All nominees will be initially screened for church membership and Christian experience requirements. If the nominee qualifies under both categories, they will receive a letter confirming their nomination and the process to follow. Included in that letter will be:

• ​A four-page questionnaire that must be filled out and returned within two weeks of receiving it.
• A request for two reference letters to attest to the person’s spiritual maturity, leadership, and service experience.

Once the questionnaire is completed, a personal interview will be set up with the nominee and at least two elders (for elder nominees) or two deacons/deaconesses (for Diaconate nominees) to discuss the appropriateness and timing of their nomination. The reference letters are also used in this determination process. Nominees will begin training in the spring once they have been recommended to proceed. Both Diaconate and elder nominees attend this training class together. It is taught by our pastors. 

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After the training, a second personal interview and a group theological and doctrinal interview take place. The session then votes on each nominee. All nominees who are approved to stand for election will then be voted on by the congregation at the spring congregational meeting. Nominees who are voted in are then installed, typically in June, to begin their service.

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If a nominee cannot continue with the nomination process due to time constraints or other life circumstances, they may defer their nomination for up to one year. If the nominee cannot move forward with the process within the year, they will need to be renominated at a later date.

Requirements for all nominees

• For deacon and deaconess: A nominee must have been a Christian for at least three years. They must also be an active Redeemer Downtown member.
• For elder: A nominee must have been a Christian for at least three years and a Redeemer Downtown member for at least one year. Please note that an elder nominee must receive at least three nominations to enter the screening process.

Qualifications to consider

The following guidelines, though not the final word on the matter, should help as you consider possible candidates for nomination.

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Five categories of qualifications

• Calling: Calling is both inward and outward. A candidate should desire to serve and should be recognized by others as possessing the gifts and graces necessary for the task.
• Character: Though no leader can expect to be perfect, he or she must be exemplary, modeling in a consistent way the character of Christ. 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1:5-9 offer a useful summary of the character qualifications.
• Competency: God calls elders, deacons, and deaconesses to serve in distinct and varying ways. A candidate should evidence the inclination and ability to fulfill that particular biblical role.

1. Elder candidates should be able to equip and care for people spiritually, know their way around the Bible, and be able to teach it. They should be comfortable praying with people in need and should be good managers.
2. Deacon and deaconess candidates should demonstrate a practical and caring spirit. They should be willing to serve under the authority of the elders and in such a way as to free the elders to focus on their particular responsibilities. At Redeemer Downtown, deacons and deaconesses primarily advocate and care for those in need, particularly those facing financial or food insecurity. They also pray for individuals after Sunday services, assist elders in membership interviews, and examine deacon and deaconess candidates.

• Compatibility: Candidates must understand and fit into the Redeemer Downtown life and vision.
• Comprehension: Candidates must understand and accept Redeemer Downtown's convictions about theology and church government. This involves a commitment to the Bible’s authority, to the Presbyterian Church government, and to the Westminster standards.

Only members of Redeemer Downtown may nominate other Redeemer Downtown members to the Diaconate (men and women) or as elders (men only). To read the qualifications to consider before nominating someone, please scroll to the qualifications section above. If you are not a member of Redeemer Downtown and are interested in starting the membership process, please click here.