Elder Bios 2012 - Gracepoint Community Church

Meet Your 2012 Gracepoint Elder Nominees
In the fall of 2011 a steering team consisng of Ron Wall, Lois Wateron, Arnold Machel, Steve Bains (Surrey South Campus
pastor), Jeff Renaud (Bell Campus pastor), and Phil Wagler (Interim lead pastor) was asked to oversee the calling
out of new elders to serve on the Gracepoint leadership team.
This steering team worked at a revision of our leadership team protocol (available at www.gracepoint.ca) and asked
the church to suggest potenal candidates for elder leadership. Our desire was to see at least two elders from the current
team connue on this new team. We want to thank our outgoing elders, Ernie Isaac, Marie Isaac, Sam Rowland,
Bryan Jakeman, and Doug Stuart for their diligent and commied service to our church family over the past number of
years. May God bless each of them as they enter new avenues of service among us. We also want to thank the church
family for the numerous suggesons of possible candidates given.
As a result of prayer, interviews, and our discernment as a steering team we are united in presenng the following persons
for elder. You will note that we present candidates with staggered term-lengths in order to begin a healthy
rhythm of the calling of elders moving forward.
We present these individuals for your prayerful consideraon, asking that you respond with words of affirmaon or
concern (1 Timothy 5:17-19) by January 22 to the steering team directly by contacng Phil Walger
(phil@gracepoint.ca or 604.538.1825 ext.208). The steering team will carefully weigh all that is shared in confidence
and, following this process, move to affirm and commission our elders to lead.
Here, then, are the Gracepointers we present for elder leadership:
JEFF EDWARDS (1 year)
I have been part of our church for the last 16 years. My wife Gail and I have had the joy to see
our daughters Abbey and Scarle come to faith at Gracepoint and our enre family has been
involved in various ways over the years. I served in Worship Arts as a team leader for almost a
decade and served a three-year term on the Leadership Team a few years back. My job requires
frequent travel, making regular involvement a challenge, but I am excited to commit to serving
in this capacity for a one-year term.
RON MARSHALL (1 year)
I have been a member of Gracepoint Community Church for 17 years and have been on the
leadership team for over ten years. I have worked as a banjo teacher and player, pizza cook,
served two years in the US Army, worked as a craps (dice) dealer in Reno NV, an aerial survey
photographer and darkroom technician, and in sales. I have a Master of Divinity in pastoral
studies and have served as an associate and lead pastor. I currently own a business and enjoy
spending me with my three children and two amazing grandkids.

JOHN HOWAT (2 years)
At the age of 8 years I asked Christ into my heart and about one year later was bapzed.
YFC introduced me to Dorothy. We were married in 1954.We have a daughter, two sons, and
eight grandchildren.
I became an electrician and aer 20 years in that trade, we moved to Toronto to manage a building
maintenance operaon for 3 years. World Vision then employed me and I became the Canadian
western director. In 1986 we moved to Surrey and began aending Peace Arch Fellowship. We
helped to launch the Sunday Night Community Dinner and I was acve on the Elders board.
CECIL RAST (2 years)
I was born in a 1 st naons village in northern BC. My parents were teachers and missionaries to
the people there. I felt called into ministry shortly aer finishing high school, and aer bible
school joined Youth for Christ. 25 years later, I am now serving as the Surrey area director and I
sll love working with kids who are marginalized. I started coming to panorama when it was 3
years old and sll met in the elementary school. For me, the experience was a breath of fresh air,
and I have been coming to Gracepoint ever since.
ARCHIE JOHNSTON (2 years)
I am an audit partner with the professional accounng firm KPMG LLP and the Canadian Naonal
industry leader for KPMG’s Not for Profit and Public Sector pracce. I have been with KPMG for
32 years. I am a past president of the Surrey Board of Trade and past chair of the Surrey Board of
Trade’s Governors’ Council. I am a life member of the Government Finance Officers Associaon
of BC (“GFOA”) and served 10 years as a member of the GFOA’s board of directors. I am also a
fellow of the Instute of Chartered Accountants of BC and chair of the Instute’s public sector
accounng forum.
