The Nomination Committee annually elects and ordains a board of Elders and Deacons to support our church and help us follow Jesus every day and everywhere with everyone.

What is a deacon?

Over the last few years we have learned the importance of community. Not just for the purpose of being around people in proximity, but for what true community provides. In our real need to know we’re not on our own. we need others support, encourage, and pray with us. To come alongside me. God designed us to be in community. As a the church One of the ways we care for one another is through the ministry of deacons. You might not have heard that word deacon or know what that means. Deacon comes from the Greek word diákonos which simply means servant, or table waiter. It comes from the Book of Acts chapter 6. In that book and chapter, we learn that in the early church they were looking after one another’s needs. There was a real problem in that community, people’s real and felt needs weren’t being met. The leadership of that community called six deacons to serve the community. At Bel Air Church we do the same. We know that there are needs within our community. We are calling women and men into the role of deacons to serve this body. If you look in Acts 6, a deacon is well thought of. They’re filled with the Holy Spirit and they have common sense. As you hear that description, someone who’s compassionate, someone who’s sympathetic, who are the women and men that come to mind for you? Who are they that you know within the Bel Air Church community that you would think of, “you know, that person would really make a great deacon”? I want you to write their name down because we are in a season of elections. We need you to participate! Recommend those people you just wrote down to become a deacon at Bel Air Church. Nominating deacons is the work of the church and you are the church. This is the church at work.

What is an elder?

Our church, much like our city, is governed by a group of women and men known as a session. The session is made up of a group of elders. These women and men are known as Elders, not because of their age, but rather because of their responsibility. They are responsible for governing the church in areas of finance, worship, and spiritual discernment. In a nutshell, these women and men discern the Spirit of God for the governance of God’s people. Listen to scripture, DESCRIBING an elder: A paraphrase of 1 Timothy 3 says, “If anyone wants to provide leadership in the church, good! But there are preconditions. A leader must be well thought of. If married, committed to their spouse. They must be cool and collected, accessible, and hospitable. They must know what they’re talking about, not be over fond of wine, not pushy but gentle. Not thin-skinned, not money-hungry, and handle their own affairs well. If a parent, attentive to their own children and having their respect. If someone is unable to handle their own affairs, how can they take care of God’s church? They must not be a new believer and those outside the church must think well of them.  As you hear scripture, who are the women and men that come to mind for you? Who are the people in our own congregation who you can nominate to be an elder for the class of 2026?  We need your participation. Your voice matters, you are the church.  The church isn’t a building, a location, nor an hour on Sunday, you are the church and we need you to participate in this important process. As you share your voice, it allows the entirety of the community to be represented so that the entirety of the body of Christ is made well and made whole.  Recommend someone, take those names you wrote down and nominate them to be an Elder.  We need you! Nominating elders is the work of the church. This is the church at work.