “C” reflects the “ability” to handle scripture accurately (able to teach), so that all interactions with people of His church will be in the context of sound Biblical theology and doctrine (1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:9), refuting all that is in error for the protection of Jesus’ church and its mission.
Chemistry
- The board members must enjoy chemistry in relationship; respect of one another, the lead pastor’s leadership, and ownership of the church vision and core values.
- An important attribute of a board member is the understanding of form vs. function.
- The function of the church is to reach people and develop disciples that enjoy the fellowship of His Word with other believers, seeking to bring glory to God in everything they do. This is a non-negotiable biblical mandate set by Christ in His Great Commission to us (Matthew 28:19-20).
- The form or strategy IS negotiable. The diversity in culture demand its leaders to be strategic in carrying out its mission (1 Corinthians 9:22). In our freedom to determine a strategy, unity in Western Reserve’s ministry approach must be held by the board members.
- If there is a lack of respect for other board members or the Lead Pastor, one should not be appointed to the elder board.
- If there is not full ownership of the vision and core values of the church, one should not be appointed to the elder board.
Elder Board Overview
What does God require of an elder?
1 Timothy 3:1-7 1 It is a trustworthy statement: if any man aspires to the office of overseer, it is a fine work he desires to do. 2 An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, prudent, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3 not addicted to wine or pugnacious, but gentle, peaceable, free from the love of money. 4 He must be one who manages his own household well, keeping his children under control with all dignity 5 (but if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of the church of God?), 6 and not a new convert, so that he will not become conceited and fall into the condemnation incurred by the devil. 7 And he must have a good reputation with those outside the church, so that he will not fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
Titus 1:5-9 5 For this reason I left you in Crete, that you would set in order what remains and appoint elders in every city as I directed you, 6 namely, if any man is above reproach, the husband of one wife, having children who believe, not accused of dissipation or rebellion. 7 For the overseer must be above reproach as God’s steward, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not addicted to wine, not pugnacious, not fond of sordid gain, 8 but hospitable, loving what is good, sensible, just, devout, self-controlled, 9 holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, so that he will be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict.
Western Reserve main focus is God’s requirement. A prospective elder should consider his life in light of God’s Word. In the evaluation of oneself, one should remember that God is not calling any one person to perfection, but rather this is a glimpse, or a snapshot of ones life. And in that snapshot, there is a consistency of character with regard to the qualifications listed above.
What Does Western Reserve Require of an Elder?
As scripture is the basis for qualification of one’s life, endorsement in church’s direction and vision is paramount. It is required that an elder be 100% on board with the vision and direction of Western Reserve.
Can an Elder be removed from the Board?
Yes. If one or both of the above requirements is not met, and elder will be asked to step down from their role.
Term of service on the Board of Elders
1.) The term of service for an elder at Western Reserve Grace Church will be for a period of 3 years.
2.) At the end of 3 years, lead pastor may ask for a continued commitment of an additional 3 years for a total of 6 years.
3.) A six year term is maximum time of service. An elder may be re-appointed after the completed 6 years, but only after a 1 year sabbatical. This would be at the invitation of the lead pastor.
Appointment to the Elder Board
The current elder board will approve and appoint elders based upon the qualifications outlined in scripture. The current board has the freedom to speak to anyone in the church concerning an elder appointment in order to protect its integrity and to maintain trust from the people of Western Reserve. The people of Western will have an opportunity to give any feedback to the potential appointment. If there are valid reasons that arise from the people as to why an elder candidate should not serve as an elder, it will be the boards responsibility to investigate and make a decision based upon validity, life circumstance, and the ability to resolve discrepancy.
Tiers of Leadership at Western Reserve
At Western Reserve, we believe in the development of men (1 Timothy 4:12). We also recognize that appointing an elder to quickly can lead to dysfunction among the board through lack of maturity and life experience. We seek to develop, train and protect young men so that they may become trustworthy overseers of the spiritual environment at Western Reserve.
In order to accomplish the above, Western Reserve has a two-tier elder board.
Tier 1- This would describe an elder with full endorsement from lead pastor and current elder board members. He has met and continues to maintain a 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1 lifestyle over a period of time that proves that he is stable and mature in his walk with Jesus Christ. Should a situation arise where a member needs spiritual counsel, prayer, and/or discipline, a tier 1 elder would be fully endorsed.
Tier 2 – This would describe an elder in training. This elder exhibits a lifestyle as defined in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1, but does not have the life experience to be a tier 1 elder. This elder would participate in all elder meetings and do the work of an elder as described in the Staff Led Church Document, but would have oversight and coaching by lead pastor and other board members when needed. Tier 2 elders would serve a 3 year term, and if qualified, and at the lead pastors request, would be invited to continue serving as a tier 1 elder.
Perspective Elder Approval Process
All prospective elders must fill out an elder questionnaire. This must be returned to the Lead Pastor for distribution to the board. The board is to review the questionnaire. The prospective elder will then meet for an interview with the current board.
If approved by board, the board will inform the covenant community of Western Reserve and ask if there would be any reason why the candidate should not be appointed.
Once these are completed, the prospective elder will be appointed and commissioned to serve on the board.
How often do we meet?
The board will meet once per quarter.
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