Left to Right: Jim Zippay, Bob Schultz, Ted Justice, Bruce Hall, Ray Leung, Mike Radigan, Doug Robinette, Terry Riggs, Tim Brown, Mark Denbow. (Not in photo: Don Hamparian, Joe Rimelspach, Tim Scholten, Pavi Thomas.)As Elders, we consider it a great privilege to serve God in this role. We are tremendously blessed that even though we come with different perspectives, we are able to speak and act in unity. We truly value the care and friendship demonstrated toward one another. In the midst of the growth and changes our church body has experienced in recent years, the Elders have worked diligently behind the scenes to provide direction, support and stability. Our responsibility is twofold: to shepherd and to oversee the church.

The heart of a shepherd is to be intimately concerned with the safety and wellbeing of the flock. We gather to pray for our church body and leadership during weekend services and at special events. We also pray for healing of those who are sick (James 5:14). Part of our shepherding role is to support our pastors & staff, including an annual review of our Senior Pastor. This time-consuming review evaluates not only what happened in the life of the church, but also our Senior Pastor’s own goals and competencies as a leader. We feel so blessed to have a man in this position who exemplifies what it means to be a lead follower!

The overseeing, or Governance, role is performed by a subset of the Elder Board. The Governance Board gives guidance to our pastors & staff by establishing “ends,” the broad organizational purposes of the church, and “limitations,” the staff’s available means to reach the ends. By monitoring the ends & limitations, the Governance Board oversees the direction of the church while at the same time allowing the pastors & directors the space they need to be effective leaders.

God has called our faith community together for a purpose, and we are in a unique position to see God do amazing things. God asks us to meet with Him and to worship. He asks us to risk and to trust Him. Heasks us to serve and extend the Kingdom of God.

Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”

What if our neighbors took Jesus up on that promise and came to our door? Let’s pray for that very thing.

Elder Board Members:

Tim Brown*
Mark Denbow
Bruce Hall*
Don Hamparian
Ted Justice*
Ray Leung
Mike Radigan*
Terry Riggs
Joe Rimelspach
Doug Robinette*
Tim Scholten*, chair
Bob Schultz*
Pavi Thomas*
Jim Zippay*

*denotes Governance Board