Our Nominated Elders

Stan Ezell, David Solomon, Bill Prady, Randy Gott and Joe Ivey are ordained as elders on June 1, 2014.

Ted Clark – Five Men Chosen to Join Eldership at Harpeth Hills (audio) – May 18, 2014

Listen to Lessons on the Selection Process

Chris Smith – The Elder Selection Process (Part 1; audio) – March 23, 2014
Chris Smith – The Elder Selection Process (Part 2; audio) – March 26, 2014

Thanks to Jeff McCormack and Randy Hooper

Last Sunday Randy Hooper and Jeff McCormack announced that they are stepping down as elders. Randy served as one of our shepherds for eleven years and especially enjoyed working with our new members and Life Groups. Randy and Mary Ann are continuing to worship at Harpeth Hills and serve in various ministry roles. Jeff served as a shepherd for three years and especially enjoyed working with Single Focus, technology and Let’s Start Talking. As of July 1, Jeff is the new dean for the College of Natural and Health Sciences at Oklahoma Christian University. Jeff and Tina have worshiped with the Harpeth Hills family for 16 years and served us in various teaching and ministry roles. We are so thankful for Randy and Jeff’s compassionate and dedicated service to this family.

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The following was sent to the congregation on March 17, 2014:

Harpeth Hills is blessed in that we enjoy a spirit of unity and strong, healthy leadership which is broad-based. We are blessed with an outstanding group of coordinating deacons. We thank God constantly for the quality and devotion of our ministerial staff. Leaders who serve our Life Groups bless our lives. Youth coaches nurture our teenagers. Gifted teachers commit themselves to the spiritual training of the entire body at Harpeth Hills, from the youngest to the oldest. Leadership is crucial, and we are richly blessed with all these and many others who give of themselves as servant leaders.

As elders, we regularly review our needs as leaders. Time and individual life circumstances have brought change since we last added shepherds in 2011. We believe that it is time again to add to our number. This past Sunday Paul Cates made the following announcement:

“The elders recently discussed a need to add to our number so that we can more adequately carry out the work our Lord assigns to elders. It seems that every few years, sufficient change occurs in our individual lives and in the life of the church that it is advisable to add to our number. We feel that this is an appropriate time to do so again.

When we last added men to the eldership of this congregation, we asked you to help us in selecting a few men to add to our eldership. Once again, we ask that you join with us in selecting a few men who will come alongside those of us who will continue serving, to carry on the service of shepherding.

Next Sunday, Chris will teach a class on the qualifications of elders for all the adults. This class will meet in the auditorium.

We are mailing a letter to every member this week requesting that you submit the names of up to five men you deem to be most qualified to serve as elders. Submit those names no later than Sunday, April 6. Please give prayerful consideration to your recommendation. Choose men you know to be spiritual, who meet the Apostle Paul’s list of qualities – Godly men of character, courage and humility, with the commitment and competence to lead the flock.

The present elders are not formulating any opinions about whom God will or will not call through this process. Change in a leadership group is always a cause for adaptation and accommodation, and for some anxiety. But we trust confidently that our Father will work His will through you to raise up men with servant hearts, who highly value the unity the Holy Spirit gives.

The letter you will receive outlines the process and schedule we are following. If you have questions or comments, please talk to any of the elders.”

Enclosed with the letter is an “elder selection” card. After prayerfully considering the qualities of a good shepherd, please submit your recommendations. Sign your card and give it to an elder or place it in the locked box in the Welcome Center. Alternatively, you may mail it to the attention of the elders at the church address. The deadline for submitting your recommendations is Sunday, April 6.

The elders will review and prayerfully consider your recommendations the week of April 6. Then we will begin the process of interviewing and determining willingness to serve. The names of those selected will be presented to the congregation in mid-May, with a period of two weeks for the elders to receive feedback. We request that any expression of concern regarding qualification be presented to the elders in writing and signed, so that it is addressed scripturally.

While we need not put a hard deadline on this process, we hope it is completed and the new elders are formally ordained by Sunday, June 1.

We pray that this is a process led by the Holy Spirit and will glorify the Father.

Because of Jesus, Your Elders