Election of Officers

“When the names of the members are enrolled as specified in the former part of this article, let the minister read to them the scriptures setting forth the qualifications requisite to the offices of elder and deacon (these are described in 1 Timothy 3:1-10; Titus 1:6-9), and then let the members select by informal ballot ^{1This was soon changed, and the evangelist organizing the church selected a committee of council as to who of their number should be nominated for the various offices. These names being usually voted upon by yea or nay instead of ballot. In fact this plan was in use before the Testimony spoke of order “perfected”-J. N. L.} such person or persons as they may wish to take these positions in their midst. Then let the minister ordain them, as in Acts 6:6; Titus 1:5. We need hardly suggest the necessity of every church keeping a record of all its proceedings. To this end a clerk will be necessary, who may be elected in the same manner. The elder of a church should act as chairman in all its business meetings.COOD 132.1