The ministry of an Elder is a ministry of the Word. The Word is to be faithfully administered to the Members of the Congregation in these capacities:

1. Ministry of Prayer - All Elders must commit to regularly praying for the Members of the Congregation (Acts 6:2,4), especially when they are sick (James 5:14-15).

2. Ministry of Preaching/Teaching - All Elders must function in at least some capacity in a public preaching/teaching ministry (Acts 6:2,4; 2 Timothy 4:1-2).

3. Ministry of the Ordinances - Elders will ordinarily administer the ordinances of Baptism & the Lord’s Supper, but the administration of the ordinances, especially baptism, can be rightfully administered by any Member of the Congregation in good standing (Matthew 28:18-20).

4. Ministry of Overseeing - All Elders must participate in Elder Meetings by voting on decisions for the life and health of the Church (1 Timothy 5:17).

5. Ministry of Shepherding - All Elders must serve the Members of the Congregation by faithfully shepherding the flock, which mandates prayer, public preaching/teaching, and oversight. Ordinarily, faithful shepherding of the flock will also include the regular and rightful administration of the ordinances. And when necessary, faithful shepherding of the flock may also include pastoral counsel, primarily in the areas of discipline, doctrine, conducting Membership entrance/exit interviews, training and equipping leaders, and officiating weddings and funerals. Other forms of counsel that are common in the life of the Church may include: per- marital counseling, marriage counseling, financial counseling, relational mediation, etc. These forms of counsel may be performed by an Elder, but do not always require the wisdom and doctrinal insight of an Elder, and therefore, often will be performed by the Deacons or any other mature Member of the Church (1 Peter 5:1-4).