ELDER, DEACON, AND DEACONESS NOMINATIONS

FAQ's:

Term Details -

• Elders serve for a three-year term
• Deacons / Deaconesses serve for a two-year term
• Incomplete nominations (nominations without completing the checklist or with little comment) will not be counted.
• Current leaders finishing their first term need to be renominated and invited to serve a consecutive (final) term before a mandatory one-year break for the same office. The results will be compiled by the leadership board, who prayerfully decide who is to be invited to be a leader.
• A current leader of an office may be nominated for another office. (e.g. a current deacon may be nominated to be an elder)

Why do I not see someone's name in a drop-down list?
There are various reasons. Someone may have attended LHBC for years, but not be a formal member. Someone may have served two consecutive terms and must take a required one-year break. All Elders must have been formal members for 2+ years by January 2026, and all Deacons & Deaconesses must have been formal members for 1+ years by January 2026 to qualify. Perhaps a member is no longer attending LHBC. For any of these reasons, someone may not be on the eligibility list.

If I nominate someone, will they automatically be invited to be a church leader?
No. The Elder board prayerfully vets all nominations before extending an invitation to a candidate. All positions of Elders, Deacons, and Deaconesses require full agreement with the Statements of Faith as outlined in our bylaws. Names of vetted candidates who have accepted their invitation will be publicly posted for two weeks in the e-news and bulletin for anyone to comment on before they are formally accepted.

How can I further understand the process, including special exceptions?  
Details are in our bylaws and the membership class materials, or you may ask an Elder.