The Nominating Committee annually searches for and nominates active Bel Air Church members to serve as elders and deacons. Church members then elect these women and men to be ordained as servant-leaders to support our ministry of following Jesus every day and everywhere with everyone.

What is an elder?

Our church is governed by a session composed of our pastors, referred to as teaching elders, and 12 members called and ordained to the role of ruling elder. Each year, we call a class of 4 ruling elders to a three-year term to serve on session. Elders share in the discernment of God’s Spirit and governance of God’s people. They are called to exercise leadership, government, spiritual discernment, and discipline at Bel Air Church, and to evaluate ecumenical relationships with other churches and organizations. They should demonstrate an ability to discern and measure the congregation’s fidelity to scripture and strengthen and nurture its faith and life. Like deacons, they embody the qualifications outlined in 1 Timothy 3:1-13 and Titus 1:5-9.

Please take a moment to recommend people in our congregation who may be called to serve as elders. We need your participation. Your voice matters and helps ensure the entire community is represented.

What is a deacon?

As a church, one of the ways we care for one another is through the ministry of deacons. In Acts 6, we learn that even as the early church sought to care for one another’s needs, some were being overlooked. In response, the leadership of that community called seven deacons to take responsibility for this ministry. At Bel Air Church, we follow that tradition and call deacons to the ministry of compassion, witness, and service to organize and take responsibility for how we meet the needs of our congregation.

The first deacons are described in Acts 6 as being full of the Spirit and wisdom. Additionally, deacons should embody the leadership qualifications in 1 Timothy 3:1-13 and Titus 1:5-9. What Bel Air Church members come to mind for you that may be called to serve as a deacon? Please take the time to recommend women and men for nomination as deacons.