Elders & Deacons — First Evangelical Church

Elders and Deacons

As a non-denominational church, we are governed by a Church Council that is made up of the combined Session and the Board of Deacons.

The Session is made up of the currently seated elders and the Senior Pastor. These seated elders, usually between twelve and fifteen in number, serve a three-year term with a possible re-election by the congregation to a second three-year term. The Board of Deacons is made up of the currently seated deacons, usually twenty-one in number, and serve a three-year term with a possible re-election by the congregation to a second-year term beginning July 1.

Learn more about the biblical qualifications of elders and deacons.

2024–2025 Session

The ministry of elders consists of the ongoing spiritual nature of individuals in addition to those of his own household.

He is capable of effectively handling the Word of God either formally or informally. He has theological discernment making him capable of guarding the church from doctrinal error. He demonstrates godly wisdom giving him skills necessary to provide shepherding oversight to the ministry and aspires to do so. He shows a pattern of being someone that others will follow (Acts 20:28–31; Ephesians 4:11–13; 1 Timothy 3:1; Titus 1:9; 1 Peter 5:1–4).

Robert Seay

CHAIR OF THE SESSION
Preston Klinke

VICE-CHAIR OF THE SESSION
Buddy Jones

SECRETARY OF THE SESSION
Steve Atkins

ELDER
Chip Barger

ELDER
Mickey Bowdon

ELDER
Steve Boyd

ELDER
John Reid Curlin

ELDER
Buzz Fly

ELDER
Mark Gosney

ELDER
JP Hickey

SECRETARY OF THE SESSION
Kary Meadows

ELDER
Pat Person

ELDER
Joel Scoggins

ELDER
John Touliatos

ELDER
Kevin Weaver

ELDER

2024–2025 Board of Deacons

The ministry of deacons consists of carrying out various responsibilities that make for effective ministry.

Acts 6 gives us the example of the need for attentiveness to widows. Rather than causing the men gifted to teach the Word of God to leave that role and attend to the widows, men “full of the Spirit and wisdom” were chosen to take charge of the task. Philip was effective at evangelism. Stephen was definitely a proclaimer of truth. Some of them had great organizational skills. Deacons primarily assume roles of responsibility to attend to various practical needs and do it in such a fashion whereby others are greatly empowered in ministry. Our constitution designates their responsibilities to include but not be limited to the following: “The Board of Deacons shall have responsibility for the receipt and disbursement of all Church funds. The Board of Deacons shall also be responsible for the care and upkeep of all Church property—grounds, buildings and equipment, providing adequate insurance for all. The Board of Deacons shall provide funds to care for the needy members of the Church and others in special cases.”