ELDER BOARD
Our Board of Elders provides spiritual and directional oversight for New Hope Church; implementation is entrusted to the staff under the leadership of the Lead Pastor. The board consists of 7-9 volunteer elders (4 year terms) and the Lead Pastor. See below for FAQs.
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John Rosensteel, Chad Charvat, Greg Morgansen, Sheri Phillips, Cheri Davidson, Ron Gullberg, Mark Rodgers, Dan Williams, Zach Clinard, Pat Bojinoff, Vicki Laubach
What are the qualifications?
- Above reproach - a lifestyle free from unchecked patterns of sin
- Husband of one wife - if married, must be a devoted spouse
- Temperate - self-controlled, and free from excesses
- Prudent - sensible, wise, balanced in judgment
- Respectable - demonstrate a well-ordered life
- Hospitable - generous, welcoming to all people
- Able to teach - able to communicate truth with love, grace, and clarity
- Not addicted to wine - free from addictions
- Not quick-tempered - gentle, patient, and self-controlled
- Free from the love of money – not greedy, or preoccupied with material things
- Manage own household - a well-ordered household and healthy family life
- Not a new convert/not a new believer – must demonstrate the truth of their conversion and depth of spirituality
- Good reputation with outsiders - well-respected by others
- Not self-willed - not stubborn, but servant-minded
- Loving what is good - desire the will of God in every decision
- Just - fair and impartial, based on scriptural principles
- Devout - devoted to following Jesus in every area of life
- Holding fast the faithful Word – stable, obedient to the Word of God, and guided by the Holy Spirit
How do I contact an elder?
Anyone can contact our Elder Board. You can directly e-mail our board chair Ron Gullberg by This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
The elders are always available for helping to resolve conflict following the principles of Matthew 18. If there are concerns about a member of our Senior Leadership, anyone should feel welcome to contact the elders directly.
How are Elders selected?
Gender?
Our Elder Board is open to both men and women who meet the qualifications outlined above. While this is not a core doctrine, we take the scriptures very seriously and believe they lead to the full integration of both men and women in ministry. The creation narrative paints a picture of equality; Jesus himself elevated women well beyond the cultural status they were given at the time. From Acts onward we see the Holy Spirit empowering men and women with the spiritual gift of leadership.
We understand 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1 to be descriptive rather than prescriptive; meaning, the apostle Paul was describing particular situations with the church in Ephesus and Crete, rather than prescribing a simple checklist. The original social dynamics of Paul's house churches cannot be forgotten.
Paul’s letters can easily be misunderstood and taken out of their literary and cultural context. The Bible was written for us, not to us. Therefore, we earnestly seek out the guiding principles found in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1 for the shaping of our Elder Board. See the above FAQ, “What are the qualifications?” for more detail on this.
Please This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you have any questions. For further study on the topic we highly recommend:
Two Views on Women in Ministry (Counterpoints: Bible and Theology) by Various Authors
The Blue Parakeet, 2nd Edition: Rethinking How You Read the Bible by Scot McKnight