The Elders are the servant/leaders of the congregation, selected according to guidelines given in I Timothy 3 and confirmed annually in their leadership role by congregational vote. These men have devoted their lives to serving God's purposes and principles for the local congregation as revealed in scripture, and in years of personal discipleship by the Lord and practical service to others.

The elders watch over the spiritual life of the congregation and its people, spending much time with people as listeners and encouragers. At times they also exercise loving correction to those struggling with sin or error. They spend much time in prayer for individuals and the corporate church body. They participate in the teaching and preaching ministry of the church. They carefully consider matters of church policy and planning and then take an active role in the carrying out of those policies and plans. In all of this the highest of all considerations is the will of God, as nearly as it can be determined. Regular meetings are held, usually on the 1st and 3rd Thursday of each month. A yearly retreat is held in the fall of each year.

Christian man, do you want to be an elder? If your answer is yes, then you have set your heart on a noble task, according to I Timothy 3:1! Study and exercise yourself as a serious lifelong disciple of Christ, and learn to give yourself to the Lord and others in Christlike service. Make your discipleship practical by joining with your leaders in accountability/mentoring relationships. If you are a husband and/or parent, learn servant leadership in those relationships. Study especially such scriptures about servant leadership as Paul's Epistles to Timothy, Titus, the Philippians, and the Ephesians, along with the book of Acts, I Peter 5:1-8, and other scriptural texts that you will discover. Enter into ministries of service in the local congregation. Let your character become an example to others. Usually, those recognized as elders in the congregation are those who have already been exercising many of the behaviors of elders.

Bob Harder (503-662-4047), husband of Cindy, is Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Chairperson of the Math, Computer Science, and Engineering Department at George Fox University. He also is head girls' soccer coach at Yamhill-Carlton High School.
John Koppen (503-662-3953), husband of Beverly, is recently retired after over 30 years working in a nearby sawmill.
Ken Watson (contact information below), husband of Kathy, is retired from 30 years of teaching at Yamhill Grade School and now is employed part-time as YCC's Administrative Pastor.
Steve Weise (503-662-4222), husband of Cece, is a truck driver for Western Oregon Waste and a girls' basketball coach at Trask Mountain Middle School.