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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 Webinar: Good Stewards of God’s Grace
March 30, 2022; 7–8:30 pm (eastern)
“Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received” (1 Pet. 4:10). As spiritual leaders in the congregation, deacons and ruling elders have vital gifts to offer in the leadership of worship. This webinar will help to equip ruling elders and deacons for particular roles and responsibilities as worship leaders in a variety of settings, including: the Service for the Lord’s Day; services of ordination, installation, and commissioning; the extended service of communion; and other ministries of compassion and care with those who are sick, homebound, or hospitalized.

Watch the recording of the webinar here.

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 2022, each of these articles will draw from the recent resource, Coming Alive in Christ: Training for PC(USA) Ruling Elders and Deacons based on the Constitutional Questions and will focus on one of the questions asked during ordination/installation.A searchable archive of articles is available at equip.pcusa.org, under “Resources for Ruling Elders”.
 

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.