Our Officers
The elders (collectively known as the Session) are elected by the congregation and serve the church by providing spiritual oversight and leadership, committing themselves to shepherding, prayer, and encouragement in God’s Word.
The deacons (collectively known as the Diaconate) are also elected by the congregation and serve the church by caring for the physical needs of the congregation and by overseeing the maintenance of the church property, committing themselves to generosity and deeds of mercy.
Nominating Process
the basics
There are two offices in the Presbyterian Church in America (our denomination) to which candidates may be nominated and elected: namely, elders and deacons. The elders are responsible for the government and spiritual oversight of the church, including teaching. Only those elders who are gifted and called by God to preach, who are also seminary trained as well as approved and ordained by a PCA presbytery, may serve as “teaching elders.” Those elected by churches to aid in the governance and leadership of the church are called “ruling elders.” Deacons serve the spiritual and physical needs of the people, as well as oversee the maintenance of all church property. In accordance with Scripture, these offices are open to qualified men only (see 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1).
Each officer (elder or deacon) at LMPC serves for a three-year term and then automatically rotates off for a year of inactive service. Having rotated off, an officer may then be re-nominated and go back through training and then be re-elected to serve another three-year term following his year of inactive service.
Officer Nomination Month-by-Month
september: nominating committee
The nominating committee is formed. It is composed of eight voting members: the vice-moderator of the Session along with three elected members from the present Session, the moderator and vice-moderator from the present Diaconate, and two women elected by the Women’s Ministry Leadership Team from a Session-approved slate of 4-6 nominees. Congregation is notified that the nomination season has begun. All members are encouraged to submit names for the nominating committee to consider, either by submitting names online or requesting a slate of nominees from the church office.
october/november: slate of candidates
The nominating committee meets and prepares the slate of candidates. The primary task of the nominating committee is to prayerfully review the names submitted by the congregation with a view toward the formation of a slate of nominees who, in the opinion of the nominating committee, meet the biblical qualifications found in I Timothy 3:1-13, Titus 1:5-9, and I Peter 5:1-4. Those who may be viewed as leaders in other walks of life may or may not meet the biblical qualifications of a church officer. The committee must also consider the needs of the congregation and the duties of officers as outlined in the PCA Book of Church Order.
december: nomination meeting
A congregational meeting is held to approve the nomination of officers. Members have the option to cast a single vote (yes or no) on the entire slate, or they may choose to vote individually on each nominated candidate for office. Note: this is not the election to office—it is simply the vote for those who will become “officer candidates” and who will proceed through the training process described in the following point.
january – March: officer training
From January through March, the pastors provide intensive officer training to all officer candidates.
april/may: election meeting
Following successful completion of training and a successful interview with the Session, the election of officers by the congregation takes place in April or May. As in the December congregational meeting, members may vote to elect the entire slate, or they may choose to vote yes or no on each individual candidate.
may: ordination & installation
Elders and deacons are ordained (if they have never served in the particular office to which they have been elected) and installed, beginning their three-year terms of service in June.
Elders
Class of 2024
Glenn Breazeale
Bill Davis
Pete Frederick
Allen Jackson
Chip Kelley
Don Kent
Jason Lehn
John Plating
Miller Welborn
Class of 2025
Ross Ballenger
Stephen Barnes
Joe Donnovin
Eric Ellis
Marc Erickson
Daryl Heald
Gary Lindley
Peter Lindquist
John Stroud
David Wharton
Class of 2026
David Caines
Tad Dacus
Tommy Gifford (vice-moderator)
Larry Goodman
Derek Halvorson
Don Morton
Doug Perry
Sam Smartt
Ron Thomas
Jack Webb
Deacons
Class of 2024
Robby Bosshardt
Ryan Cleary
Mallory Dean
Alan Doak
Johnny Garth
Tom Ireland
Lee Perry
Tim Sorrell
Rob Witcher
Class of 2025
Nathan Allison
Charley Crichton
Brent Faulk
Jay Hildebrand (chair ’23-’24)
Zach Walley
Ben Wharton
Randy Wilson
Wes Young
Class of 2026
Don Bailey, Jr.
Jay Brooks (vice-chair ’23-’24)
Chuck Denham
Will Givens
Griffin Hatcliff
Carter Helm
Eddy Hilger
Paul Jacobs
Ross Shumate
Carter Young