As the call to be Elder is from God and they are called to be Shepherd to nurture the needs of the church members and assist the Church Pastor in building the spiritual relationship with God among the church members, therefore Ministerial Association of East Bangladesh Mission has ordained three men as Church Elders to officiate communion service, funeral service and other church ordinance in the absence of ordained Ministers. They are Elder Jacob Karmoker, Elder Amit Sircar, and Elder Chingshaprue Khyang. Opening prayer was rendered by Dr. Rontgen Poresh Bala, BAUM Education Director. In the opening message of this solemn ceremony, BAUM Ministerial Secretary, Pr. Daniel Falia reminded them the nine qualities of Church Ministers and Elders “to be worthy of respect, not double-tongued, not indulging in too much wine (temperance), not pursuing dishonest gain, hold the truths of faith a clear conscience, beyond reproach or question, having only one wife and is faithful to her, good manager of his children and good manager of his household” (Tim. 3:8-10, 12; Titus 1). Pastor urged them to embrace the three basic qualifications in their service “to be men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and full of wisdom” (Acts 6:3). Pastor Milton Das, President and Ministerial Secretary of East Bangladesh Mission instructed the responsibilities of the church elders regarding the procedures of officiating the church ordinance service and support the church clerk, Deacon and Deaconesses and other church members. Dedication prayer was rendered by Pr. Bernard Ashim Baidya, BAUM AMR Director and it was ended with the closing prayer by Mr. Malay Sircar, Treasurer of East Bangladesh Mission. - Imran Mrong, BAUM Communication Department
