Set and guard the Mission and Vision
The Mission and Vision is a dynamic God-given directive for the Fearless Churches that require Elders to discern and oversee.   The Elders will insure that the churches are carrying out the Great Commission in our distinct way.

(Matthew 28:18-20 and Acts 15:19)

Support and oversee the Senior Pastor
The Elders will provide pastoral care to the Senior Pastor by giving encouragement, oversight and accountability.  They will insure opportunities for growth and rest, and support the Senior Pastor towards competency and personal Godliness.

(Titus 1:7, Acts 20:28, and James 3:1)

Monitor and ensure the health of the church
The Elders will actively engage with people and ministries in order to accurately feel the “pulse of the body”.  They will properly address issues that arise.

(Acts 20:28-31, 1 Peter 5:2-3, and James 5:14)

Pray and care for the body
The Elders will make it a priority to devote time at each Elder meeting to pray for the ministry.  They will also regularly intercede for and with members of the body.

(Acts 20:28-31, Philippians 4:6, Ephesians 6:18, and James 5:14)

Discipline to protect the body and restore the person
The Elders will intervene with any person causing substantial division, or greatly   compromising the mission of the church.  They will strive to amend the damage and bring reconciliation.

(Matthew 18:15-17 and Galatians 6:1)

Guard the doctrine and Biblical teaching of the church

The Elders will listen to all areas of teaching to ensure that it is Biblical and doctrinally accurate.

(Titus 1:9 and Matthew 24:24)

These qualifications are based on I Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:6-9.

• Elders must embody the vision of the collective Network of Churches.
• Elders must be members of a Network Church and regularly attend for a minimum of two years.
• Elders must be above reproach, lead by example and demonstrate a lifestyle free of patterns of sin.
• Elders, if married, must be a devoted spouse.
• Elders must be temperate, self-controlled, enslaved to nothing, free from excesses.
• Elders must be prudent, sober, sensible, wise, balanced in judgment, not given to quick, superficial decisions based on immature thinking.
• Elders must be respectable, and demonstrate a well-ordered life and honorable behavior.
• Elders must be hospitable, unselfish with their personal resources and willing to share blessing with others.
• Elders must be able to teach.  They must be able to communicate truth and sound doctrine in a non-argumentative way.
• Elders must not be addicted to wine.  They must be free from addictions and willing to limit their liberty for the sake of others.
• Elders must not be pugnacious or quick tempered.  They must be gentle, patient, and able to exercise self-control in difficult situations.
• Elders must not be contentious; not given to quarreling or selfish argumentation.
• Elders must be free from the love of money.  They must not be stingy, greedy, out for sordid gain, or preoccupied with amassing material things.
• Elders must demonstrate a commitment to manage their own household and a healthy family life.
• Elders must not be a new convert or a new believer.  They must have been Christians long enough to demonstrate the reality of their conversion and depth of their spirituality.
• Elders must have a good reputation with outsiders.   They must be well respected by unbelievers and free from hypocrisy.
• Elders must not be self-willed.  They must not be stubborn, prone to force opinions on others, or abuse authority.  They must be servants.
• Elders must love what is good.  They must desire the will of God in every decision.
• Elders must be just.  They must desire to be fair and impartial.  Their judgments must be based on scriptural principles.
• Elders must be devout.  They must be devoted Christ followers seeking to be conformed to His image.  They must be committed to prayer, worship, the study of Scripture, and the guarding of their own walk.
• Elders must hold fast to the faithful Word.  They must be stable in the faith, obedient to the Word of God, continually seeking to be controlled by the Holy Spirit.
• Elders must regularly give financially and regularly serve.
• Elders must feel called and desire to hold the office.