Elders and Deacons

Steve Karvelas, Chairman

Steve was born in Lowell, Massachusetts, and lived with his grandmother while his parents ran their grocery store.  His grandparents immigrated to the United States from Greece in the early 1900’s.  His parents separated and by the age of 12  he lived in one of his dad’s buildings in a one room apartment while his sister lived in a bigger unit downstairs. Being left to his own devices he stated down a path of self destruction until his sister started telling him about the rapture and its meaning.  Her friend started sharing the Scripture with him at a Bible study and after a period of time he accepted Christ as his Savior. This radically changed his life. He was blessed to attend a Christian Academy in Dublin, New Hampshire his Junior and Senior year graduating in 1977. 

After graduation he attended the Burlington Bible Institute for one year of intensive Bible study.  The Lord then led him to Calvary Bible College in 1979 majoring in bible languages and minoring in aviation.  He graduated with a degree in Organizational Leadership.  He met Darlene in 1978 and they were married in the school chapel in 1979.  They had seven children but lost one through the years.  He recently retired after 25 years working for the city of Kansas City, Missouri in various capacities including being the building manager of City Hall and the Municipal complex downtown.  He also enjoyed working with the Kansas City T-Bones for 17 years doing sign work and maintenance for the complex.  He is looking forward to spending his retirement years in various ministries and getting to know and serve the believers at church.

Steve Kellepouris

Steve is an accomplished musician, former band director and high school principal at Savannah, Missouri.   He is a graduate of the University of Kansas, and is an avid KU Jayhawks fan.  In his retirement, Steve works at the Platte City branch of the Mid Continent Public Library, and substitute teaches at the Platte County R-3 schools.  He is an avid collector of sports memorabilia.  Steve is married to Greta.  They have been married for many years, have two adult children and four grandchildren.

Deacon Board

Steve Henderson

Tyler Adcock

Wayne Penner

Andrew Marks

Jack Chadwick

Jason Sullivan

Jeff McCullough

Not Pictured
Larry Hill

Elders and Deacons Qualifications

A. They are otherwise known as pastors and overseers. They are the chief leadership officers and governing body of Northwest Bible Church.

B. Responsibilities

1. General

a. Elders are responsible to shepherd and oversee the church in such a way as to fulfill the desires of the Head. (1 Peter 5:1-3; 1 Timothy 5:17).

b. Elders are responsible to shepherd and oversee the church in such a way as to bring the church individually and collectively to maturity in Jesus Christ.

2. Specific

a. Elders are responsible for the pastoral care of the church which involves preaching, teaching, protecting, caring, praying, admonishing, exhorting, disciplining, warning, and providing an example.

b. Elders are responsible for the administrative oversight of the total ministry and operation of the church.

c. Elders shall serve as Directors of the Corporation, the legal officers of the church, and as the governing authority in all spiritual and business matters pertaining to the church.

d. The Elder Board shall function as the Pulpit Committee in contacting candidates or pulpit supply during a pastoral vacancy.

C. Qualifications

1. An Elder must be a qualified, baptized, male member of Northwest Bible Church.

2. An Elder must evidence the qualifications prescribed for that office in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9 as well as the qualifications for Deacons listed in Article IV, Section 7.B.3.  (See also the additional emphases in the totality of the Pastoral Epistles and in 1 Peter 5:1-4)

D. Selection

1. Names of the candidates for eldership may be submitted to the elders, not by the candidate himself, but by another member of Northwest Bible Church or by the elders themselves.

2. The elders will be responsible for the examining and training of a candidate for eldership.

3. Upon the unanimous approval of the elders, the candidate will be recommended to the membership for a vote of affirmation. By a 75% vote of affirmation at a congregational meeting the membership will express their approval of the candidate’s qualifications and signify their recognition and submission to his shepherding and overseeing ministry.

E. Term of Office

Once set apart as an elder by the body, those who have served honorably will always have the title of Elder of the church. Only those who are active in their terms will be involved in church governance. Elders shall serve for a term of five years, at the end of which, if they feel led by the Lord and the counsel of their peers, they may serve for a second five year term. At the end of two five year terms, an elder must be off the board for a year.

An elder’s leadership role may be discontinued if he moves or desires to resign, in which case he is expected to confer openly with the other elders. He may be dismissed if he is in clear rebellion against Scripture or for reasons found in Article IV, Section 8, in which case the matter will be dealt with biblically and compassionately by the Elder Board. Each elder shall be evaluated annually by the other elders at their first scheduled meeting after the annual business meeting. An atmosphere of open communication and accountability shall prevail among the elders. Elders must submit to the counsel of their peers with regard to the need for sabbatical or resignation.

