2025 Resident Membership List
September 2, 2025
Dear Church Family,
As you know, the selection of our church officers is an extremely important responsibility. Just as your Officer Nominating Committee is doing, we ask that you seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit as you place names into nomination. We are seeking nominations for Ruling Elders and Deacons.
As you pray about your nominations, please review the enclosed nomination forms. These forms delineate the qualifications for each office as outlined by Scripture. Please consider these qualifications and search the Scriptures for yourselves. It is our prayer that the Lord would speak to you through this precious time in His word.
The differences between an Elder and Deacon are related to giftedness, not a matter of spiritual maturity. A Ruling Elder is primarily called to maintain focus on the ministry of prayer and the preaching of the Word of God. Elders should be committed to and capable of seeking the mind of God for the mission and vision of this body. They should guard the Gospel message in every aspect of the life of our church, and shepherd the flock which is the body of Christ at First Presbyterian Church.
God’s Word describes the service and character of Elder as follows:
1 Timothy 3:1-7 (English Standard Version)
1The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. 2 Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3 not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. 4 He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, 5 for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God's church? 6 He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. 7 Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil.
Titus 1:6-9 (English Standard Version)
6 if anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife, and his children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination. 7 For an overseer, as God's steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, 8 but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. 9 He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.
A Deacon should be committed to partnering with the Elders and taking responsibility for the aspects of the church’s ministry entrusted to them. This is primarily a calling for the gift of service. These are distinctly different roles which call for distinctly different gifts, exercised in both offices by spiritually mature people who are called and equipped by God for a particular ministry. There are no requirements that an Elder must have previously served as a Deacon. It is quite possible that someone who has previously served as an Elder may be one who comes to your mind as having a Deacon’s heart of service.
God’s Word describes the service and character of Deacon as follows:
1 Timothy 3:8-12 (English Standard Version)
8 Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain. 9 They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. 10 And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless. 11 Their wives likewise must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things. 12 Let deacons each be the husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households well.
The Officer Nominating Committee values your input. We will review the collective nominations and after prayerful deliberation will compile a slate of nominees.
Thank you for your participation in this important responsibility of our Congregation. To God be all glory and honor, always.
The 2025 Officer Nominating Committee
Chairman, Hollis Reese, Greg Garrett, Harris York, Jim Talley, Teo Osben, Evelyn Storey, Adlynn Keith