At the end of each worship service on Sunday, May 3, Blacknall members can vote for officers nominated to serve as Elders and Deacons. Five Elders and six Deacons will serve three-year terms; one Elder and Deacon spot will also be nominated for a one-year term each.
Elders join our pastors in discerning the vision and direction of Blacknall as we seek to follow Christ and God's word. They show wisdom, spiritual maturity, and leadership gifts in a spirit of compassion toward Blacknall's body of believers.
Deacons demonstrate integrity, spiritual maturity, sound judgment, and love for the body of Christ at Blacknall. They lead the congregation in ministries of hospitality: caring for people, stewarding our facilities, and serving when we gather in worship or as a community.
See the candidates below and click on their pictures to learn more about them. As you consider who you'd like to elect as an Elder or Deacon, you can review detailed descriptions of the roles.
LENGTH OF SERVICE
Officers serve three-year terms. Current officers are allowed to serve one additional three-year term if nominated and elected again by the congregation before they are required to step down for a period of at least one year.
One-year terms are only used on an occasional basis to fill Elder or Deacon positions that became open early.
NUMBER OF OFFICER POSITIONS
Elders
Following our longstanding practice, there are seven candidates for five elder positions to serve three-year terms. One additional candidate, Stephanie Wheatley, is standing for election to a one-year term.
Deacons
There are six candidates for six deacon positions to serve three-year terms. One additional candidate, Ruthie Owens, is standing for election to a one-year term.
Voting
All active members of Blacknall are eligible to vote. Candidates must receive at least 50% of the total votes cast in order to be elected.
Elder Candidates
Deacon Candidates
Current Elders
Class of 2026 | Mark Atkinson, Pete Gerend, Susan Kinghorn, Kathy Mitchell, Stephanie Wheatley
Class of 2027 | Warren Gould, Lauren Holahan, Cullen Rodgers-Gates, Michael Whisenhunt
Class of 2028 | Charlene Brown, Melissa Hartemink, Dan Kronstad, Mark Paulson, Katie Reeder-Hayes
Current Deacons
Class of 2026 | Olivia Fain, Brian Farley, Catherine Honeycutt, Andrew McGannon, Candy Richardson, Graham Turner
Class of 2027 | Will Brewbaker, George Olaru, Sara Patten, Rachel Stine, Caleb Wagner
Class of 2028 | Rebecca Alberti, Chuck Hoover, Cory Pikaart, Robert Smith, Dan Struble, Hadley Taylor
