Elders in the Regulations

Regulation 3.1.10 (a) The ministry of Elder is one of spiritual oversight, and may also be exercised in pastoral visitation, teaching, encouraging members of the Congregation to share in mission, and assisting the Minister in leadership of worship and administration of the sacraments and other areas in the life of the Congregation. Elders who serve on the Church Council have a particular responsibility to ensure that matters of spiritual oversight, pastoral care and the mission of the Church have priority in the work of the Church Council.

(b) Members who held life tenure as Elders at the inauguration of the Church and have not relinquished their life tenure shall continue to be recognised as Elders.

(c) Elders holding life tenure who have not relinquished their life tenure and who have maintained continuous membership of the Congregation in which they held membership at the inauguration of the Church shall be entitled to be members of the Church Council of that Congregation.

(d) Elders holding life tenure and whose membership has been transferred to another Congregation since the inauguration of the Church may stand for election as Elders and members of Church Council under the provisions of Regulations 3.1.12, 3.1.14 and 3.1.16. They shall not be entitled to serve as Elders or members of the Church Council in the other Congregation unless they are elected.

(e) A Congregation may choose to use the term “Leader” instead of “Elder” for those fulfilling the ministry of Elder.