servant leaders, leading us in... Government, Discipline, & Worship

The government of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church shall be Presbyterian in form.
This is government by Elders, both Ruling and Teaching, meeting in courts in regular sessions.

The Session

Walt Brown (2009)  Member of DPC since 1973. Walt has been married forty-three years to Cheri Brown, our Choir Director & Organist. They have three married daughters and six grandchildren. Ordained elder for thirty years, now serving his eighth term. Was a Baltimore County math teacher for forty two years, and currently works part-time Perry Hall Christian Church as a Guidance Conselor.  He's a current member of the Nominating, Adult Christian Growth & Nurture Committees, Choir. Walt also currently teaches the Teammates Sunday School class.	Steve Carroll (2011)
Robert (Bob) L. Florence (2010) Member of DPC since 1990. Bob is married to Betty Jean, with one daughter Julia and two granddaughters, Megan and Brittany. He has been been an ordained elder for nine years, and is currently serving his third term. Bob also serves as an Ushering Captain, and participates in many special activities. While serving in the US Army Bob was an MP (military policeman), then before retiring he worked twenty years in a machine shop, and then twenty-six years as a mechanic and shop foreman.	Cliff Madden (2011)
John F. Mason, Jr. (2009) Member of DPC since 1985. John has been married to Christine for thirty-six years and have four grandchildren. Both John and Christian attend Sunday School together and are active in various church ministries. He has been been an ordained elder for ten years, and is currently serving his second term. John is the Clerk of the Session and also serves as as the Church's Financial Secretary, is a Choir member, and Co-Teaches the Messengers Bible Study. John is an Accountant currently working for the University of Maryland.	Michael Scanlon (2009) Member of DPC since 1992. Mike has been married twenty-five years to his wife Alice Lee, who is also very active in the life of DPC. They have two grown sons, Adam and Andrew. Mike and Alice attend Sunday School together, and have previously lead the Sr. High Youth group for a number of years.. Mike has been been an ordained elder for ten years, and is currently serving his third term. In addition to his work on the Session, Mike currently heads the Sound & Recording Ministry, is a member of the Praise Band, and was a Trustee. Mike is an Electrician currently working for the past thirteen years at Sparrows Point.
Frank P. Straka (2010) Member of DPC since 1974. He has been married to Shirley for fifty-two years; has two children, Kevin (married to Gabriele) and Paula; and has one grandchild, Heidi. Frank has been an ordained elder for thirty-two years serving six terms on the Session. He was serving as an Elder during the severance of DPC from the UPC USA on April 27, 1980, He has also server as a Trustee and the church Treasurer. He spent 3 years in the Army for 53-55, and retired from Bethlehem Steel after thirty-five years.	William G. Swayne (2011) Bill and his wife Kay Ann have been married for twenty-three years and have two daughters Jennifer and Courtney. This is Bill's second term as and Elder and he is also serves on the Hospitality, Children's Christian Growth and Nurture, and the Ushering Committees. He has also served on the Board of Trustees. Both Bill and Kay Ann are both active members of the Teammates Bible Study
Reverend Darian G. Burns  Pastor and Moderator of the Session. Pastor Burns has over twenty years of experience in all levels of ministry. He has preached in churches throughout the South Eastern United States, Missouri and Illinois. In addition to preaching Pastor Bums has served churches as an Associate Pastor, Minister of Youth and Minister of Music. Pastor Bums has his bachelors in History Education and his Masters of Divinity degree from Covenant Theological Seminary. Pastor Bums and his wife Edith have three sons: Jonathan, Matthew, and Micah.

Elders

According to Scripture, those who bear this office should exhibit characteristics of life. This includes being blameless in life, sound in the faith, wise in the things of God, and discreet in all things. Persons who fill this office should exhibit a lifestyle that is an example to all, both in and outside the Church.

Chosen by the people of a particular congregation, Ruling Elders are to watch over the special welfare of that congregation. Thus, a Ruling Elder should study and learn the Word and become equipped to teach that Word, even to supplying a regular ministry of the Word where none is available. The Ruling Elder should be adept at leading worship and at leading in prayer. As an Undershepherd, that person should visit the sick, the bereaved, the lonely, the aged, the shut-in, and all those who have a pastoral need. In cases where there is a special need, the ruling Elder shall be careful to inform the Pastor. It is especially incumbent upon the Ruling Elder to see the development of the children of the congregation, to inquire after the inactive members, to encourage new members in spiritual development, and to otherwise show care for those whom they serve. They should be diligent to watch for moral failures and seek to warn, to admonish, and otherwise to reclaim those who stray. In special cases, where it is deemed necessary, such failures should be brought to the attention of the Church Session for appropriate action of discipline. As the law of love places certain duties upon each Christian, the Ruling Elder is especially bound to fulfill those duties and to be an example to all.

I Timothy 3:1-7
 

"Here is a trustworthy saying: If anyone sets his heart on being an overseer, he desires a noble task. 2_Now the overseer must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. 4He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him with proper respect. 5 (If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God's church?) 6 He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil. 7 He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil's trap."

Titus 1:6-9:

"An elder must be blameless, the husband of but one wife, a man whose children believe and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient. 7 Since an overseer is entrusted with God's work, he must be blameless-not overbearing, not quick­tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain. 8Rather he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined. 9He must holdfirmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it. "

The Session

Consists of Teaching Elders, and Ruling Elders who are elected by the congregation. Their duties include:

1. Examining and receiving new members.

2. Serving communion.

3. Corresponding with other congregations.

4. Administering the scholarship program.

5. Oversight of the Board of Deacons.

6. General oversight (as undershepherds) of the spiritual welfare of the congregation.

The elders who rule well are to be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching. 
                                                                         1 Timothy 5:17  (NASB)