SECTION 2.  ELDERS (Section 2 of Northstar Church’s Constitution and Bylaws)

The Elder, as a biblically ordained office (Acts 20:17-35, 1 Timothy 3:1-7, Titus 1:5-9), is a spiritually mature man who leads and teaches within the Church.  In the New Testament, the Elder is also referred to as a pastor, overseer, presbyter, shepherd, or bishop.  Each term describes a different facet of the same office.  “Elder” refers to the spiritual maturity of the individual (Acts 20:28).  “Bishop” and “overseer” refer to leadership responsibility (Titus 1:5).  “Shepherd” and “pastor” refer to the responsibility to nurture the flock (1 Peter 5:1-2).

A.  Major responsibilities and duties of the Lay Elders at Northstar Church include, but are not limited to the following:
1.    Oversee the vision and direction for the Church and exercise watch care over the Church.
2.    Provide spiritual guidance, teaching, and equip people for the work of the ministry.
3.    Provide leadership and counsel in the Word and demonstrate consistent study and teaching of the Word of God.  Elders are to exercise good stewardship over their God-given ministry as Elders.
4.    Exercise pastoral care over the congregation.
5.    Give approval and show support for all ministries, programs, events, and activities done in the name of Northstar Church.
6.    Provide the Senior Pastor with guidance, support, and accountability.
7.    Provide guidance, direction, and support, through the Senior Pastor, for all Church staff.
8.    Provide oversight and maintain, along with the Senior Pastor, all Bylaws and policies.

 B.  Active Elders serve on the Elder Council (referred to as the Council), which is comprised of the Senior Pastor as Chairman or Chief Elder, and six men (three from each campus).

 C.  Each man serves a six-year term with rotations fixed so that only one Elder should rotate off each year.  The rotation will be organized so that Elders from each campus rotate off in alternating years.  (See the exceptions with replacement Elders discussed in ¶ L below.) 

 D.  When a man rotates off a full term of active service on the Elder Council, he must wait one calendar year before he can serve again on the Elder Council. 

E.  Elders shall meet the scriptural qualifications found primarily in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:6-8.  At their time of nomination, those selected for Elder will be:

 1.    Men who have been professing Christians at least ten years and members of Northstar Church for at least five years.
2.    Men of recognized Christian character and spiritual maturity consistent with Scripture (1 Timothy 3:2-4 and Titus 1:7-9).  Men who have been divorced will be considered for nomination on a case-by-case situation, dependent upon the time of their divorce (preconversion), or whether there were Biblical grounds for the divorce (adultery by the spouse).
3.    Men who are obedient to the Scripture and faithful in stewardship by tithing at least one tenth to the Church (Malachi 3:10).
4.    Men who are not members of the Church’s employed staff above the level of ministry assistant and whose spouse is not an employee of the Church above the level of ministry assistant.
5.    Men at least 30 years of age.
6.    Men who are protectors of sound teaching (Titus 1:9). 

F.  Selection of Elders will be made on the basis of all the above-listed qualifications.