CHURCH OVERSIGHT
AND ACCOUNTABILITY
Our Governing Elders convene biannually for a board of directors meeting. Chaired by the Senior Pastor, these meetings serve to review organizational metrics, all financials, approving capital expansion projects, and ratifying the annual budget. This team is tasked with ensuring things such as corporate compliance and providing material support of the mission and vision of Vintage Church with wisdom, insight and accountability.
Governing
Elders
Each of our locations are led by a local Lead Pastor, supported by staff and local elders who help to maintain the spiritual health of their congregations. Local elders hold a vital position within the Vintage Family of Churches, providing invaluable support to our organization and serving as spiritual leaders and subject matter experts in their respective church locations. Anchored in the biblical principles for the role, they play a vital part in nurturing the spiritual well-being of our congregations. Through their dedicated service, our family of churches thrives and continues to grow spiritually. In addition to their regular local leadership duties, they participate in a semi-annual Regional Local Elder’s meeting, held following the Board of Directors Meeting. Led by the Senior Pastor, these gatherings provide valuable insight and facilitate discussions about the overall state of the Family of Churches.
Local
Elders
About Vintage Church
About Us is a guiding document outlining our mission, vision, and strategy and provides greater detail and insights into how our family of churches are led and structured. Additionally, it includes our doctrinal statement and core strategies. All local elders work alongside their lead pastors to execute our ministry model as outlined in this document.
Local Elder Nomination & Onboarding
As a potential local elder, we want to share with you the crucial process of nomination and onboarding, which is designed to help us select the right leaders for our church, in accordance with Scripture. This three-step process involves:
Step One: To begin, they must be nominated by the lead pastor or a current member of the Local Elder Team. Once nominated, they are required to complete the “Local Elder Application Form”
Step Two: After submitting an application, it will be carefully reviewed by the Lead Pastor, and the Senior Pastor. Upon approval, they will become an elder candidate and will be asked to complete the “Local Elder Onboarding Course”; Currently this course is comprised of the content from the 2023 Vintage Conference, which provides a comprehensive introduction to the vision and values of Vintage Church
Step Three: Upon completing the onboarding course, they will need to sign the ‘Local Elder Member Agreement’ and the Local Elder “Non-Disclosure Agreement”. They will then be presented to the current elder team and subject to the congregation for a testing period of 30 days. After the testing period, if all requirements are met, they will become an active member of the Local Elder Team.
This structured process ensures that we appoint leaders who meet the biblical standards for local elders, fostering the spiritual well-being and growth of our church community.
LEARN MORE ABOUT LOCAL ELDERS
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Biblical expectations for elders emphasize their role as spiritual leaders in the congregation. Elders must embody the requirements of an overseer as described in 1 Timothy 3, which states: “An overseer, therefore, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, self-controlled, sensible, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not an excessive drinker, not a bully but gentle, not quarrelsome, not greedy. He must manage his own household competently and have his children under control with all dignity. He must not be a new convert, or he might become conceited and incur the same condemnation as the devil. Furthermore, he must have a good reputation among outsiders, so that he does not fall into disgrace and the devil’s trap.”
All Elders must be committed to Christ-like living and faithful stewards of the church community entrusted to their care.
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Local Elders focus on three essential areas of responsibility: pastoral care, specific expertise, and financial stewardship.
1. Church Unity & Pastoral Care: Local Elders assist the lead pastor and staff in addressing and resolving any issues that may arise and threaten the unity of the church. They will work to promote understanding and reconciliation among members and offer pastoral care as needed.
2. Subject Matter Expertise: Local Elders contribute their unique experience and gifts to further the church’s mission. This may involve leading Bible studies, participating in serve teams, or offering strategic insights to the Lead Pastor or staff as needed.
3. Regional Participation: All Local Elders are required to attend a regional meeting with the Senior Pastor and Lead Pastors in the Spring and Fall of each year. Following each of these regional meetings, Local Elders assist with an all-church member’s meeting to inform and inspire their local congregations.
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As a local elder, I understand the importance of regular meetings and active participation in the life of the church. I commit to the following responsibilities in this regard:
1. Meetings: I agree to attend local elder meetings. I acknowledge the importance of my presence and will make every effort to attend these meetings, recognizing that they are crucial for maintaining effective communication and collaboration among the elder team.
2. Schedule Accommodations: I understand that the lead pastor will make every effort to accommodate the schedules of all local elders when planning meetings. I commit to being flexible and working together with the lead pastor and other elders to find suitable meeting times.
