ELDERS

What Are Elders?

Elders are not elevated in status, but elevated in terms of responsibility and respect. The word used in 1 Timothy 3:1 for elder is episkopos, which means leader or overseer

This word was used in the Greek culture to refer to a city manager or inspector, steward. This leader had the duty of commanding, teaching, disciplining, and shepherding the people. Then and today the overseer has a wide range of spiritual responsibility.

They are responsible for our souls (Heb. 13:17).
They direct/administer (1 Tim 5:17).
They preach and teach (1 Tim. 5:17).
They pray (James 5:14).
They care for the church (1 Peter 5:1,2).
They set church policy (Acts 15:22).
They ordain / commission others (1 Tim. 4:14).

Considering these crucial responsibilities, we can see why Paul states that being an elder is "a worthy calling." The phrase means a noble, excellent, high-quality work. No elder should stoop to be a king. Being an elder is the highest and greatest calling one may have.

For that Reason, Paul tells the Thessalonians, "Appreciate those who work hard among you, who lead you in the Lord and teach you. Respect them with a very special love because of the work they do" (1 These. 5:13).

Frequently asked questions

Teach
- Elders insure that the church receives a steady diet of biblical teaching.
Lead
- Elders lead our church by seeking God's desire for our church, they lead our church in the direction we need to be moving.
Model
- An elder also models what it means to be a faithful christian man by guiding who manages his own home and the church by allowing God to guide and direct him through scripture.
Pray
- Elders pray for the church as a whole as well as individuals in the church.

1 Timothy 3:1-7 (New Living Translation)

Qualifications for Overseers and Deacons

1 This is a trustworthy saying: “If someone aspires to be a church leader,[a] he desires an honorable position.” 2 So a church leader must be a man whose life is above reproach. He must be faithful to his wife.[b] He must exercise self-control, live wisely, and have a good reputation. He must enjoy having guests in his home, and he must be able to teach. 3 He must not be a heavy drinker[c] or be violent. He must be gentle, not quarrelsome, and not love money. 4 He must manage his own family well, having children who respect and obey him. 5 For if a man cannot manage his own household, how can he take care of God’s church?6 A church leader must not be a new believer, because he might become proud, and the devil would cause him to fall.[d] 7 Also, people outside the church must speak well of him so that he will not be disgraced and fall into the devil’s trap.

Titus 1:5-9 (New Living Translation)

Appointing Elders Who Love What Is Good

5 I left you on the island of Crete so you could complete our work there and appoint elders in each town as I instructed you. 6 An elder must live a blameless life. He must be faithful to his wife,[a] and his children must be believers who don’t have a reputation for being wild or rebellious. 7 A church leader[b] is a manager of God’s household, so he must live a blameless life. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered; he must not be a heavy drinker,[c] violent, or dishonest with money.

8 Rather, he must enjoy having guests in his home, and he must love what is good. He must live wisely and be just. He must live a devout and disciplined life. 9 He must have a strong belief in the trustworthy message he was taught; then he will be able to encourage others with wholesome teaching and show those who oppose it where they are wrong.

Article IV Section 1:

The elders shall be male members of the congregation who are elected by the membership on the basis of the Scriptural qualifications of I Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9.

The elders, as overseers, shall have authority and responsibility consistent with the teaching of the New Testament.

Article V Section 1:

A person must be a member of the congregation for one (1) year before he is eligible to be elected as an elder.

2026 Elders to Affirm

On November 23, 2025 members of White Oak Christian Church will vote to affirm the men below as elders at WOCC in 2026

Scott Dearth

My wife, Susan, and I have worshiped and served at White Oak Christian Church since 2006. We attend the Colerain campus, where we serve in the Kid's Ministry, aka Grow Zone and on the prayer team.

We have a daughter, Jasmine, who works as an Intervention Specialist in Denver. Susan and I are both teachers, and we enjoy traveling and hiking together. We have lived in Harrison since 1998.

Most importantly, we have devoted our lives to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and are grateful to be part of His family here at White Oak, serving wherever He calls us.

Will Mueller

My wife, Beth, and I have been partners at White Oak Christian Church for the past eight years. Our family attends the Ross campus, where I serve on the worship team, and together we’re actively involved in several ministry efforts. These include operating a central drop-off center for Operation Christmas Child and leading Cincinnati’s FamilyLife Weekend to Remember Marriage Ministry team.

We have three children ages 22, 20, and 18 who enjoy serving alongside us at the Ross campus. Beth and I were drawn to White Oak because of its genuine sense of community and its commitment to living out the gospel in everyday life. We felt God’s clear leading to be part of this church family a place where we could grow spiritually and serve together in advancing His Kingdom.

Bruce Maxwell

Kathy and I have been part of White Oak Christian Church since the late 1970s and attend the Colerain campus. We raised our three sons here and are now blessed with nine grandchildren and two great-granddaughters.

Kathy has faithfully served in many ways over the years—including the nursery, VBS, choir, and worship team—and currently serves on the Kid's Ministry Encouragement Team. She was also one of the founders of what is now known as Life Forward, a pregnancy care center in Cincinnati.

I have had the privilege of serving as an elder several times over the years. In addition I have served on the finance team helping to steward the church’s resources and guide its ministry. I’ve also led Life Groups and Sunday School Classes for more than 30 years. Today, I help lead the prayer team at CTC and facilitate a small group focused on Essential Christian Finances.

Joseph Smith

My wife, Marcy, and I have been a part of White Oak Christian Church for 25 years. We’ve been married for 44 years and are grateful for how God continues to bless our family and faith through this church.

I recently retired after 38 years of practice as a small-animal veterinarian. Over the years, I’ve served in several ministry areas, including the security team, greeting, children’s ministry, and ushering. I also lead a weekly Bible study. Marcy serves faithfully at the Hub and in Kid’s ministry and participates in multiple Bible studies.

We have four adult children who, along with their spouses, are actively involved in their own churches. In our spare time, we enjoy supporting and spending time with our ten grandchildren. I love the outdoors, gardening, and working around the farm, but most importantly, I seek to serve wherever God calls and to help meet the needs of His Kingdom.

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Next Steps

ELDERS

What Are Elders?

What does an elder at WOCC do?

What are the biblical qualifications of an elder at WOCC?

What are the requirements for an elder of WOCC determined by the WOCC By Laws?

How can I contact the elders of WOCC?

How do I become an Elder at WOCC?

2026 Elders to Affirm