Mountain View Church of the Brethren is a congregational church built around a representative structure where the congregation elects its leadership. Our goal is to help each person know the Lord, discover their Spirit-given gift, and engage it fully – so that one day they will hear, “Well done, good and faithful servant!”
Congregational Structure
Mountain View is a congregational church. Our organizational constitution is built around a representative structure where the congregation elects a board of five, called the Elder Board. Every Member or Active Attendee over 15 years of age is entitled to one vote in matters brought before the congregation. The congregation is understood to be the final visible authority, electing and confirming all Officers: Elders, Deacons, Directors, and the Moderator.
Leadership Roles
Elder Board
The congregation elects a rotating body of five people who each serve three-year terms. Every year one or two are elected or re-elected by the congregation. The Elder Board carries overall responsibility to the Lord for the leadership and care of the church, handling business matters, legal transactions, and any problems within the fellowship. No one Elder may act alone on a substantive issue without a majority vote of the full board.
Pastor
The pastor is an ordained minister responsible for preaching and spiritual teaching from the pulpit. He addresses the needs of the congregation as he feels led by the Lord, and develops personal relationships throughout the fellowship. For constitutional purposes, a Senior Pastor is considered an Elder and a member of the Elder Board.
Deacons
The deacon body deals with the needs of those within and without the church. Five primary areas of ministry include: Advocacy and Support; Discipleship and Hospitality; Health and Healing; Unity and Reconciliation; and oversight of baptism, communion, and love feasts. Deacons serve up to three-year terms and must be affirmed by the congregation.
Directors
Directors are appointed by the Elder Board for specific functions based on their faith, character, skill, experience, and passion. Areas may include Evangelism, Sunday School, Building and Grounds, Music Ministries, Financial Administration, and other ministries. Directors serve one-year terms and may be reappointed by the Elder Board.
Moderator
The Moderator administers all Congregational Meetings and is called on to break any tie votes on the Elder Board. The Moderator should exhibit Christ-like qualities including love, wisdom, graciousness, faithfulness, and skill in consensus building and discernment. The Moderator serves a one-year term and may be re-nominated and reconfirmed.
Sunday School & Bible Study
There are several Sunday school teachers and home Bible studies, led by those who rightly teach the Word of God. All are encouraged to attend a Sunday school of their choice. This is where in-depth growth is gained in the overall knowledge of Scripture and the application of the Lord’s character and work in one’s life.
Membership
This congregation holds that official membership is an outward sign of commitment to mutual accountability. A Member is one who professes faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, holds allegiance to Him in life and conduct, and has been formally received into the church. Persons may become Members through:
- Baptism as practiced by the Church of the Brethren
- Letter of transfer and reaffirmation of faith
- Open confession of faith and submission to the Lord Jesus Christ
The congregation also recognizes Active Attendees – those who regularly attend services or Sunday school, have confessed Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, and hold no beliefs in conflict with the congregation’s cardinal beliefs. Both Members and Active Attendees over the age of 15 are entitled to vote in matters brought before the congregation.
How Leadership Is Selected
Elders are selected through a careful, prayerful nominating process designed to ensure integrity and broad congregational representation:
- Nominating Committee formed – Members or Active Attendees who are not current Elders or candidates form the committee, announced at each worship service.
- Prayerful consideration – The committee seeks the Lord’s guidance, identifying those of strong character, reputation, and calling from across all ministries of the church.
- Preliminary list reviewed by Elder Board – The confidential candidate list is submitted to the Elder Board for approval before any candidates are contacted.
- Candidate interviews – The committee interviews approved candidates in depth, evaluating character, gifts, and commitment against a scriptural Qualification Checklist drawn from 1 Timothy and Titus.
- Congregational input – Candidates are announced to the congregation for comment through the weekly bulletin and from the pulpit, with at least one week’s notice.
- Congregational vote – Final candidates are presented at a Congregational Meeting. The top vote-receivers are confirmed as the congregation’s selection.
Congregational Meetings
A Congregational Meeting is held at least once a year and may be called at any time by the Moderator, the Elder Board, or ten or more church members (with a minimum of two weeks’ notice). All meetings are conducted in accordance with Robert’s Rules of Order and are separate from the Worship Service.
Congregational Meetings are a place of open dialogue where those present can hear reports, discuss new ideas, envision and approve goals, confirm budgets, vote on policy matters, and record the voice of the congregation on issues where Christian witness is urgent.
Our Operational Constitution
The full text of the Mountain View Church of the Brethren Constitution sets out the complete polity, membership requirements, officer qualifications, nominating process, and amendment procedure for our congregation.