Nominating Church Leaders

Nominating Church Leaders
by
January 13, 2026

Leadership matters in any healthy church. We are accepting leadership nominations through the end of January. This year, we are nominating 1 Chair-Elect, 3 At-Large Board Members, 7 Elders, and 35 Deacons. Please submit candidates by CLICKING HERE. Give serious consideration to the individuals that you are nominating. Also, ask these basic questions when considering candidates. Are they in worship regularly? Are they in a small group or Sunday School class? Do they serve? Do they take their faith and spiritual life seriously? Will they help move Woodmont forward?

Leadership in any setting is certainly not for the faint of heart. It takes passion, conviction, nerve, thick skin, and resilience. Tony Jarvis says this in his classic book, With Love and Prayers: “Leaders are caught in a catch-22. If a leader is strong, undeterred by projection, blame, and calumny, he is then labeled as arrogant, authoritarian, dictatorial. If he sets aside his initiatives, goes with the way the wind is blowing, if he backs down at all, he or she is immediately labeled as ‘weak’ and ‘a waffler’.”

Leadership draws criticism in our culture. John Maxwell says that “everything rises and falls on leadership.” He is absolutely right. There are many in our culture who want to be leaders but aren’t willing to pay the price or put in the work. They don’t know what it entails. Many want the recognition without the responsibility, the glory without the sacrifice. Jarvis adds that leadership is not an end unto itself. Christian leadership is servant leadership and involves putting others first.

We cannot do all that we do without strong lay leadership. Thankfully, Woodmont is blessed every year with great candidates to choose from. The following traits are essential as we think about nominations:

1. Character. It’s who you are that matters. Character is formed over time, and the foundation is laid early in life. We all fall short at times, but character is built through the trials and tribulations of life. Patterns of behavior matter.

2. Courage. Nobody can lead anything without having the courage to do so. Why? Leaders are criticized and projected upon all the time. Courage combined with resilience will make all the difference.

3. A positive attitude. Nobody wants to follow a cynic who is always negative and pessimistic. True leaders always inspire hope and focus on the good.

4. Teachable. Life is a classroom and we must never stop learning and growing. Once you stop learning, you can no longer lead. This involves being able to listen empathetically to the concerns of others.

5. Relationship-focused. Effective leaders surround themselves with other leaders and form relationships with those they lead. Trust is built in the process as the currency of relationships. This is true in the church, business, education, politics, and any other field. The healthiest spiritual leaders form and maintain strong relationships.

6. Humble. Leaders must work to overcome pride and maintain a deep sense of humility. Being wrong and apologizing are always signs of strength.

Prayers for those who will be nominated for leadership positions, and for those serving on the nominating committee this year!

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