We believe that God has given us a process by which to understand whom He has appointed as elders for Church of the Cove.

We are certain that through this process we will see Ephesians 3:20-21 come alive before our eyes:

Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever.

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Choosing Elders at Church of the Cove:

At Church of the Cove we believe that the Holy Spirit chooses the elders for the church and it becomes our job as the members to carefully search to identify and verify the men whom God has chosen for this responsibility.

There is no vote or “election” – simply a confirmation that the man meets the qualifications of an elder as determined by scripture in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1.

We have come to understand that these qualifications are the standards by which the current character of an elder candidate should be measured. Perfection is unattainable for mankind, but these standards are the characteristics all Christians should be striving for, particularly elders.

Whenever the Holy Spirit reveals that His timing is such to fill the need for another elder at Church of the Cove, the existing elders will begin to pray and fast to determine with clarity who within the church body is being revealed as a candidate.  The elders will also ask the members to join them in prayer and fasting, to effectively join the search for the man or men whom God has chosen.

The church body will be asked at this point to share with the elders what the Holy Spirit is revealing to them, via a written note or through a link on the church website. The elders will pray over the information shared by the church body, and as led, will interview and observe the candidate(s).

If the candidate(s) agree and understand that God is calling them to this position and are willing to accept that call and the responsibility that goes with it, the elders will present them to the church body for affirmation and schedule a special service for their appointment.