All members of our Leadership Council, as a whole, are ultimately responsible for the following six items in order to fulfill the purpose stated above. Within the final two responsibilities, though, there is a difference of degree of responsibility between Elders and Non-Elders on the Leadership Council—based on the specific responsibilities of Elders described in biblical texts like Acts 6:4, Acts 20:28-32, 1 Timothy 3:2, Titus 1:9, and James 5:14.

Direction:
This includes discerning and protecting the long-term mission and vision of the Church as well as articulating and approving any necessary and helpful policies for fulfilling that mission and vision—including, without limitation, presentation of the annual budget to the Membership (see Article 6) and proposal of changes to the bylaws (see Article 8) that serve the mission and vision of the Church. In addition, this includes providing wisdom, challenge, and support (as needed) to the Lead Pastor so that he and the staff are able to make the best decisions for the good of the church.

Delegation:
This includes leading the process of selecting (and, if necessary, terminating) the Lead Pastor and guiding the Church through any pastoral transitions (see Article 4). It also requires defining the general responsibilities of the Lead Pastor, conducting a regular review process, and ensuring that the Lead Pastor (and family) has the encouragement and support necessary to thrive. Additionally, it requires working with the Lead Pastor to develop and delegate authority to a Leadership Community of staff and volunteer leaders to fulfill the mission and vision of the Church (cf. Ephesians 4:11-13) (see Article 5).

Demonstration:
This includes demonstrating the kind of life we want to see lived out in our congregation—both in our individual lives and our relationships with one another. (See Article 3.1 above for Leadership Council qualifications.)

Discipleship:
This includes working with the Lead Pastor to evaluate and modify our disciple-making strategy as well as modeling a life of disciple-making. It also includes ensuring that we have a good pastoral care system for our Membership and overseeing the disciplinary process for our Membership (as articulated in Article 1.3).

Doctrine:
While all members of our Leadership Council are responsible for alignment with our “Statement of Beliefs,” Elders are specifically responsible for developing, amending, and interpreting the “Statement of Beliefs,” with the Bible as our authority (cf. 2 Timothy 3:16-17),  that will guide what is taught in all areas of our Church—from the pulpit to the children’s ministry. It will require articulating our stance on new issues as they arise, shaping our response to major cultural events in light of what we believe (as needed), and protecting our church from any heresies (old or new) that seek to divide.

Devotion:
While all members of our Leadership Council are to be committed to rhythms of prayer individually and collectively, Elders are specifically responsible for interceding for our Church together regularly, being available to pray for the sick (cf. James 5:14), and prioritizing the modeling and building of a culture of prayer throughout our Church.

Individuals must demonstrate the following minimum qualifications in order to be considered for membership on the Leadership Council and to remain on the Leadership Council once selected:

A CONSISTENT PATTERN of demonstrating the highest level of Christ-like character qualifications, as articulated in our Leadership Code of Conduct.

A COMMITMENT to our Church that has been demonstrated through attendance, serving, and giving—as well as active membership in our Church for, at least, one (1) year. The Lead Pastor is exempt from the requirement of active membership for at least one (1) year prior to serving on the Leadership Council.

A sense of CALLING to the role.

Shared doctrinal CONVICTIONS in accordance with our “Statement of Beliefs.”

No actual or perceived CONFLICT OF INTEREST—including, but not limited to, the spouse or an immediate family member (i.e., spouse, ancestors, children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and the spouses of children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren) of the Lead Pastor.

A demonstration of our leadership core COMPETENCIES at BCC—as well as different areas of expertise and gifts that will enable the Leadership Council to make wiser decisions.

CHEMISTRY with the existing members of the Leadership Council so they can be united in vision, values, and methods of ministry in an atmosphere of friendship.

Candidates will be added to the Leadership Council after careful review of their qualifications as noted above by the existing Leadership Council (see Article 3.1), recommendation of candidate(s) to the congregation by the existing Leadership Council as either an elder or non-elder members of Leadership Council, and a congregational vote to affirm the candidate(s). Members of the congregation may recommend an individual for consideration. 

The candidate may be selected to serve a six (6) to twelve (12) month trial period, in which they will meet regularly with the Leadership Council but as a trial member without the authority to vote, make motions, or hold office.

Before recommending a new Leadership Council candidate to the congregation, the candidate must be affirmed by a two-thirds (⅔) majority of the existing Leadership Council. After approval by the Leadership Council, the candidate will then be officially recommended to the congregation at least three weeks before the Annual Meeting (or Special Meeting) of the congregation.

Between recommendation and election, any Member may express approval or disapproval of the recommended candidate(s) to the Leadership Council, but must provide written commentary in person, not anonymously. The Leadership Council will take any critical comments under serious consideration. However, after thorough evaluation, the Leadership Council may still determine to recommend said candidate to the congregation and will provide their reasons to the Member who initiated the commentary.

The candidate(s) will be officially added to the Leadership Council after a two-thirds (⅔) vote of the Members at the Annual (or Special) Meeting.

For a biblical basis, please see the following the passages:

1 Timothy 3:1-7

Titus 1:5-9

Acts 20:28-32

1 Peter 5:1-4

James 5:14

Ephesians 4:11-13

For more on our governance, you can view our bylaws here.