Ruling Elders

“Presbyterian” comes from the Greek word for “Elders” and refers to our understanding that the Biblical model for church government is based on oversight by a board of Elders, traditionally called the Session. The Bible gives three general responsibilities to the elders of a church: Teaching, Ruling, and Shepherding. Our Teaching Elders are the ordained clergy on the church staff who are examined by the Platte Valley Presbytery (the Teaching and Ruling Elders in our district). Our Ruling Elders are laymen, ordained to the office after being examined by the Zion Session and found to meet the requirements of 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1.

Wayne Howlett

Wayne has been a Ruling Elder since 1989, and has returned to Lincoln after spending 20 years as a missionary with SIL-Wycliff Bible Translators. Wayne also serves on the Zion staff as part-time administrator. Wayne is married to Marsha, and they have four children: Jason, Kate (Odell), Sarah (Duble), and Philip.

Jim Locklear

Jim has been an Elder since 1986 (with a break of some years while his family lived in Kansas). He is the outgoing Director of the Nebraska State Arboretum at the University of Nebraska. He is married to Lynn (who serves on the Zion staff as office manager), and they have three children: Kendra, Karen (Choi), and Greg.

Dennis Mann

Dennis became an Elder in 1990. He is an Assistant Principal at East High School. He is married to Sara, and they have two children: Erica (Carey) and Evan.

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Jeff Downing

Jeff has served as an Elder since 1995. He is an attorney for a Lincoln law firm. He is married to Diane and they have five children: Kelsey, Spencer, Hudson, Knox, and Gracie.

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Lee Grossman

Lee joined the Session in 1998. He is the president of Grossman Financial Planning. He is married to Christie and they have two children: Caitlin (Matthews) and Lucas.

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Gary Young

Gary became an Elder in 1998. He is an attorney for a Lincoln law firm. He is married to Jen and they have four children: Jack, Jamie, Lilly, and Graham.

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John Anderson

John has been an Elder since 1999. He is the Associate Dean of the College of Business Administration at the University of Nebraska, and spent a year in Washington DC at the President’s Council of Economic Advisers. He is married to MaryAnn and they have five children: Mark, Eric, Esther (Bryan), Frances, and Natalie.