Meet Elder Candidate Barry Saunders
On Sunday, November 24th, immediately after the worship service, we will vote on Barry Saunders’s candidacy for the office of Elder.
An Elder is a member of the church called by God and set apart as a servant-leader, teacher, and shepherd. Elders at City Church assist the pastors in leading and caring for members, regular attendees, and visitors. The apostle Paul appointed elders at many of the churches he started (Acts 20:17-38); they were an integral part of the early church.
Barry was nominated as an Elder earlier this year. Since then, he has taken part in our Leadership Basics class which covers the duties and responsibilities of church office, the theology of the Presbyterian Church, and the Biblical qualifications for office. As an Elder candidate, Barry also completed additional training and testing. Now that Barry has been approved by the session, he will go before the congregation for election.
Where were you born and/or raised?
I was born in South Boston, VA (because there wasn't a hospital in South Hill, VA, my Mom's hometown). We moved to Richmond when I was four, and I grew up on the Henrico-side of the near West End. Since childhood, I've also spent a good bit of my summers on Buggs Island Lake which is close to both South Hill and South Boston.
How do you spend your days?
I spend my favorite days with family and friends (and a rascally new pup named Gus), usually on bikes, boats, trails or porches. During the work week (and some weekends), I lead strategy for the YMCA, which means understanding what our communities need, what's ours to do about those needs, and how we can focus our team, expertise, resources and partnerships to deliver programs and services that help people thrive. It's good work.
When and how did you end up at City Church?
Our adult kids were the initial draw. In the early days, Emilie and I occasionally attended worship services with them. Then, a dozen years back, our first grandchild was born way premature with several life threatening challenges. Watching City Church folks love and uphold our kids and their fragile newbie caught my heart. About that time, our son connected me with some City Church guys who like riding bikes. And pretty quickly I found myself with a new group of friends—an ever expanding and contracting small group on wheels. Without ever intending to leave a church that we helped found, we realized that City Church's passion for Jesus and the city, heart for loving others, and commitment to authentic community had gotten inside of us.
Why did you decide to pursue the office of elder?
Initially, to understand more about the elder role and how it serves and leads our church. And to listen with willingness and openness for God's guidance and affirmation (or not). I'd served as an elder before, but this call felt different, weightier, an opportunity not to be entered into lightly. I was curious to see what God had for me and where the process would lead. Along the way, I felt more and more drawn to love and serve our community in this way.
What do you look forward to most about serving in this role?
From my view, City Church is entering a fresh season of maturing in our relationships with Jesus and one another and of serving Richmond and working for its renewal. I spend much of my days helping organizations figure out where they are going and why ... and how they are going to get there. I'm pretty excited about bringing that experience to serving our community in new ways.
If you’d like to get in touch with Barry prior to our Congregation Meeting, please reach out to him at barrysaundersrva@gmail.com.