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Year of Leader Formation: Investing in Ruling Elders and Decons

Year of Leader Formation: Investing in Ruling Elders and Decons

Resources for the Year of Leader Formation

 

Coming Alive in Christ: Training for PC(USA) Ruling Elders and Deacons based on the Constitutional Questions

(Available late November 2020)
This multi-session resource, delivered through Equip, the PC(USA)’s online training site, is created for the study by and training of those serving as ruling elders and deacons. Based on the theological principles of the constitutional questions asked and answered in ordination, study guides are provided for leaders using a monthly format to last throughout the year and for a three-session retreat format.

Regarding Ruling Elders: A Monthly Series for Serving Faithfully

Regarding Ruling Elders Logo

Ruling elders are called to ministry in partnership with teaching elders. Within this calling, ruling elders have responsibilities in several areas of the life of the church including exercise in leadership, governance, spiritual discernment, and discipline. This long-standing series of articles that lifts up these responsibilities and ministries will continue in its usual format but with a leader formation thread running through each month’s issue beginning in 2021. The series will be written by Rev Dr Rodger Nishioka, Senior Associate and Director of Adult Educational Ministries at Village Church in Prairie Village, KS.

Articles available monthly at www.pcusa.org/rulingelders and with searchable archives at https://equip.pcusa.org/.

Webinar series 

During the Year of Leader Formation, ruling elders and deacons will have an opportunity to join together in three webinars. Details about these events will be available here.

Possible topics include:

  • Parliamentary Procedure
  • Deacon Panel 
  • Discerning Gifts

“Each Christian Has a Calling” Hymn 

David Gambrell, PC(USA) Associate for Worship, has written a hymn to celebrate the Year of Leader Formation. The score and a recording of “Each Christian Has A Calling” will be available here.

Additional Resources for Leader Formation: 

Scattered Church provides resources for congregations to think through and care for the reality that congregations are finding new ministries to and with those who are not able to be physically present when the congregation gathers. 

Everyday God-talk series, which provides 10 minute conversations about faith and the realities of living out the faith now.

Daily Prayer app is available in both iOS and Android. It is an easy way to follow the discipline of daily prayer – it puts the pieces together for you, in your hand. Praying? There is indeed an app for that.

Call to Worship, a subscription publication, provides worship resources, suggesting hymns, themes, music for worship services. It also has articles on topics in worship, the church, and the world.

1001 New Worshiping Communities (New Church New Way) is an online resource that includes a podcast for leaders and includes  recent seasons on Covid-19, racial injustice, and passing down the faith.

As Christians, we are in a continuous process of growth in relationship with God, each other, and self. This is especially true of those who have been called to service in the ordered ministries of the church. During 2021, resources specifically geared toward this ecclesial growth will be provided for those currently serving, and those preparing to serve, PC(USA) congregations as ruling elders and deacons. 

NEWS & UPDATES

News of events and resources related to the formation of ruling elders and deacons will be sent periodically to those subscribe.

CONTACTS

Martha Miller
Ministry Education and Support
1.888.728.7228 x5751
Martha.Miller@pcusa.org