Introduction

The Board of Elders serves in a pastoral role and directs the spiritual life of MCC. The Board consists of a Moderator and one Elder elected by each Region, all of whom serve on a full-time basis. MCC Elders are professional ministers and are authorized to perform all of the Rites and Sacraments of the church. Except for the Moderator, all Elders are elected by Regional Conferences. The Moderator is elected by the General Conference. All Elders are elected to serve for a period of six (6) years.

Qualifications of Elders

Elders may be ordained clergy or lay people who have obvious spiritual quality and leadership. Elders have a proven record of accomplishment as lay or clergy members within MCC and have successful experience in envisioning and strategic planning for the future. They must be excellent communicators, skilled motivators and teachers, self-motivated, and devoted to continuous learning. Further, Elders must be capable of understanding and working within sound fiscal guidelines, be sensitive to cultural differences, and be able and willing to embrace diversity. It is desirable that the Regions and General Conference elect members to the Board of Elders so that the Board is representative of the diversity of MCC.

Elder Responsibilities

The primary responsibility of the Board of Elders is to give pastoral leadership and care to enable MCC in our spiritual journey. The Board of Elders exercises spiritual and pastoral authority to build a shared vision for MCC, prepare MCC for the future, and set MCC’s strategic direction. The members of the Board of Elders serve as official representatives of MCC in the areas of public and community relations. The Board of Elders also makes appointments to the various MCC boards, commissions, committees, and institutions. Members of the Board of Elders do not serve at the same time as the Pastor, staff member, or Lay Delegate of a local church; as a member of the Board of Administration; or fulfill any other compensated position within MCC.

In the Case of a Vacancy on the Board of Elders…

Moderator - When there is a vacancy in the office of Moderator, the Board of Elders elects an Interim Moderator to serve until the next General Conference, when an election will be held to fill the vacancy in the office of Moderator. The person elected to fill the vacancy would serve for the number of years remaining in the Moderator’s term.

Vice-Moderator – When there is a vacancy in the office of Vice-Moderator, the Moderator appoints another member of the Board of Elders to fill the vacancy. The Moderator determines the length of time that the Vice-Moderator appointed to fill the vacancy will serve.

Elder elected by a Region – When there is a vacancy in the office of Elder elected by a Region, the Board of Elders appoints a qualified person to fill the vacancy until the next Regional Conference, when an election will be held to fill the vacancy. An Elder elected to fill a vacancy would serve for six (6) years.

Accountability

Elders elected by Regions are accountable to their respective Regions. All Elders, including the Moderator, are accountable to the Board of Elders, the MCC Bylaws, the MCC Elder’s Code of Conduct, and General Conference.

Disciplinary Procedures

Elders can/may be disciplined by the Board of Elders and also by the MCC Clergy Judiciary Process. The process for discipline by the Board of Elders is contained in MCC Bylaws Article V.D.2.e(2). The disciplinary process can be initiated by one (1) member of the clergy from each of ten (10) different churches and by the Lay Delegates representing the majority of the Lay Delegate votes from each of ten (10) different churches.

The process for discipline by the MCC Clergy Judiciary Process is contained in Addendum 2 of the MCC Bylaws (click here to visit our Governance page and download a copy of the bylaws).

The Board of Elders may remove an Elder either as an outcome of the disciplinary process, an outcome of the MCC Clergy Judiciary Process, or if the Board of Elders determines that an Elder is unable or unwilling to fulfill the responsibilities of the position. A decision to remove an Elder requires a vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the full Board of Elders.

Election/Selection

The Moderator is elected by General Conference. All other Elders are elected by their respective Regional Conferences. A 5-person Elders Nominating Committee is responsible for actively soliciting candidates, reviewing all applications, and selecting qualified candidates. Each Region elects a 3-person Regional Nominating Facilitating Committee to support the work of the Elders Nominating Committee and facilitate the regional consultation and election processes.

Moderator - The Elders Nominating Committee reviews all applications and presents a list of qualified candidates to each Regional Conference for nomination. Each Regional Conference votes on the list of qualified candidates in order to select up to two (2) names to be nominated by the Region. To qualify as a nominee, a candidate must be selected by at least two (2) Regions.

Elders elected by Regions - The Elders Nominating Committee reviews all applications and presents one (1) nominee to the Regional Conference for election. If the Regional Conference does not elect the nominee, the Elders Nominating Committee may present another nominee to the Regional Conference for election. If the Regional Conference does not elect the other nominee or if the Elders Nominating Committee does not present another nominee to the Regional Conference, the Board of Elders appoints someone to serve until the next Regional Conference.

Process for Electing a Regional Elder

Regional Elders are elected.  Their nominations are brought forth through a process engaging the Elder Nominating Committee (ENC) and Regional Nominating Facilitating Committee (RNFC).  Guidelines for nominations are set forth in the document below:

Guidelines for Elders Nominating Committee and Regional Nominating Facilitating Committees
(Updated 2008)

Meeting Minutes Archive

Shown below are the Minutes from Meetings of the Board of Elders. The Board of Elders normally holds official meetings just three times a year.  In addition to holding its official meetings, the members of the Board of Elders also gather at least monthly via conference call for informal work sessions.

The content of work session conversations is appropriately not recorded as Minutes. From time to time during a work session, the Elders do make official decisions. Whenever this happens during a work session, the official decision is recorded in Minutes and posted here.

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