About  Our Leadership

Westlock Gospel Chapel is led by a team of Overseers.

The Overseers 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 directs them with input from the congregation. 

Once a man becomes an Overseer, that person remains in that role until he moves away, needs a break or fails to meet the biblical qualifications.   While a person may remain in this role indefinitely, our Overseers serve in an active capacity for terms of five years, after which they take a one year break before they may become active again.  Overseers taking a break are considered Overseers on Sabbatical.

The Overseers are accountable to God, to one another and to the congregation.  Anyone in the congregation can hold them accountable according to the guidelines set out in Matthew 18:15-17 and 1 Timothy 5:19-20.

Becoming an Elder

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

  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.
  1. The one who has received the recommendation will bring it to the other Elders for consideration at one of their meetings.
  1. If, after considering the recommendation, the Elders agree that the individual does not qualify, the one who received the recommendation will let the person who made the recommendation know the Elders’ decision.
  1. 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 team.
  1. Before saying “Yes” or “No,” the candidate will be asked to:
  • Become familiar with the beliefs of the Church, its vision and the way it functions.
  • Pray about it.
  • Examine himself in light of 1 Tim. 3, Titus 1, 1 Peter 5.
  • Speak with his wife and family.
  • Meet with the Elders for an interview.
  • Attend one or two meetings.
  1. If the candidate is willing to join the team, the Elders will make this known to the congregation. Members of the congregation will be given one month to bring any concerns in writing to the Elders.  If no substantial concerns arise during that month, the candidate will be asked to join.

Meetings

The Elders & Deacons meet as a group twice a month (normally on the first and third Wednesdays) in order to pray and discuss the concerns of the Church.  At those meetings, the Elders …

  • Set Direction: Where are we going?
  • Establish Goals: What has to be done?
  • Appoint Leaders & Delegate Tasks: Who’s going to do it?
  • Hold accountable: What has been done?
  • Pastoral Matters: Who needs our attention?
  • Communication: What needs to be communicated with others?

Any member of the congregation with an question or concern, an idea or suggestion is welcome either to submit their comments in writing to the Elders, or attend one of their meetings.  Just let one of the Elders know and a time will be arranged.

Decision Making

The Elders seek to make decisions 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.

Pastoral Workers

The Elders include paid and non-paid individuals.  The paid Elders are called Pastoral Elders 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, the Pastoral Elders share an equal measure of authority with the others.  As paid workers, they are accountable to the other Elders.  Among themselves, the Pastoral Elders function as co-pastors, without hierarchical designations.

The Pastoral Elders meet regularly 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.