My wife Susan and I have 3 children: Bobby (24) aending medical school in California, Peter (21) aending an engineering
undergraduate program at SFU, and Tessa (19) apprencing as a baker.
I became a Chrisan while in high school through the Young Life program. I have served as a volunteer Young Life
Leader, volunteer youth leader, Home Group Program Coordinator Home Group leader, and served on Panorama’s
Leadership team for 5 years. My wife and I went to Peace Portal Alliance 10 years ago when we moved to South Surrey.
We returned to Gracepoint approximately 2 years ago. I have also served on the board of directors of the Burnaby
Chrisan Community Counseling Group. I have a passion for discipleship, teaching and mentoring.
CHAD KOEHN (3 years)
21 years now.
I was born and raised in a loving Chrisan home, and have aended MB churches all of my life. I
accepted Christ around the age of 5, and took the step of bapsm when I was 15. Aer spending
a year in Australia aending Capenwray Bible school, I pursued an educaon in electromechanical
engineering. That educaon got me the job that I sll have today. I’ve been with the same company
for over 16 years, and currently manage the mechanical engineering group. I married my
wife Maria 11 years ago, and we’ve been aending Gracepoint/Panorama Community Church for

DIANA MARK (3 years)
I grew up in Victoria, and our family aended the United Church. I loved Jesus from a young
age. Family difficules (one of those understatements in life) meant that growing up a healthy
person was a huge challenge. At 16 I commied my life to Christ.
In my early 20s I headed to the US to aend Bible college. Two years of life focusing on the
Bible and prayer built some real depth in my life and my relaonship with Christ.
I moved to Vancouver and met my husband David at Burnaby Chrisan Fellowship. We became involved in premarital
counseling and marriage enrichment. One of our life verses is in Genesis 12, where God blesses Abraham in
order that he may be a blessing to others.
I also served on the Board of Heritage Chrisan School for 3 years. We joined Panorama/Gracepoint in 2000 so our
kids could build relaonships with other young Chrisans in our area. David & I have 3 awesome kids: Chris (25),
Kevin (22) and Stephanie (20). We’re really proud of them, parcularly because they all love God.
Career-wise, I am President of Greystone Corporate Services, and we provide corporate services to two public mining
companies in downtown Vancouver.
For the past few months I have sensed a strong, freshening wind of God’s Spirit at Gracepoint. I believe that He is
calling us closer to Him that we may serve His kingdom more fully, and that we’ll see that worked out over the days
and months ahead.
KIM SAVAGE (3 years)
I’m my husband’s wife; my two sons’ mother; a good friend; at work, a “PR girl” through and
through; but most of all a woman who is blessed to live a redeemed life through our Lord and
Saviour Jesus Christ. I have walked through dark mes and had the benefit to enjoy the light
and hope only found in Jesus. It’s probably why I have such a passion for people to develop a
faith that makes a difference in their homes, their jobs and their communies – to get unstuck
from where they have been and get excited about where they are going and the difference only
their life can make. Gracepoint (and before that Panorama) has been home since 1993 and it would be a privilege
to serve on team that will help shape our next chapter as a church community and see what God will purpose for us.
JEREMY WILSON (3 years)
I was raised in a Chrisan home in New Zealand and accepted Christ as Lord at the age of 13 at
a Bapst church Easter camp. At university my spiritual growth was accelerated by parcipaon
in Navigators. Early in my engineering post-doctorate years I returned to a student dorm to encourage
the younger Chrisans in residence. I married Cathy in 1987 and immigrated to Canada
that same year to pursue my career in soware engineering, with skiing Whistler and exploring
the great outdoors of BC as ulterior moves. With the arrival of our first child, Grace, and a
move to Newton, Cathy and I became members of the fledgling Panorama Community Church. Sons Jonathan and
Daniel soon followed, and Cathy served on staff with Kids Unlimited for several years. We now live in North Delta,
co-leading a life group with Paul and Jackie Buckley. My desire is to see Gracepoint stay focused on the basics of our
wonderful faith as a church family, and to see our church culture reinvigorated, especially for our children and
youth.

