Officer Nominations

Dear Covenant Presbyterian Church family,

The Session has approved a time of nomination for new church officers. This nomination period will begin October 11 and close on November 1. The following is information about the process that we trust will help you.

Officers in the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) include deacons and elders. Teaching elders are Pastors; “ruling elders” are lay persons elected by the congregation from among the church membership. Becoming an ordained officer is a perpetual (life-long) calling. To be called as a deacon or elder demands more than natural abilities. It involves God’s Spirit at work in a man’s life, not only recognized by the officer nominee (internal calling) but also by the church and her elders (external calling). It is not based on vocational achievements or other outward attributes; rather, the work of an officer should flow from a heart already inclined to and even performing such work in the church. Identifying, preparing, and electing men for church office must be a process led by the Holy Spirit.

The election process includes six steps: nomination, interviews, training, examination, election, and ordination/installation. Men nominated by the congregation will be reviewed by the Session (current elders) to verify active membership, interviewed to assess their qualifications and willingness to consider God’s call, and then participate in officer training. They will be trained and examined regarding knowledge of Scripture and theology, agreement with the system of doctrine expressed in the Westminster Confession of Faith and Catechisms, and Christian character. Those completing this process will then be presented to the congregation for election. We expect new officers to be installed Fall of 2027.

Any communing member of Covenant Presbyterian Church may nominate a man for office. At a minimum, the nominee must be a member of Covenant and meet the biblical qualifications for office. It is recommended that the duration of time a man has been a Christian and a member of Covenant be considered. You will be asked to respond to some questions regarding each nomination.

To assist you in the process and to explain the steps of the officer nomination and election, we are providing an Officer Nomination booklet that will be available at the church and online. The following information is included in the booklet:

• Biblical passages that describe the qualifications for elders and deacons;
• Explanation and examples of the biblical qualifications;
• Description of the responsibilities and ministries of deacons and elders from the PCA Book of Church Order (BCO);
• Interview questions on Christian experience that each officer nominee will be asked by the Session;
• Officer nomination form.

Whether you would like to nominate a man for office or not, we encourage you to carefully read through this information. Prayerfully evaluate nominees within a biblical framework, to the best of your knowledge. Evaluate with a heart tender toward God, attending to your own conscience, laying aside personal bias, and prayerfully seeking His leading before submitting a nomination.

The nomination period will last approximately three weeks so there is no need to rush. On the other hand, we suggest not waiting until the last minute. As you consider these things, please pray for the current (and future) elders and deacons as we enter this important time in the life of our church. Please reach out to a current church officer if you have questions.

Yours in Christ,
Covenant Presbyterian Church Session
October 2026