Board of Elders

The Chapel’s Board of Elders

The Elder Team is chosen as the result of a long, intentional, and prayerful process. The current Board of Elders consists of five elders, including Scott Chapman, our Senior Pastor. 

Returning Elder, Steve Giovanetto
Returning Elder, Jeff One
Returning Elder, Gordon Nishimoto
Returning Elder, Justin Harger
Senior Pastor, Scott Chapman

Elder Team FAQs

What is the role of the Elder Team in The Chapel’s governance?

The Chapel is a staff-led, Elder-governed church. The Board of Elders is responsible for financial, theological, organizational, and moral oversight of The Chapel.

What does it mean to be an Elder at The Chapel?

Since our earliest days, The Chapel has had an all-volunteer Board of Elders to help our church remain faithful to the vision God has called us to. Throughout our church’s history, the focus of the Elders has been keeping us well-positioned to move in concert with God’s leading. Elders have always been an invaluable source of wisdom, counsel, and direction. They also provide a unique source of accountability and support to our Senior Pastor, Scott Chapman.

What are the qualifications for being an Elder?

The Bible provides descriptions of the portrait of an Elder and a set of robust qualifications for this role (1 Tim. 3.1-7 and Titus 1.5-9.) In essence, Elders are long-standing members of the church who have consistently demonstrated a deep and abiding love for God, humility, and a spirit of unity in their personal relationships, wisdom, and Godly virtue in their approach to life, concern, and sacrificial service to those in need, and a powerful faith as they minister the kingdom of God to others.

What are the responsibilities of the Board of Elders?

As The Chapel has grown in size and complexity, the nature of the Elder’s contribution has likewise grown over time. At this time, our Board of Elders meets monthly and serves our church by providing accountability in five key areas: vision, finances, theology, morality, and culture. They also approve significant decisions (i.e., the purchase of land or buildings, additions of new campuses, etc.) and support and review the performance of Scott as our Senior Pastor.

What is the process for adding Elders?

Proposal of a nominee: The Senior Pastor may at any time propose a person as a nominee for Elder. Recommendations to the Senior Pastor may come from anyone in the church. Campus Pastors will be asked for recommendations during an Elder addition process.
Acceptance of a nominee: The Board of Elders will vote to approve a nominee to be invited to become a candidate for the evaluation process. A super-majority vote of 66% is required for approval.
Evaluation of the candidate: After a nominee is accepted as a candidate, they will be evaluated by the Board based on the Biblical qualifications for Elders and their financial acumen, theological understanding and embracing our church’s identity, church ministry experience, experience in oversight of organizational operations and moral maturity. As a part of the evaluation process of a candidate, the elders may include the participation of selected members of the congregation.
Congregational input:  After evaluation, the Board of Elders will formally nominate the candidate to the campuses of The Chapel. A period of 30 days will be allowed for any individual to offer feedback to the Elders concerning the fitness of a candidate to serve as an Elder.
Approval: After the 30-day feedback period expires, the Elders will determine, based on all feedback and their own investigation, whether to formally accept the candidate as an Elder. A super-majority vote of 66% is required for approval.
Installation: After approval, the elder candidate will be formally installed and announced to the church body.
Trial Period: After installation, each new elder will participate in a trial period of no less than a year. After the trial period, the elder board will evaluate and determine if they would like to move the new elder out of the trial period. This will require a self-evaluation by the new elder and an evaluation and vote by the elder board. A super-majority vote of 66% is required for approval, excluding the new elder.

How long is an Elder Team member’s term?

Each Elder will serve for a term of three years. At the close of that term, the Elder may step down or ask to serve for an additional term at his discretion. If he desires to serve another term, the existing Board, excluding the petitioner, will vote on whether to accept him for another term. A super-majority vote of 66% is required for him to serve another term. Elders should be renewed in a way that staggers their terms. The Senior Pastor stays on the board without renewal.

Can an Elder resign?

An Elder can resign from the board at any time during their term. Resignation should be in writing and should list the reason(s) for resignation.

Can an Elder be removed from the Elder Team?

An Elder may be removed from service at any time on the basis that the Elder no longer meets the entrance qualifications. For an Elder to be removed from his position, the following process must occur:

Proposal: Anyone who has evidence that suggests that any Elder no longer meets the scriptural qualifications is required to bring the evidence forward to the Board of Elders in full knowledge of the elder in question.
Verification: The Board of Elders will then launch an investigation into the matter. The accused elder is to be given every consideration of innocence until demonstrated beyond a reasonable doubt by verified facts or multiple witnesses.
Vote: The results of the investigation will be disclosed to the Board of Elders in the presence of the elder in question, and he will be given a chance to respond to each piece of evidence. After the evidence has been presented, the Elder in question will leave the meeting, and the remaining Elders will discuss the matter and vote on removal by majority vote. The Elder in question does not hold voting rights in this situation.

What is The Chapel’s plan for adding Elders in the future?

Over the next year, The Chapel plans to add additional Elders to the board and is seeking God’s leadership in building a Board of Elders that accurately represents the people of The Chapel’s nine campuses.