What Does it Mean to be an Elder?

Redeemer’s Elders cares for the flock and oversees the Church’s mission, vision, doctrine, leadership structure, and finances.

How Does Someone Become an Elder?

The first step is being selected for the Leadership Cohort. The leadership cohort exists to help participants develop the essential qualities of a godly leader.  In the New Testament, we see the fullest expression of godly leadership in the men selected to be elders (1 Timothy 3, Titus 1). While not every participant will necessarily become an elder, we believe that the cohort experience will help men make progress in their personal leadership development and gain a richer vision for leadership in the church. 


The Leadership Cohort is one of four phases in the elder identification process. These phases are:  

  1. Preliminary Phase
  2. Leadership Cohort
  3. Candidate Phase 
  4. Commissioning Phase
Here’s what happens in each phase:
Preliminary Phase

The current elders seek the Lord for His wisdom and guidance in identifying godly men with leadership potential. When evaluating a potential elder, we look for the "3M’s”:

  • Maturity: General maturity and spiritual maturity.
  • Marriage: The health of the marriage and the maturity of the spouse. If there is not a ministry at home, then there is not a ministry with others.
  • Margin: Enough available time to fulfill the requirements of being an Elder.

After identifying men of interest, the elders formally invite each man to join the Leadership Cohort.

Leadership Cohort

The elder team will walk through an extensive process with them, including the following:

  • Cohort participants will meet every week to grow in their understanding of the role of leaders in a local church. Cohort meetings continue monthly for 10 months. Participants should plan to attend every meeting. 
  • Personal meetings.
  • Spending time with their family, community, and business associates.
  • Staff feedback.
  • Church body feedback.
Candidate Phase

After completing the cohort phase, some participants may aspire to become an elder. If so, the candidate (and his wife if married) will complete questionnaires and solicit three references.  

The elders will meet with the participant and his wife for a face-to-face assessment. Additional meetings may be required to determine fit, leadership capacity, and style as needed

The elders will decide whether the cohort participant should move forward as an elder candidate.  If not, the elders will continue to coach the man with the hopes of launching him in another ministry direction.

The elder candidate will begin attending elder meetings and serving in an advisory capacity. This period may last three to six months. 

The candidate will be presented to the church during a worship service in the following manner:

  • The candidate is introduced by an elder who explains the process to this point.
  • The candidate shares briefly about his spiritual life, family, etc.
  • The church will be brought into the process for confirmation of the elder candidate by being given two weeks to meet with the candidate and address any concerns about the particular candidate. If the concern is not resolved, then the issue will be brought to the elders. 

The present elders will officially vote on the candidate. If the candidate is approved, commissioning for the newly selected elder will be scheduled.

Commissioning Phase

The new elder(s) will be commissioned at a Sunday morning service.  He and his family will be brought up at each service so we can celebrate and pray for them.