Qualifications and duties from the Form of Ordination and Scripture:

Elders are called to govern the church in Christ’s name.  To that end they must provide true preaching and teaching of the Word, regular celebration of the sacraments, faithful counsel and discipline, and they should promote fellowship and hospitality among believers and stimulate witness to all people.

Deacons are called to show mercy in Christ’s name to church members and to all people.  To that end the deacons must relieve victims of injustice, assess needs, promote stewardship and hospitality, collect and disburse resources for benevolence, develop programs of assistance, and speak words of Christian encouragement.

Some scripture passages that speak of the qualifications and duties of elders and deacons as well as the spiritual gifts that Christ gives to the members of his body are: 1 Timothy 3, Titus 1:5-9, 1 Peter 5:1-5, Romans 12:1-8, 1 Corinthians 12:27-31, and Ephesians 4:7-13.