I had a wonderful conversation during Coffee Hour as a congregant described her faith journey. She grew up in a fundamentalist tradition and appreciated the community and opportunities to participate in the life of the church. She taught and led youth at retreats and Bible studies. But, unable to reconcile the prohibition of women from leadership and the exclusion of LGBTQ, she parted ways with the community.

Many years later, she rediscovered church. Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church felt different to her. She appreciated how “big the table” was here. At Fifth Avenue, her journey of life and faith began anew.

She was invited and encouraged by friends to attend the membership class, Believing and Belonging. She asked what the class entails. The short answer: The class guides prospective members to explore questions like: Who are we? What do we believe? What does it mean to be Presbyterian? What does it mean to be a member?

Believing and belonging

Believing and Belonging is one of the many “starting points” in the journey of life and faith. Members are encouraged to engage in the life-giving and life-changing ministries at Fifth Avenue. It is through greater engagement that members’ abilities and gifts are witnessed and recognized by others in our congregation.

Attentive to the gifts in our community, members can nominate other members to serve as an officer of the church. Or, if an individual is so moved, they can nominate themselves.

The Fifth Avenue Nominating Committee reviews the needs of the congregation along with the gifts of the nominated members. With the conviction that “to each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good (1 Corinthians 12:7),” the committee prayerfully discerns and presents candidates to the congregation to vote and affirm God’s calling.

Once approved, the officers continue their spiritual journey by taking officer training classes. An officer’s term is three years of service on one of the three boards: the Board of Deacons as a deacon, on the Session as an elder, or on the Board of Trustees as a trustee.

Compassion and service

The ministry of the deacons is summarized by compassion and service. They care for members through prayer and visitation, participate in worship by collecting the offering and serving communion, and greet members and visitors following worship. Ten members are called each year to join the Board of Deacons. They meet monthly during the program year, and each deacon participates on at least one committee.

Discernment and governance

The ministry of the elders is summarized by discernment and governance. Together with the clergy, elders exercise leadership, government, spiritual discernment, and discipline. Elders collect the offering and serve communion during worship. Eight members are called each year to join the Session. They meet monthly during the program year and each elder serves on at least one committee.
Finance and civil affairs

The ministry of the trustees is summarized by finance and civil affairs. Trustees are fiduciaries of the church. Trustees have joint responsibilities with the Session for the budget and personnel of the church. Six individuals are called each year to join the Board of Trustees. They meet monthly during the program year and each trustee serves on at least one committee.

Blessing the body

Why should you consider serving as a church officer? Because of the good that comes from it for the body and for you, the individual. You will grow in faith and knowledge and you will be a blessing to the larger community.

As we head into nomination season, let us get to work in blessing the body of Christ, on the corner of Fifth Avenue and Fifty-fifth Street, and beyond! You can get involved in two ways: 1) pray that God will open the hearts and eyes of those in this congregation and 2) look around and have a conversation with your neighbor. Point out their skills and abilities and how they might serve the church.

Lastly, if someone identifies something special in you, it might be a “God-thing” so consider saying, “Yes.”

Nominations are collected year-round. You can make a nomination at fapc.org/officer-elections. In all of this, the Spirit will be at work to bring glory to God through the diversity of gifts at Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church. May it be so!