Constitution Chapter 4 – Removal of Elders and Deacons

If one of the saints believes an elder or deacon may be morally or doctrinally unfit for his office, the scriptural requirement for him is clear: he is to approach that officer individually first (Matt. 18:15), and then with one or two others (Matt. 18:16). If the problem remains, then the individual, with the two or three witnesses, should come to the elder board and present the charges (1 Tim. 5:19). If the charges are doctrinal or moral in nature, and if the elder board, excluding (if applicable) the accused elder, unanimously decides that the question merits an investigation and/or trial, then they will (a) inform the heads of households of the nature of the charges, (b) announce the date(s) of the scheduled investigation and/or trial, and (c) encourage the heads of households to attend.

If the charges are unanimously sustained by the elders, then the accused elder or deacon, depending on the gravity of the charges and his response to correction, may be rebuked in the presence of the congregation (1 Tim. 5:20), or may be removed from the office of elder or deacon (1 Tim. 3:1-13; Tit. 1:5-9), or both.