Elders – Teaching and Ruling
Presbuteros, the Greek word meaning elder, is used 72 times in the New Testament. The Presbyterian Church takes its name from the greek word presbyter meaning elder. In the Presbyterian Church, (U.S.A.) there are two offices of elder, teaching and rulling elders.
Teaching elders are pastors or ministers of the Word and Sacrament. Teaching elders meet the requirements for ordination within the church, such as, education, and are approved and ordained by the presbytery. Teaching elders are members of a particular Presbytery and are under the jurisdiction of the presbytery, in which they are called to serve.
Ruling Elders are members within a particular congregation, who have been elected by the congregation to serve on the church Session. Ruling Elders are ordained to the office of Ruling Elders by the particular church.
Teaching elders are pastors or ministers of the Word and Sacrament. Teaching elders meet the requirements for ordination within the church, such as, education, and are approved and ordained by the presbytery. Teaching elders are members of a particular Presbytery and are under the jurisdiction of the presbytery, in which they are called to serve.
Ruling Elders are members within a particular congregation, who have been elected by the congregation to serve on the church Session. Ruling Elders are ordained to the office of Ruling Elders by the particular church.
McClellandtown Session Members serving during 2013
The Church Session - Ruling Elders
As there were in Old Testament times elders for the government of the people, so the New Testament Church provided persons with particular gifts to share in governing and ministry.
Ruling Elders in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) are chosen by the people. Together with Teaching Elders or ministers of the Word and Sacrament, they exercise leadership, government, and discipline and have responsibilities for the life of a particular church as well as the church at
large, including ecumenical relationships. Ruling elders are elected for three year terms serving during rotating classes with three elders elected by the congregation each year. Ruling elders can not serve more than two consecutive three year terms.
It is the duty of elders, individually and jointly, to strengthen and nurture the faith and life of the congregation committed to their charge. Together with the pastor, they should encourage the
people in the worship and service of God, equip and renew them for their tasks within the church and for their mission in the world, visit and comfort and care for the people, with special attention to the poor, the sick, the lonely, and those who are oppressed. The session is responsible for the mission and government of the particular church.
The Session therefore has the responsibility and power
Ruling Elders in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) are chosen by the people. Together with Teaching Elders or ministers of the Word and Sacrament, they exercise leadership, government, and discipline and have responsibilities for the life of a particular church as well as the church at
large, including ecumenical relationships. Ruling elders are elected for three year terms serving during rotating classes with three elders elected by the congregation each year. Ruling elders can not serve more than two consecutive three year terms.
It is the duty of elders, individually and jointly, to strengthen and nurture the faith and life of the congregation committed to their charge. Together with the pastor, they should encourage the
people in the worship and service of God, equip and renew them for their tasks within the church and for their mission in the world, visit and comfort and care for the people, with special attention to the poor, the sick, the lonely, and those who are oppressed. The session is responsible for the mission and government of the particular church.
The Session therefore has the responsibility and power
- to provide opportunities for evangelism to be learned and practiced in and
by the church, that members may be better equipped to articulate their
faith, to witness in word and deed to the saving grace of Jesus Christ, and
to invite persons into a new life in Christ. - to receive members into the church upon profession of faith, upon reaffirmation of faith in Jesus Christ, or upon satisfactory certification of transfer of church membership, provided
that - membership shall not be denied any person because of race, economic or
social circumstances, or any other reason not related to profession of faith; to
keep an accurate roll of the membership of the church. - to lead the congregation in participation in the mission of the whole Church in the
world. - to provide for the worship of the people of God, including the preaching of the Word, the sharing of the Sacraments and for the music program.
- to provide for the growth of its members and equipping them for ministry through personal and pastoral care, educational ministries, sharing in fellowship and mutual support, and opportunities for witness and service in the world.
- to lead the congregation in ministries of personal and social healing and reconciliation and lead the congregation continually to discover what God is doing in the world in the communities in which the church lives and bears its witness;
- to establish the annual budget, determine the distribution of the church’s benevolences, and order offerings for Christian purposes, to challenge the people of God with the privilege of
responsible - Christian stewardship of money and time and talents providing full information to the congregation of its decisions in such matters;
- to delegate and to supervise the work of the board of deacons and the board of trustees and all other organizations and task forces within the congregation, providing for support, report, review, and control to provide for the management of the property of the church, including the appropriate use of church buildings, facilities, and other property.
