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Ruling Elders

Ruling Elders

DEFINITION OF RULING ELDER FROM THE BOOK OF ORDER (G-2.0301)

“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 discernment of God’s Spirit and governance of God’s people. (continue reading)

Leader Formation

Leader Formation: Investing in Ruling Elders and Deacons
As Christians, we are in a continuous process of growth in relationship with God, each other, and self. This is also true of those who have been called to serve in the ordered ministries of the church as ruling elders and deacons. Resources specifically geared toward this ecclesial growth are provided through webinars, articles and events. Visit the Leader Formation page and sign up to receive periodic updates of events and resources.

Leader Formation

Along the Road—A Podcast for Church Leaders
Ministry in the church can be life-giving and life-changing and, in the midst of it, we all need faithful companions along the road. Welcome to Along the Road—a podcast on faith and leadership for ministry leaders of the PC(USA). Nourish episodes, available every other week, are geared specifically to ruling elders and deacons. Stream episodes on your favorite streaming service or get more information and listen here.

Employment Guidance for Sessions and Session Personnel Committees
A resource is now available for the personnel processes and policies of church sessions. This guide which explores topics such as hiring and oversight of staff, roles of various individuals and groups in the process, and compliance with civil law—with reflections on Presbyterian theological perspective and our commitment to equity and inclusion—is designed for congregations of all sizes.

Coming Alive in Christ

Coming Alive in Christ: Training for PC(USA) Ruling Elders and Deacons based on the Constitutional Questions
This multi-session resource, delivered through Equip, is created for 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, questions for discussion and reflection are included. Leader Guides are provided; one using a monthly format of one question per lesson and the other using a three-lesson format.

Resources for Ministry
Links to resources for ruling elder training, books on ruling elder ministries, polity materials, and other useful tools are available here.

Regarding Ruling Elders: A Monthly Series for Serving Faithfully

Ruling elders logoRuling 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 series seeks to lift up the specific responsibilities while also providing an opportunity to reflect upon how they are lived out, including resources that seeks to nurture the spiritual life of leaders. Throughout 2023 and 2024, monthly Regarding Ruling Elders articles will alternate between a deep dive into the ways ruling elders discern and measure the life of a congregation through the ministry of members and stories about how ruling elders are using their call and gifts as they move about within and beyond the walls of the congregation. The full article archives by topic are available in English, Español and Korean.
 

Ways to Use Regarding Ruling Elders
Articles published as a part of the Regarding Ruling Elders series are meant to benefit ruling elders and other leaders in the church as they serve in ministry throughout the PC(USA).  There are many ways these articles might be used. (continue reading) 

Ruling Elder Network
News of events and items of interest, including notices of new issues of Regarding Ruling Elders, will be sent periodically to members of the network. Click here to signup.