Gracepoint Community Church
LEADERSHIP TEAM PROTOCOL
The Calling, Responsibilities, and Organization of Elders and Pastoral Staff
PREAMBLE
Key Scriptures: Matthew 16:13-20; John 1:1-18; Ephesians 1:3-10; Philippians 2:1-11; Colossians 1:15-20; Titus 1:5;
Hebrews 13:17; 1 Peter 5:2
Jesus Christ is the Word made flesh and in Him we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. He is the risen Lord of
history and the head of the Church. To Him we bow are hearts and knees.
Stewardship of the believing community and the mission of God through the local church are entrusted to an appointed
and affirmed team of elders who oversee the life and ministry of the church. Responsibility for ministry operation
and implementation of Gracepoint Community Church (“Gracepoint”) is entrusted to the pastoral staff, which is directed
by the lead pastor. The pastoral staff is accountable to the elders, who in turn are accountable to the Gracepoint
body of believers.
The elders and at least three members of the pastoral staff comprise the leadership team. This team provides spiritual
oversight of Gracepoint .
This document guides the calling, function and exercising of the elders and pastoral staff for the maturity of the
church and the glory of God.
I. QUALIFICATIONS FOR ELDER LEADERSHIP
Individually and corporately as a team, elders need to meet the following requirements:
Character
Key Scriptures: Acts 20:17-36; 1 Corinthians 6:18-7:9; 1 Timothy 3:1-7;
2 Timothy 2:24-26; Titus 1:5-9; 1 Peter 5:1-4
An elder must give evidence of the following biblical character qualities:
• Self-disciplined and self-controlled (Acts 20:28; 1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:8)
• A love and watchfulness for the flock of God (Acts 20:28)
• Able to give clear understanding of the Gospel and teach it (Acts 20:29-30; 1 Timothy 3:2; 2 Timothy 2:24-25; Titus
1:9)
• An example of Christ-like character, servant-hood and sacrifice (Acts 20:33-35; Titus 1:8; 1 Peter 5:2-3)
• Prayerfulness (Acts 20:36)
• Above reproach, trustworthy, honest, worthy of respect and known for integrity (1 Timothy 3:2,7; Titus 1:6)

• Fidelity and monogamy if married; celibacy if unmarried (1 Corinthians 7:8-9; 1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:6)
• Hospitable (1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:8)
• Not given to drunkenness (1 Timothy 3:3; Titus 1:7)
• Not argumentative or given to resentfulness (1 Timothy 3:3; 2 Timothy 2:24)
• Not a lover of money or seeking dishonest gain (1 Timothy 3:3; Titus 1:7; 1 Peter 5:2)
• Evidence of a Christ-centered home (1 Timothy 3:4-5; Titus 1:6)
• Not a recent convert (1 Timothy 3:6)
• Kindness (2 Timothy 2:24)
• A desire for people to walk in repentance (2 Timothy 2:25)
• Not over-bearing or arrogant (Titus 1:7)
• Not given to anger or violence (Titus 1:7)
Humility (1 Peter 5:3)
Competence
Key Scriptures: Romans 12:3-8; 1 Corinthians 12:1-11, 27-31; Ephesians 4:7-16
The Leadership Team will be comprised of elders with multiple competencies utilizing a diverse mix of spiritual gifts
effectively combined with life experience and vocational skills and training.
