ELDERS

ELDERS are ordained laypersons (and members of the church) elected by the congregation to serve on Session, the group that governs the church, strengthens the congregation’s faith in Jesus Christ, and encourages the people in the worship and service of God.

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT ELDERS?

1 Timothy 3:1-6

This is a trustworthy saying: “If someone aspires to be a church leader,[a] he desires an honorable position.” 2 So a church leader must be a man whose life is above reproach. He must be faithful to his wife.[b] He must exercise self-control, live wisely, and have a good reputation. He must enjoy having guests in his home, and he must be able to teach. 3 He must not be a heavy drinker[c] or be violent. He must be gentle, not quarrelsome, and not love money. 4 He must manage his own family well, having children who respect and obey him. 5 For if a man cannot manage his own household, how can he take care of God’s church? 6 A church leader must not be a new believer, because he might become proud, and the devil would cause him to fall.[d] 7 Also, people outside the church must speak well of him so that he will not be disgraced and fall into the devil’s trap.

(The Presbyterian Church affirms that God calls both men and women into leadership, which is why we have male and female Elders at First Prez.)

WHAT ARE THE ELDERS’ RESPONSIBILITIES?

Pray and study the Bible regularly.
Lead and govern the church through The Session.
Strengthen and nurture the congregation’s faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Together w/ the pastor, encourage the people in the worship and service of God.

HOW ARE ELDERS & DEACONS CHOSEN?

The Nominating Team selects possible candidates from the congregation after a careful selection process and thorough prayer.
Selected names are then presented to the congregation during the Annual Congregational Meeting, where members of the church then vote.
Following approval, the new elders and deacons are ordained during the Congregational Meeting and begin serving on the Session for a 3-year term.

FIRST PREZ HONOLULU ELDERS

ELDERS for 2023: Adele Chong, Beth Fila, Tertia Freas, Bill Hicks, Karen Lee, Jeremy Lim, Patti Marshall, Kristi Maynard, Putter Meinken, Susan Murray, Tracie Perry, Deanna Sivik, Anita Tirpak, Jo Ann Wilson, and Paul Zukunft.

FIRST PREZ HONOLULU DEACONS

At First Prez we also have Deacons, who serve as “the hands and feet of Jesus” in their ministry to the congregation.

DEACONS for 2023: Kris Anderson, Danny Butler, Diann Colburn, Karen Dyke, Carol Hough Rogers, Leona Larkin, Bruce Morgan, Rene Morgan, Nate Nastase, John Nelson, Kat Nelson, Alicia Setoda, Georgine Stark, Jenny Tsukazaki, and Ken Zeri.