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Nominating Leaders
The belief that the people of God are called to be leaders is at the heart of the Presbyterian way.
In our form of government, church members choose leaders to represent them.
Jump down to:
Session
Deacons
Trustees
Chicago Lights Board
Nominating Committee Members
The Work of the Committee
Who can serve as an officer of Fourth Church?
Each leadership candidate for office must be a member of Fourth Church for at least one year and demonstrate faithful participation in both worship and the life of our church, and financial stewardship, by pledging and contributing to the ministry and mission of Fourth Church. At Fourth Church, a member may not serve consecutive terms on the same board.
Who can submit a recommendation?
Any member of Fourth Church can do so.
Can I recommend myself?
Yes, self-recommendations are welcome and encouraged! Whether you have served before or would be a new leader, the committee welcomes your self-recommendation.
What about recommending others?
The Nominating Committee encourages you to recommend one or more person. If you are recommending someone, please consider discussing your recommendation with the candidate to determine his or her willingness and ability to serve.
What is the time commitment for an officer?
The commitment varies by individual, but the average time commitment is about eight hours per month.
All church officers attend monthly meetings and serve on or lead one or more committees. Adults are elected for three-year terms. Prior to ordination and installation, newly elected officers are required to attend training, which includes a daylong antiracism training.
Session
The Session, which is the governing body of the church, provides oversight for the wide-ranging and growing church programs. The Pastor is the moderator of the Session.
Ruling elders are so named because “they are chosen by the congregation to discern and measure its fidelity to the Word of God, and to strengthen and nurture its faith and life.” The Presbyterian Church (USA) Book of Order advises congregations to “elect persons of wisdom and maturity of faith, having demonstrated skills in leadership and being compassionate in spirit.”
The Session is responsible for providing for worship and the administration of the Sacraments: Baptism and Communion; receiving new members; leading the congregation in mission; providing for educational ministry, pastoral care, and fellowship opportunities; and stewardship.
Particular responsibilities include
Each year 12 adults are elected to serve a 3-year term of service.
Additionally 2 youth elders are elected each year to serve a 1-year term. Generally youths are elected during their junior year of high school and serve during their senior year. A youth elder is a full-fledged member of the session, attending monthly meetings and serving on a committee.
Deacons
Deacons are the caregivers of the congregation, the heart of the church. “The office of deacon as set forth in Scripture is one of sympathy, witness and service after the example of Jesus Christ. . . . It is the duty of deacons, first of all, to minister to those who are in need, to the sick, to the friendless, and to any who may be in distress both within and beyond the community of faith” (Presbyterian Church (USA) Book of Order, G-6).
At Fourth Church, Deacons care for members and friends of the church as well as engage in outreach mission activities and tend to a variety of day-to-day activities related to worship and congregational care.
Responsibilities include
Each year 16 adults are elected to serve a 3-year term of service.
Additionally, 2 youth deacons are elected each year to serve a 1-year term. Generally youth are elected during their junior year of high school and serve during their senior year. Youth deacons attend monthly meetings and fulfill Deacon Volunteer Opportunities.
Trustees
The Board of Trustees answers to the Session and is entrusted to manage the church’s financial and physical resources, including the endowment.
A demonstrated commitment to and knowledge of Fourth Church plus all-around management skills and experience are desired. Professions that provide valuable experience and expertise include attorneys and paralegals with broad backgrounds; investment and accounting professionals; property and operations management professionals with experience in building management, real estate, and systems; human resource professionals; experience in grant-writing and fundraising; and business professionals with broad experience in all aspects of operating a business.
Responsibilities include
Each year 7 adults are elected to serve a 3-year term of service.
Chicago Lights Board
The Chicago Lights Board of Directors is the governing body of Chicago Lights. The board’s responsibilities include setting the policy and strategic direction of Chicago Lights and serving as a public figure for the organization. The board also monitors the operations and oversees the financial stability of Chicago Lights.
Responsibilities include
Each board member serves a 3-year term.
At-Large Nominating Committee Members
The Nominating Committee is a joint committee of Session, Deacons, and Trustees and is charged to search for and select active members of the congregation to serve as church officers and to ensure that the officer candidates reflect the rich diversity of the congregation’s membership. As needed, the committee also slates nominees for pastor nominating committees.
Nominating Committee members have demonstrated a commitment to Fourth Presbyterian Church through active participation in various ministries and are familiar with a wide range of church members. Prior experience serving as an officer of Fourth Church is desirable but not required.
Responsibilities include
Each year 7 adult at-large members of the congregation are elected to serve a 1-year term of service.
The Work of the Nominating Committee
Elected by the congregation at its annual meeting in February, the Nominating Committee begins its work soon after the newest class of officers is typically ordained and installed in May.
Committee Responsibilities
Every year the committee is responsible for nominating forty-six members of Fourth Church to serve three-year terms in office:
Nominating Committee Composition
2022–2023 Nominating Committee Members
For additional information about recommending individuals for church leadership, please contact the Nominating Committee by email.