Competencies essential for the healthy functioning of The Leadership Team are:
• Discernment
• Wisdom
• Communication
• Leadership
• Giving
• Encouragement
• Administration
• Apostleship
• Prophecy
• Evangelism
• Pastoring/Shepherding
Teaching
Chemistry
Key Scriptures: Psalm 133; Proverbs 27:17; John13:34-35; John 17:20-23;
Ephesians 4:3-6

Elders desire the unity of the church and actively seek to love, respect and complement each other as members of a
team. This does not mean agreement at all times, but rather the welcoming of diversity, mutual submission and
sharpening.
Courage
Key Scriptures: 1Timothy 4:1-16; 2 Timothy 2:1-13
Elders demonstrate a commitment to God’s truth and discerned corporate decisions. Elder leadership involves a
need for confidentiality, humility, the ability to confront if necessary, and good communication and relational skills.
II. GRACEPOINT AS AN ELDER- AND STAFF-LED CHURCH
Gracepoint is elder- and staff-led, and volunteer-driven.
Key Scriptures: John 13; Ephesians 4:11-16; 5:15-32; 1 Peter 2:9; Matthew 22:36-40;
28:16-20; 1 Timothy 4:6-16; 5:19; 2 Timothy 3:10-4:5; Philippians 2:1-11; Galatians 5:19-26; Acts 1:21
-26; 6:1-7
Pastoral Staff Responsibility
The pastoral staff is entrusted and empowered to lead, make decisions in conversation with the church and her elders,
and equip the saints for ministry, championing the priesthood of all believers. Staff are called by the church
under the leadership of the elders and charged with the responsibility of developing and overseeing the various ministries
deemed necessary for the healthy functioning of the church. These are usually salaried individuals. The dayto-day
functions of the church are in their purview and they are responsible to steward the truth of the Gospel, work
with the body to discern and articulate vision, form a Great Commission and Great Commandment disciple-making
community, shepherd the flock of God, and equip the saints to serve one another and our world. The pastoral staff
are led by the lead pastor in function and are together accountable to the leadership team.
B. Leadership Team Selection and Organization
The leadership team consists of 8–14 elders (with representation from all Gracepoint campuses). In addition to this
number, the lead pastor and campus pastors are non-voting members. The leadership team can request the presence
of other staff members as deemed necessary.
Any committed follower of Jesus Christ living in fellowship and on mission with Gracepoint and demonstrating the
biblical criteria for spiritual leadership outlined in this document can be considered for eldership.
The Selection of Elders
Elders are called to the leadership team by a process guided by the steering team.

The Steering Team: A team led by the leadership team vice-chairperson. The leadership team will call the
church body to suggest possible new elders as needed. From these suggestions, the leadership team will
ask three people to serve on the steering team with the vice-chairperson and the lead pastor. The steering
team will oversee elder discernment and vetting as per this document, and present candidates to the church
for affirmation. Affirmation will be by a call for words of confirmation or concern that is received and processed
by the steering team. Pending this process of affirmation, the candidate is recommended by the
steering team to the elders who invite that person to join the leadership team and present them to the body
for commissioning.
Term of Service
Elders are called to serve a three-year term. After a first three-year term, an elder will be eligible to serve a second
term, if still willing and able, following an evaluation by the steering team in consultation with the rest of the leadership
team. After serving two consecutive terms an elder is ineligible for eldership for a minimum period of one year.
Elders can be asked to step down from the leadership team if a lifestyle inconsistent with the biblical criteria for eldership
is discerned or if there is an inability or unwillingness to fulfill the responsibilities expected of a member of the
leadership team (health reasons, failure to attend meetings, divisiveness, etc.)
Leadership Team Organization
Chairperson: an elder chosen annually by the leadership team to oversee organization and function. This person
sets the agenda in consultation with the lead pastor and other elders and is responsible to call and lead meetings.
Vice-chairperson: an elder chosen annually by the leadership team. The vice-chairperson is responsible to ensure
this protocol is followed with integrity. He/she also leads the steering team.
