Elders are elected by the members of individual United Reformed Churches, and our Elders serve this church for a period of three years before offering themselves for re-election. After serving two terms Elders stand down until re-elected.
Here Elders meet on a monthly basis to discuss all aspects of the Church’s life. Their main focus is as follows:
▪ responsibility for outreach in witness and service to the community, by liaising with non church groups using the premises, and with schools
▪ responsibility for the internal life of the Church – organising worship each Sunday; ensuring all organisations contribute to the welfare of the whole Church; nurturing children and young people’s organisations within the Church; and ensuring the Church’s finances are properly looked after
▪ together with the Minister, Elders are the link with the wider URC and other denominations locally, ensuring the local church knows about, and shares in, the concerns of the URC, both at Yorkshire Synod and nationally
▪ together with the Minister, Elders share in the pastoral care of the congregation, each taking responsibility for a group of members and friends (regular attenders at Church who are not members).