Monthly Minute with Pastor Andrew

Hello to all the Monthly Minute readers of West Hempfield Presbyterian Church!

Each February we install and ordain new church officers during worship. This year that will be happening on February 9.

Each year at our Annual Congregational Meeting, the congregation elects the new class of elders and deacons, usually based on the recommendation of the Nominating Committee.

Then, in February, we celebrate that election. As a part of worship, acknowledging that the work they do as leaders of WHPC is a service and a form of worship to the Lord who called them, we install the new class of elders and deacons.

Elders and deacons are typically installed to three-year terms. They can serve two consecutive terms (if so elected by the congregation), but at the completion of the second term, they must take at least one year off. 

This one year off serves several purposes. First, like the biblical day of Sabbath from the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:8-11 Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God.), it is a well deserved rest. Six years of service, but the seventh year is a sabbath to Lord your God. Second, the ending of one person’s term of service allows the opportunity for someone new to step up into service. This offers both opportunities for maturity and growth for the new person and opportunities for new energy and ideas for the church boards.

This year, we won’t see any ordinations because everyone coming into the new class of elders and deacons has already serviced in the position at one time or another in their history with the church. Therefore, they are already ordained.

However, I think that it is worth noting that, like ministers, elders and deacons are ordained positions, called by God and affirmed by the congregation.

While ministers show gifts for teaching, preaching, and administering the sacraments, ruling elders and deacons show gifts unique to their roles in the life of their congregation.

Ruling elders have responsibilities in leadership, governance, and worship. They discern God’s calling for the life of a congregation and measure its faithfulness to that call.

Deacons embody acts of care, compassion, and service. While they often undertake ministries of feeding, visitation, prayer, and hospitality, they can also fulfill other acts of service within the church and its surrounding community.

Thank you to all of our fantastic leaders at WHPC, past and present.

Blessings,   Rev. Andrew Wirt