Recording secretary: shall be chosen annually by the leadership team. Minutes of team meetings, apart from
items requiring confidentiality, shall be made available to the church as a whole by the recording secretary. This person
also ensures ongoing clear communication between the leadership team and the church body in various forms.
Stewardship representative: a non-staff elder shall be chosen annually by the leadership team. This person will
lead the stewardship team.
Stewardship team: A team chaired by the leadership team stewardship representative, includes the lead
pastor and/or an appointed staff representative, and 3-4 non-elders appointed annually by the leadership
team. The stewardship team shall oversee Gracepoint’s annual budget process and present a budget for final
approval to the leadership team. They will also ensure the communication of Gracepoint financials to the
church body throughout the year.
Leadership Team Responsibility
Oversight: The leadership team is responsible to oversee the spiritual well-being and unity of Gracepoint. When
necessary, elders are expected to respond to church discipline and conflict with wisdom, in a spirit of grace, and in
obedience to the Scriptures (see Confronting Conflict, attached). Elders are responsible to familiarize themselves
with the confession of faith, vision, mission, ministries, policies and procedures of Gracepoint and work with the pastoral
staff to discern the vision and direction for the church and guard core doctrine, values and mission.
Disciple-making: Elders should lead or be involved in a life group or other disciple-making relationships where the
physical, mental, emotional and spiritual care of themselves and others is prioritized and modeled.
Staff relations: While not involved in the day-to-day operations of the church, the leadership team maintains a
strong relationship with the pastoral staff. The elders and staff walk in mutual submission. Elders provide encourage-

ment, wisdom, insight, prayer support, and cautionary input and may be asked to relate directly to a staff person in
this regard.
The elders are responsible for hiring, evaluating, and if necessary, terminating the lead pastor. The lead pastor oversees
the hiring, evaluating, and if necessary, terminating of all other staff in dialogue with the rest of the leadership
team.
Stewardship: The leadership team is responsible for the financial operations of Gracepoint . The annual operating
budget is approved by the full leadership team (with the noted abstention of any elder[s] in a real or perceived conflict
of interest). Staff compensation is determined by the non-staff members of the leadership team in consultation
with the stewardship team that works in dialogue with the lead pastor or an appointed staff representative. Members
of the leadership team lead by example by generously giving to the ministry of Gracepoint .
Fellowship with BC Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches (“BCMB”): The leadership team also assumes
responsibility that Gracepoint remains in good standing and partnership with BCMB and operates according
to its Constitution, Bylaws and Confession of Faith. All Gracepoint property titles are held by BCMB.
Meeting frequency: Regularly, usually on a monthly or bi-monthly basis. The Chairperson may discern that certain
decisions and actions require elder involvement between regular meetings via phone, email, or as a gathered team.
Decision-making: The Holy Spirit is the ultimate authority in decision-making. We value consensus and work toward
that prayerfully while formalizing decisions through parliamentary procedure. While creating a space that values a
variety of opinions and even disagreement, the leadership team strives for the ideal of unanimity. Decisions regarding
congregational finances, staffing, or the overall vision and direction of Gracepoint will seek the involvement of
every member of the leadership team. Where a real or perceived conflict of interest exists regarding a leadership
team decision (i.e. an elder who is supported by the church’s mission budget or receiving any financial benefit), the
elder(s) in this position of real or perceived conflict must excuse themselves from influence over the decision with
that abstention noted in the leadership team minutes.
Pastoral Staff and Leadership Team: A Partnership of Servant-hood
The pastoral staff and elders maintain a posture of servanthood that seeks in all things the glory of God, desires the
best for the church and her witness in the world, and models a relationship of mutual accountability and submission.
The leadership team and pastoral staff are a microcosm of the church. Therefore, elders and pastoral staff follow the
example of Jesus Christ, who came as a humble servant. The elders and staff place a high priority on healthy Christcentered
relationships and Spirit-led action that is done unto the Lord.
