As the Apostle Paul gives Timothy instructions about officers in the first-century church in Ephesus where Timothy was working, he writes: “Although I hope to come to you soon, I am writing you these instructions so that, if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth” 1 Timothy 3:14,15 (NIV). Paul sets out the qualifications, the gifts given by the Spirit, that should characterize the church’s elders and deacons.
As the Apostle Paul planted new churches, elders were set apart to lead those churches in serving the Lord, “And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed” Acts 14:23 (ESV). As a Presbyterian church, Trinity is served by elders. “Ruling elders, individually and jointly with the pastor in the session, are to lead the church in the service of Christ” OPC Form of Government 10.1. They are elected by the congregation. Our elders periodically visit the members of the congregation to encourage them in their walk with the Lord. The session, or body of elders, presently includes Nathan Kent and Nolan Lynch.
The OPC Form of Government 11.1 reads: “The Scriptures designate the office of deacon as distinct and perpetual in the church. Deacons are called to show forth the compassion of Christ in a manifold ministry of mercy toward the saints and strangers on behalf of the church. To this end they exercise, in the fellowship of the church, a recognized stewardship of care and of gifts for those in need or distress. This service is distinct from that of rule in the church.”
Ben Kent, Deacon: Ben was called to serve the church through the office of Deacon in 2022. He’s a husband and father of three children. His family is one of the greatest blessings in his life. Outside of serving at church, he works as a general contractor, where he enjoys the hands-on work of building, creating, and solving problems. In his free time, he enjoys drawing, playing music, and spending time outdoors.
Nathan Kent, Elder: Nathan is a husband, father of 5 great kids, and a commercial real estate appraiser by trade. When he’s not working or spending time with his family, he is usually baking sourdough, reading, or playing sports – probably disc golf. Nathan is honored to serve the Lord and the congregation at Trinity as a 3rd generation OPC ruling elder.
Nolan Lynch, Elder: Nolan is writer of new myths for film, TV, video games, music, and more, and has served Trinity OPC as a ruling elder since July 2023. A Newberg native and sixth-generation Oregonian, he and his wife Emma have two children who already love Tolkien almost as much as their dad. In his spare time, he studies regenerative agriculture and traditional Celtic folk music.
Pastor John W. Mahaffy has recently retired as pastor of Trinity OPC after an impressive 49 years. He is an alumnus of Dordt College, Sioux Center, Iowa, (A.B., 1967), and of Westminster Theological Seminary, Philadelphia, PA, (B.D., 1970). He was ordained as a minister in the Orthodox Presbyterian Church in October 1970. Following a pastorate in Tulsa, Oklahoma, he came to Trinity Presbyterian Church, Newberg, in 1977.
Our ruling elders and deacons, together with other members elected by the congregation, serve as the board of trustees of the congregation. They have oversight of and provide care for the physical property of the church.
Ordination and installation of two new ruling elders and a new deacon to join our existing officers, July 23, 2023.