Elders at Westover have two primary responsibilities: Governance and Teaching. Our Elders are divided into four functioning teams – Vision, Leadership, Shepherding, and Biblical Studies.

• Enact church policy, along with the Pastors, while setting the direction of the church (Acts 15:22)
• Lead, teach, and preach within the body (1 Timothy 5:17)
• Exhort and refute – protecting the Westover body from doctrinal error (Titus 1:9)
• Act as shepherds, setting an example for all (1 Peter 5:1-3)
• Devote themselves first to prayer and to the ministry of the Word, while delegating ministry assignments to gifted and qualified individuals (Acts 6:3-4)
• Interview new members, to get to know them and ensure they understand the membership commitments of Westover.

1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9 identify the biblical qualifications of an Elder.

At Westover Church, each Elder must consent to the Articles of Faith in the Westover Church Constitution. He must be a man of exemplary Christian conduct who is devoted in attendance and service to Westover Church.  He must also have served at Westover for at least one year as a Deacon.

Elders are called and appointed by God, confirmed by the church body, and ordained to shepherd the local body of believers. They are responsible for modeling biblical lifestyles. Hebrews 13:7 and 17 emphasize both the responsibility to live as an example, manifesting virtue in his lifestyle, and the church’s desire to follow this example.

On-session Elders identify qualified men and present them to the membership of Westover for confirmation each year. Elder candidates are selected by observing the life and ministry of men as they serve at Westover. There is a formal interview process with each Elder candidate. Once confirmed by the membership, Elders serve a four-year term.

The four Elder sub-teams are Vision, Leadership, Shepherding, and Biblical Studies.

The Vision Team serves to set the vision and direction of Westover Church.

The Leadership Team serves to establish, develop, and call new leaders into service at Westover Church.

The Shepherding Team serves to ensure the body of Christ is effectively shepherded and cared for.

The Biblical Studies Team serves to establish Westover’s position on a variety of theological, doctrinal, social, moral, and political issues.