Leadership
Consistory: Pastor, Elders, Deacons
The Arlington Community Church has sought to follow the practice of the churches whose experience is recorded in the New Testament. The churches then were lead by “presbyters” or “elders,” just as the synagogues from which the first Christian converts came were ruled by elders.
Elders are chosen members of spiritual discernment, exemplary life, charitable spirit, and wisdom grounded in God’s Word. The pastor is an elder of a special kind, therefore the pastor and elders govern the church together. The elders, together with the pastor constitute a board of elders with specified responsibilities.
In the New Testament, deacons were chosen to help with the leading of the church in order that the elders could give their attention to prayer and the ministry of the Word. The office of the deacon is one of servanthood and service representing Christ through the action of the Holy Spirit. The deacons constitute a board of deacons with specified duties and responsibilities.
Together, the pastor, elders and deacons constitute the consistory, the church board. The elders and deacons within the consistory complement each other and are mutually supportive and mutually accountable. The consistory governs the life and ministry of our congregation.
Jesus Christ is the only head of the church, and Christ alone holds ultimate authority. Thus, all authority exercised in the church is derived from Christ. When our consistory comes together to oversee and enable the life of the congregation, it is Christ’s governance they seek to effect, not oversight born of their own wisdom.
Through the operations of the consistory, the congregation is prepared to represent Christ and Christ’s kingdom. Each of the offices has its set of responsibilities and tasks within the congregation, and thus each office brings a particular perspective to the work of consistory.
The Arlington Community Church has sought to follow the practice of the churches whose experience is recorded in the New Testament. The churches then were lead by “presbyters” or “elders,” just as the synagogues from which the first Christian converts came were ruled by elders.
Elders are chosen members of spiritual discernment, exemplary life, charitable spirit, and wisdom grounded in God’s Word. The pastor is an elder of a special kind, therefore the pastor and elders govern the church together. The elders, together with the pastor constitute a board of elders with specified responsibilities.
In the New Testament, deacons were chosen to help with the leading of the church in order that the elders could give their attention to prayer and the ministry of the Word. The office of the deacon is one of servanthood and service representing Christ through the action of the Holy Spirit. The deacons constitute a board of deacons with specified duties and responsibilities.
Together, the pastor, elders and deacons constitute the consistory, the church board. The elders and deacons within the consistory complement each other and are mutually supportive and mutually accountable. The consistory governs the life and ministry of our congregation.
Jesus Christ is the only head of the church, and Christ alone holds ultimate authority. Thus, all authority exercised in the church is derived from Christ. When our consistory comes together to oversee and enable the life of the congregation, it is Christ’s governance they seek to effect, not oversight born of their own wisdom.
Through the operations of the consistory, the congregation is prepared to represent Christ and Christ’s kingdom. Each of the offices has its set of responsibilities and tasks within the congregation, and thus each office brings a particular perspective to the work of consistory.
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Pastor Frank Gallo
Pastor Frank is an elder on the consistory and has been an Ordained Minister since 2011, serving at Arlington Community Church since 2019. Pastor loves preaching and teaching God's Word to others. Frank is also an accomplished musician and singer-often leading worship on Sundays. Pastor Frank has served as a worship leader and lead Recovery Outreach ministries for many years- bringing weekly bible studies and church services at several treatment facilities in Dutchess and Putnam Counties. Frank’s passion is to communicate God’s grace and mercy to those outside and inside of the church. Frank has a broadcast ministry on Facebook, called Frank G Midnight Pastor, where he ministers to many with music and encouraging messages. Pastor Frank studied Accounting & Finance at Pace University, Pleasantville, NY and has a background in business. In addition to being Pastor at Arlington Community Church, Frank currently works as an insurance appraiser and often combines videos and images from his travels with scriptural insights on his Frank G Midnight Pastor and the Arlington Community Church Facebook pages. Frank is married to Shari and they live in Poughkeepsie, NY, They share six adult children and are very active in the lives of their grandchildren. Shari is an amazing cook and has taught recipes and culinary techniques in groups and online. |
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Cynthia Canaday, Church Administrator
Cynthia Canaday is an elder on the consistory and has been a part of the Arlington Community Church family since 2013. She served in many administrative and support ministries since then, becoming the Church Administrator formally in 2016. Cynthia holds a MA degree in counseling with a minor in Church Administration. Cynthia loves the work of the church and connecting with people, having worked for many years in agencies and counseling ministries as the director-developing and designing programs, and direct care with clients from all backgrounds and walks of life. Cynthia often serves with the worship team playing the keyboard and singing. She designs the seasonal programs around Christmas, Easter and other church calendar dates. Cynthia is married to Jerry and they have four children and three grandchildren. They live in Poughkeepsie, NY. She enjoys reading, walking, music of all kinds, cooking, family and church life. |