Leadership Restructure

1. What is the primary role of the Elder Council? To oversee and shepherd the body of Christ at Central, and to help determine the overarching vision for the body.
2. What is the primary role of the Governing Elder Board (GEB)? To set the vision for the church with input from the Elder Council, deal with specific operations of the Church in accordance with specific talents and support the lead pastor/elder in attaining the vision.
3. How many can serve on the Council? No limit
4. How many can serve on the GEB? 7 consisting of 6 lay elders and lead pastor/elder
5. How long is the elder council term? It is a lifetime appointment. However, one can be removed if disqualified, request a season of rest for personal/ministry reasons, or retire as age and ability determine.
6. How long is GEB term? 3 years
7. Where does the GEB come from? The GEB members are selected from the list of active, lay elders in the elder council.
8. How does one become an elder? By desiring the office and/or being asked to consider the office by congregants or the elder council. There is then an onboarding process to determine qualifications, calling, willingness, and to train and develop.
9. How does an elder serve? Elders will participate in shepherding and serving the body through a variety of means, including but not exclusively, specific ministry involvement through passion (serving as a prayer counselor, visiting the sick, etc.), participating on a standing shepherding or ministry team (i.e. theology and doctrine team, discipleship team), or by serving on a short-term team commissioned by the GEB.
10. How is this different from before? Historically the primary role of an elder at CCC was to serve a 3-year term on a governing body. Today the primary role of an elder is to serve and shepherd the body through various roles as described above.
11. What is the congregation’s role in this process? The congregation’s roles remain unchanged. They will continue to nominate prospective elders from the congregation and be asked to share any knowledge that would disqualify a person nominated.
12. How often do the GEB and elder council meet? GEB meets monthly. Elder Council meets quarterly.
13. What is the difference between a pastor and elder? Pastors are considered elders. There are only two categories of elder – vocational and lay.

For specific questions please email the elder chair at elderchariman@ccc.org.