Our Leadership

Westlock Gospel Chapel is an Elder led Church.

The Elders are a group of men who seek to meet the qualifications set out in 1 Timothy 3:1-7, Titus 1:5-9, and 1 Peter 5:1-4. Together they seek to lead the Church as God leads them and the Congregation.

Elders serve indefinite terms, until they move on, need a break, or fail to meet the qualifications of an Elder.

Anyone in the Congregation can hold an Elder accountable according to the guidelines set out in Matthew 18:15-17 and 1 Timothy 5:19-20.

Decision Making

The Elders seek to make decisions in the light of God's Word by consensus, seeking full agreement among themselves before moving forward with any decision. While this may be less efficient than majority rule in the short term, we find it more in line with God's Word and unifying in the long term.

Throughout the year, the Elders invite and seek the input of the Congregation in their decision making. They report to the Congregation at the Church's Annual General Meeting, which takes place in February of each year.

Meetings

The Elders meet as a group twice a month (normally on the first and third Wednesday) in order to pray and discuss the concerns of the Church. The Elders...

Set Direction: What are we going to do?

Establish Goals: What has to be done?

Appoint Leaders & Delegate Tasks: Who's going to do it?

Hold accountable: What has been done?

Pastoral Workers

The Elders include paid and non-paid individuals. The paid Elders are called Pastoral Workers or Pastors. They are remunerated by the Church according to 1 Timothy 5:17-18, since they carry a larger share of the work load.

As Elders, they share an equal measure of authority with the non-paid Elders. As paid workers, they report to the non-paid Elders. Among themselves, they function as co-pastors, without hierarchical designations.

The Pastoral Workers meet weekly to pray and discuss the week-to-week needs of the Church and the running of its programs.

Elders Emeritus

WGC also recognizes a number of mature leaders who once served as Elders. These individuals do not meet with the Elders on a regular basis. They are, however, informed about the Elders' discussions. The Elders consult with them when the need arises. And they make recommendations to the Elders from time to time.

Becoming an Elder

A man becomes an Elder when he is recognized by the existing Elders and the Congregation as one who meets the qualifications and does the work. Here are the steps by which a person might become an Elder:

1. Anyone in the Congregation may recommend a man to the Elders. The person making the recommendation is asked to speak to one of the existing Elders without speaking to the person they are recommending.

2. The Elder who has received the recommendation will bring it to the Elders for consideration at one of their meetings.

3. If, after considering the recommendation, the Elders agree that the individual does not qualify, the Elder who received the recommendation will let the person who made it know the Elders' decision.

4. If the Elders agree that the individual does qualify, a designated Elder will approach the candidate to let him know that he has been recommended and to ask if he will consider joining the Elders.

5. Before saying "Yes" or "No", the candidate will be asked to:

Pray about it

Examine himself in light of 1 Timothy 3, Titus 1 & 1 Peter 5

Speak with his wife and family

Meet with the Elders for an interview

Attend one or two Elders meetings

Become familiar with the beliefs of the Church, its vision and the way it functions.

6. If the candidate is willing to become an Elder, the Elders will make this known to the Congregation. Members of the Congregation will be given one month to bring their concerns in writing to the Elders. If no substantial concerns arise during that month, the candidate will be asked to join the Elders.

 

Our Deacons & Deaconesses

The Elders rely heavily on Deacons & Deaconesses for the week-to-week operation of the Church and its programs.

Deacons are men who meet the qualifications of 1 Timothy 3:8-13 and are committed to serving the Church. Deaconesses are women who meet the same qualifications and are committed to the same task.

Rather than having a single Board of Deacons and Deaconesses, at WGC we have a growing number of groups and committees of Deacons and Deaconesses. Here is the current list:

- Finance Deacons

- Building Deacons

- Women's Ministries Committee

- Sunday School Committee

- AWANA Leadership Team

- Youth Leadership Team

- Missions Committee

- Library Committee

- Music & Worship Committee

The Elders meet with the Finance Deacons, which includes the Church's treasurer, once a month in order to receive a financial report and make financial decisions.

Individual Elders act as liaisons to the other groups and committees. The Elders meet with these groups and committees as the need arises for discussion, planning and prayer.