3. Non-Formal Communication: I acknowledge the importance of keeping up with non-formal communication from the lead pastor, which may include texts, emails, or action items related to ongoing projects. I will make a conscious effort to promptly respond to such communication and actively engage in the tasks assigned to me.
4. Active Involvement: As a local elder, I recognize that my active involvement in the church community is essential for our collective spiritual growth and well-being. I commit to maintaining a visible presence within the congregation and engaging in church activities, ministries, and events.
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Local Elders serve at the appointment and direction of the Location Lead Pastor. While there are no term limits, Local Elders will review their terms of service with the Lead Pastor on an annual basis. Should an Elder want to resign in good standing, 30 days’ notice directly provided to the Lead Pastor is required. Should a member be removed due to a violation of any of the above expectations or for violating any policy of Vintage Church, a separate decision will be made as to whether they will be allowed to remain a member of Vintage Church. This decision will be made by the Local Elder team and approved by the Lead Pastor. Unrepentant sin, disunity, and failure to remain an active member of Vintage Church are grounds for immediate removal from the Local Elder Team and/or the church. All removals are at the sole discretion of the lead pastor and regional senior pastor. All decisions are final and once an elder has been removed for cause, they will not be allowed to be nominated and serve as an elder in the future. All elders must take seriously their commitment to lead others in the best interest of the church as led through their lead pastor under the ultimate authority of the Governing Board of Elders.
IF YOU HAVE RECEIVED A NOMINATION
COMPLETE THE APPLICATION
ONBOARDING COURSE
The Local Elders Onboarding Course is designed to provide a comprehensive introduction to the vision and values of Vintage Church. The course consists of six sessions captured at our 2023 Vintage Conference. All Elder Candidates who were not present for the 2023 Vintage Conference will be required to watch each session and provide reflections on the topics as part of the application process.
Session 1: Strength In Unity
This session focuses on the importance of unity within Spiritual Family. It emphasized compassion for the lost, acceptance of those being saved, and the necessity of teaching obedience to God’s Word. The session highlighted the perils of suppressing truth and the resultant rebellion against God. Concluding with a powerful call for a fearless church guided by the Holy Spirit, it stressed standing firm against evil, and underscored the transformative power of unity in faith.
Session 2: Setting The Table
The session begins with an introduction to the concept of the church as a spiritual family, emphasizing God’;s role as a loving father. It then delves into the metaphor of a family dinner table, using various chairs to represent different stages of spiritual growth: the Bridegroom (Jesus), the Guest Chair (new believers), the Connecting Chair (initial growth), the Serving Chair (contribution), the Growing Chair (adolescence in faith), and the Leading Chair (mature leadership). Each stage reflects a deeper connection with God and a progression in spiritual maturity, emphasizing the importance of both personal growth and serving others within the church community.
Session 3: Family Values
These values guide decisions and shape the church’s atmosphere, which is critical for creating a space for encountering Jesus. In this session we discusses the necessity of embodying these values at all levels, from the Senior Leadership to new members, highlighting that the church’s strength lies in the unity and commitment of its entire community. The values covered are, spiritual family, relational unity, servant leadership, personal discipleship, and operational excellence, each contributing to the collective goal of fostering a vibrant, value-driven community.
Session 4: House Rules
This message explores the importance of handling conflict biblically, not only for personal growth and spiritual maturity but also for maintaining unity within the church and with God. We examined biblical wisdom on resolving conflicts, including personal responsibility, honesty, understanding others’ perspectives, and extending grace. The session aimed to equip participants with practical and spiritual tools to address conflicts constructively, fostering stronger relationships and spiritual growth within the church family.
Session 5: Maturity In Christ
The session emphasizes the growth of personal Christian faith and aiding others in their spiritual journey. Key themes include the importance of connection and service as spiritual nourishment, the role of the Gospel, the Holy Spirit, and the local church in fostering faith, and confronting the challenges of entitlement, materialism, and offense. The session culminates with insights into the five mountains of growth: Faith, Family, Freedom, Finances, and Fitness, each representing a critical aspect of becoming more Christ-like.
Session 6: Empowering Leaders
The final session offers a comprehensive exploration of spiritual growth and leadership within the church. The session emphasized unity, family values, and effective interpersonal relations. It highlighted the need for compassion over empathy, focusing on proactive assistance. The discussion delved into the three categories of spiritual gifts - Gifts of the Father, Holy Spirit, and Son - emphasizing their unique roles in church leadership and individual spiritual development. The session also outlined the 5-Fold Ministry Gifts and their symbolic significance, stressing the importance of equipping church leaders to foster a mature, united, and knowledgeable congregation.