F. Number

We believe in plural elders, preferably no fewer than three, if qualified men are available. Elders are added if the church has a need.

G. Organization

Positionally, the elders will operate in equality. Functionally, they will organize themselves to include a chairman, a vice-chairman, and a secretary. Only lay elders may serve as chairman and vice- chairman of the Elder Board. Staff elders are salaried by the church; lay elders are not salaried by the church.

Deacons

A. The Board of Deacons serves under the Board of Elders to administer functions delegated by the Board of Elders.

B. Responsibilities

1. General – The Board of Deacons serves under the Board of Elders to administer functions delegated by the Board of Elders. The Deacons shall assist the Pastor and Elders in responsibility for the spiritual welfare of the church.

2. Specific – They shall be expected to be in readiness to perform any necessary calling, comforting the sick and sorrowing, checking on those who have been absent from services, and endeavoring to help those who are weak or struggling. They are responsible for maintenance and repair of the church building and grounds.

C. Qualifications

1. A deacon must be a qualified, baptized male member of Northwest Bible Church.

2. A deacon must evidence the qualifications prescribed in 1 Timothy 3:8-13 and Article IV, Section 7.

D. Term of Office

1. The deacons shall be elected at the annual business meeting of the church for the term of three years, so arranged that their terms do not expire the same year. After the completion of one full three-year term, a deacon may not be re-elected to that office until the lapse of one year.

2. A deacon’s office may be discontinued if he moves or desires to resign, in which case he is expected to confer openly with the other deacons and/or elders. He may also disqualify himself through his conduct, or for reasons found in Article IV, Section 8, in which case the matter will be dealt with biblically and compassionately by the Elder Board.

Treasurer

A. The Deacon Board shall choose a member of the finance committee who desires to serve as church treasurer.

B. Duties – The Church Treasurer shall keep record of all money received by the church. Money shall be disbursed in accordance with procedure established by the Elder and Deacon Boards. He shall render a report at the annual meeting of the church. His books shall be available to these boards at any time, and must be submitted to audit or review at the close of each fiscal year (October 1-September 30).

Other Offices

The Elder Board has the authority to make any additional appointments necessary to maintain and operate the physical functions of the church.

Nominating Committee

A. A nominating committee shall be chosen annually to present a slate to the congregation for the election of deacons. The Nominating Committee shall consist of the Pastor, one other elder, two deacons, and two members of the church (not on either the Elder or Deacon Board). These two are asked to serve by the Elders and Deacons on the Nominating Committee. Persons desiring to make suggestions concerning nominations should approach one of the Nominating Committee members as no nominations are allowed from the floor during a congregational meeting.

B. The Nominating Committee shall consider the following questions as they consider nominees for Deacon.

1. Has he confessed Christ as his personal Savior and experienced the new birth as set forth in John 3:3-6?

2. Is he in hearty agreement with the Statement of Faith and Constitution of this church?

3. Is he truly a disciple of Jesus Christ, seeking to obey God’s Word in every area of his life? Is he evidencing in his life the qualifications for leadership set forth in 1 Timothy 3, such as:

a. Is his moral conduct above reproach?

b. Has he proved himself to be a one-woman man with demonstrated faithfulness, love and honor for his wife?

c. Are things in order in his household?

d. Is he argumentative by nature?

e. Is intoxication by drugs or alcohol part of his life?

f. Is he friendly and hospitable, looking to the needs of others?

g. Has he been a disciple of Jesus Christ for a sufficient time to be grounded in his faith?

h. Does he have a solid testimony in the community?

i. Does he faithfully attend the church services?

Termination of an Officer

Any Pastor’s or officer’s service may terminate at any time if, after the Elder Board has followed the biblical steps of church discipline as specified in Matthew 18:15-17, said officer or Pastor is found to have violated scripture or to be incompetent in his position. In the question of incompetence, the Elder Board has the option of calling a confidence vote requiring two-thirds majority of the votes cast by the membership to remove the Pastor or officer. A Pastor’s resignation of at least thirty days and a maximum of sixty days notice will terminate their pastorate.

Authority of the Board

A. The Elder Board and Deacon Board shall be the church in action in the absence of a general assembly meeting of the membership and shall have authority to attend to any incidental or current business that may of necessity come before it. A majority shall constitute a quorum at any meeting of a board and the action of the majority of those present shall be official.

B. The Elders and Deacons shall have care of the physical properties and finances of the church including missionary and benevolent expenditures. They shall have no power to buy, sell, mortgage, lease, or transfer any property or assets over the value of $10,000.00 without special vote of the church authorizing such action. They shall not spend for non-budgeted expenses over the amount of $10,000 without special vote of the church authorizing such action.

The Elders and Deacons will meet as necessary to carry out their functions.

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