14I hope to come to you soon, but I am writing these instructions to you so that, 15 if I am delayed, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth.
1 Timothy 3:14-15
Becoming a Elder at Wayne Presbyterian Church
A CALL TO SERVICE
Elders are entrusted with the role of spiritual leaders, tasked with nurturing and strengthening the faith and life of the congregation under their care. According to the Constitution of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), elders are directed to involve members in the church’s mission and to create opportunities for evangelism, pastoral care, worship, education, and stewardship (Book of Order, G-10.0100).
Elders are called to lead, govern, and maintain discipline within the church (Book of Order, G-60302). In the Presbyterian Church, congregations share a common system of governance that ensures due process during disputes and upholds equality for all. This structure allows members to voice their concerns and suggestions and helps ensure that church finances are responsibly managed and the mission is faithfully executed.
ELDERS DEFINED:
Both of the following terms are used interchangeably to refer to “elders”:
• presbuteros — Greek word for elder, from which we derive the English word presbyter
• episkopos — Greek word for overseer, from which we derive the English word episcopal, meaning bishop-led
In the PC(USA)
The role of elder has its roots in the early church, but various church traditions have come to define the role in different ways. The following terms are used in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and some other churches in the Reformed tradition:
- elders — elected members who are ordained to serve as the governing body (session) of a particular congregation
- presbyters — both elders and ministers together
- presbytery — a group of congregations in one geographic region
- ruling elders — members of a church session
- teaching elders — ministers
G-2.03 RULING ELDERS: THE MINISTRY OF DISCERNMENT AND GOVERNANCE
According to the Book of Order G-2.0301: Ruling Elder Defined 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. Accordingly, congregations should elect persons of wisdom and maturity of faith, having demonstrated skills in leadership and being compassionate in spirit. Ruling elders are so named not because they “lord it over” the congregation (Matt. 20:25), but because they are chosen by the congregation to discern and measure its fidelity to the Word of God, and to strengthen and nurture its faith and life. Ruling elders, together with ministers of the Word and Sacrament, exercise leadership, government, spiritual discernment, and discipline and have responsibilities for the life of a congregation as well as the whole church, including ecumenical relationships. When elected by the congregation, they shall serve faithfully as members of the session. When elected as commissioners to higher councils, ruling elders participate and vote with the same authority as ministers of the Word and Sacrament, and they are eligible for any office.
Steps to becoming an Elder
Elders are nominated by Church members through the Nominating Committee. Before starting their term, new Deacons and Elders participate in training sessions led by pastors.
Elders are then voted upon in a congregational meeting and then ordained and installed.
Elders serve under the leadership of our Senior Pastor, Rev. Ryan Balsan and with the support of fellow Elders.
Term of Service: Elders serve for three years, attending monthly meetings (except in July and August).
Eligibility: To serve as an Elder, one must be an active member of the congregation for at least one year and demonstrate support for the Church’s mission and work.