2027 Officer Recommendations
Sunday, August 30
2027 Officer Recommendations
Time: 12:00 am – 11:59 pm
The 2027 Nominating Committee is commencing its work and invites you to submit recommendations for consideration as ruling elders and deacons. These two groups are the primary leadership of the church and oversee the governance, mission, and ministry of Northminster. For more information on the roles of deacons and elders, and the time commitment, please see below. Feel free to recommend yourself if you are interested in serving in this capacity.
RULING ELDERS
G-2.0301 Ruling Elder Defined (Excerpt from the PCUSA Book of Order)
“…congregations should elect persons of wisdom and maturity of faith, having demonstrated skills in leadership and being compassionate in spirit…Ruling elders, together with ministers of the Word and Sacrament, exercise leadership, government, spiritual discernment, and discipline and have responsibilities for the life of a congregation as well as the whole church…”
Sixteen elected elders form the session or governing board for Northminster. The session sets the vision and strategic direction for the congregation, plans programming, executes mission work, and monitors the finances and distribution of resources in partnership with the senior pastor and staff. The Session meets (1.5-2 hours) on the third Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. Session members each chair or co-chair a team or committee of the church. These teams currently include Building and Grounds, Christian Education, Congregational Life, Communications, Finance, Mission, Personnel, Stewardship, and Worship but may vary year-to-year. Teams usually meet (1-2 hours) on the first Tuesday of the month though some meet at other times. Elders are elected for a 3-year term beginning January 2025.
The time commitment of an Elder varies depending on the team and the time of year. A Weekly commitment can range from 1 to 5 hours. The monthly commitment would be from 4 to 12 hours.
DEACONS
G-2.0201 Deacon Defined (Excerpt from the PCUSA Book of Order)
“The ministry of deacon as set forth in Scripture is one of compassion, witness, and service, sharing in the redeeming love of Jesus Christ for the poor, the hungry, the sick, the lost, the friendless, the oppressed, those burdened by unjust policies or structures, or anyone in distress…”
As a primary role, the board of deacons cares for the Northminster community and our neighbors nearby. There are nearly thirty deacons and approximately 10 sub-committees of the deacon board. Many deacons lead a sub-committee. Deacon projects include emergency meals, home communion, elder calls, Clothe-a-Child, and partnerships with Butler Lab School 55 and Broad Ripple Middle School. The deacons meet 6 to 8 times a year and do fundraising such as the annual plant sale. Deacons are elected for a 3-year term beginning January 2025.
The time commitment of a Deacon varies throughout the year but would average 2 to 6 hours per month.