Training Our Elders: An Update!

In the early months of 2025, we opened a round of nominations for new elders. Your nominations resulted in a slate of three candidates who entered a period of training and discernment.

The candidates have undergone eight sessions of training in Reformed theology through the Westminster Confession of Faith, as well as eight sessions in urban church ministry through Tim Keller’s Center Church. They have each had to prepare lesson plans on the Biblical qualifications of elders. They have also read and discussed a book about God’s design for church elders.

They are now entering the final phase of training, during which they will be trained in Biblical peacemaking and principles of church government. Their training will wrap up mid-July.

Immediately following their training, the candidates will enter a season of discernment and examination, during which they will be examined in personal character and family management, knowledge of the Bible, knowledge of church government, duties of a church elder, and their willingness to assume the solemn vows of a church officer (The PCA Book of Church Order 24-6). The examinations will likely wrap up by mid-September.

At that point, Lord willing, we will announce the candidates who are eligible for election. And 30 days after the announcement, we will hold a congregational meeting to elect new elders. We suspect that this will take place mid- to late-October 2026.

New City, please pray for these candidates and their families as we enter the final stretch of their training, discernment, and examination, that the Spirit will prepare their hearts and minds, that the Session will be clear and fair-minded about their fitness, and that the Lord will unite our hearts in love and passion for his church, the Bride of Christ.

Thanks, Church!

Moses, on behalf of the New City Session