CONFRONTING CONFLICT*
"If another believer sins against you, go privately and point out the fault. If the other person listens and confesses
it, you have won that person back. But if you are unsuccessful, take one or two others with you and go back
again, so that everything you say may be confirmed by two or three witnesses. If that person still refuses to listen,
take your case to the church. If the church decides you are right, but the other person won't accept it, treat that
person as a pagan or a corrupt tax collector.” Matthew 18:15-17
Disagreements can be constructive, but whenever one occurs, if those involved don’t turn to Matthew 18:15-17

and follow it very closely, the disagreement can become destructive very quickly. Here are some common symptoms
that indicate unresolved conflict exists within a relationship, Life Group, or even a Ministry or Task Group at
Gracepoint.
Tattling: someone brings a conflict to a person in leadership before he or she has directly confronted the offending
party.
Tiredness: the avoidance of or fleeing from a conflict, as evidenced by work patterns devoid of energy.
Retaliation: sometimes a very subtle, passive aggression (a person may withdraw or withhold usual courtesies).
Inauthenticity: duplicity between how someone feels and acts toward another.
Tattling, tiredness, retaliation, and inauthenticity make for an unpleasant environment. Thankfully, Matthew 18:15
-17 presents practical guidelines for conflict resolution, the most important which could be summarized as
“confront directly and early”. Consider the following action steps:
“10 Commandments” to Biblical Confrontation
#1 Commit to owning the Value
Teach and model Matthew 18:15-17 often and through many different voices so it becomes part of the very fabric
of Gracepoint and Growth Groups before relational discord occurs.
#2 Monitor Yourself
1 Timothy 4:16 says, “Watch your life closely”. Learn to discern which offences you can let be covered by sheer
grace and which get rooted in your spirit and must be addressed.
#3 Redirect Others
Resist the temptation to listen when someone discusses a conflict he or she is having with another person in the
group/church and, instead, redirect that person to honour Matthew 18: 15-17 by talking to the offending party directly.
#4 Know how to Confront
Resolving conflict is not about winning or losing an argument but rather is about preserving the Bride of Christ.
Pray first, and then exercise personal, verbal discipline. Remember that affirming words reduce defensiveness
and a “gentle answer turns away wrath”.
#5 Narrow the Issue
Although you may be tempted to expand a conflict to include more than the original offense, narrow the issue to
address only the offense.
#6 Be Solution-Oriented
The goal of Matthew 18:15 is reconciliation; focus on understanding what went wrong, why it went wrong, and
how it can be prevented in the future.

#7 Use the Mirror Technique
Very often we don’t hear each other clearly. Repeat back to each other what you hear, asking, “I understand you
to be saying such-and-such. Is that true?”
#8 Be Open to Agreeing to Disagree
Sometimes conflict is resolved by understanding each other, and then “agreeing to disagree agreeably”.
#9 Be Committed to Follow-up
Some relational conflicts cut deeply. Be intentional about investing time rebuilding the relationship once a conflict
has been resolved.
#10 Be Gracious When Others Confront You
Allow others to respectfully ventilate and express their frustrations; do not switch the discussion from the issue
they have with you to an issue you have with them.
Matthew 18:15-17 carries the potential to heal, to restore, to foster reconciliation, and yet it’s a process that is too
often ignored in the local church. Don’t deny conflict exists. Every day you wait to address an offence violates
Ephesians 4:26, which says, “Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry”.
(*From notes accompanying a taped conversation between Bill Hybels, Lee Strobel and Russ Robinson, all of
Willow Creek Community Church.)
Leadership Team Policy Document July 19, 2005
Edited Jan 8, 2008 – change “Panorama” to Gracepoint
Edited & Amended November 22, 2011 – Arnold Machel, Lois Waterton, Ron Wall, Steve Bains, Jeff Renaud, Randy Plett, Phil Wagler