For the first time since 2022, we’re excited to add new elders to our elder team. Grace Church of the Valley has been committed to plural elder leadership from the beginning of our church. Plural male elder leadership is not a preference issue for us, but a convictional one. The New Testament shows us two offices most clearly. Elders, who lead the church through exemplary conduct and gifted teaching, and deacons, who serve the church through exemplary conduct and practical ministry. Titus 1:5–9; 1 Timothy 3:1–7; and 1 Peter 5:1–4 contain objective qualifications that elders must meet, and the overwhelming use of “elders” in the plural shows us the consistent practice of more than one elder in the early local church.

Plural eldership blesses our church as it provides the gifting, oversight, and leadership of multiple men. Far from standing or falling on one man, plural eldership gives our church the security of multiple leaders. Plural leadership also protects our individual elders. No one man has to feel the sole responsibility of our entire church, nor does any one elder have final authority over our whole church by himself. As our church family grows, so too does our need for the blessing and protection of multiple elders.

We are confident that Jose Alcivar, Jack Barley, James Prendergast, and Brendan Tomassian are gifted and qualified to be elders at our church. We believe the Holy Spirit makes a man an elder (Acts 20:28), but that the church is responsible to recognize that appointment. These men have already been ministering with us and during that time, they’ve been part of monthly elders’ meetings, had elder training, and been observed as they have taught and led in our church. You as a church family have provided affirmation and shaping for these men as you’ve responded to them, and we’re confident in adding them to the elder team. That confidence comes from a deliberate process, as we recognize the vital importance of which men become pastors at Grace Church.

You’re invited to give us feedback over the next month. We’d love to hear your affirmation or concerns. You can email, call, or sit down with any of the elders. On February 2, we’ll have an examination time from 12:00 to 2:30 pm in the Warehouse Great Hall that you are all welcome to attend. We’ll examine all four men together in their doctrine, philosophy of ministry, and conduct, so come to be part of that examination. On February 9, the elders will pray and lay hands on them during our morning worship service as we ordain them to be pastors. Join us in prayer and evaluation as we add these four gifted men to our elder team.