Local Church Leadership
Elders
The elders of the church are entrusted with the spiritual oversight of the church family. Shepherding the congregation is the priority of the elders, which includes visiting church members and inquiring as to their walk with the Lord and any areas of concern for prayer and encouragement. The session is also entrusted with the task of communicating the vision of the church, which includes planning, setting of goals, making disciples, overseeing the worship of the church, and being peacemakers. Individual elders must be nominated and elected by the congregation and ordained to the office by the Session. There are two types of elders – teaching elders (ministers of the Word) and ruling elders. The elders of all the local churches, both teaching and ruling, make up the Northern New England Presbytery. The Presbytery approves all teaching and ruling elders prior to their serving in the local churches. This system of government, as defined in the Book of Church Order, provides accountability among the churches and their respective elders.
Teaching Elders: Pastor Ian Hard, Assistant Pastor Ted Ogley
Ruling Elders: Ed Cross, Steve Whitcomb
Deacons
The deacons in the church express the mercy and compassion of Christ. They care for the material and spiritual needs of the congregation. In addition, the Deacons find effective ways to minister to the social and material needs of the local community. Deacons are elected by the congregation and ordained to the office by the Elders.
Deacons: Chip Hull, Dean Jore
Support Staff
Communications Assistant: Cheryl Sprague
Regional Church Leadership – Northern New England Presbytery
The elders of the all of the local churches, both teaching and ruling, make up the Northern New England Presbytery. The Presbytery approves all teaching and ruling elders prior to their serving in the local churches. This system of government, as defined in the Book of Church Order, provides accountability among the churches and their respective elders.
National Church Leadership – General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in America
The elders of the all of the presbyteries, both teaching and ruling, make up the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in America. The General Assembly maintains the purity and sanctity of the denomination according to the Holy Bible. The denomination officers are elected from among the elders. The PCA as a denomination differs from some other Presbyterian denominations by not paying a salary to any of the elected officers, thus helping to maintain the purity of the General Assembly leadership.