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. 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.