Term Eldership

I am not sure that Term Eldership works. I am an elder at Calvin, Abbotsford, B.C. Our congregation has been allowed to experiment with term eldership. We have been doing this for several years. Our term is six years. Unfortunately, it is has been difficult to replace elders whose term is up. That leaves more and more work with fewer elders to do it. I believe the old system, life eldership, can work. I know that it requires a great deal of commitment on the part of certain people, however, under the old system, a person could demit from the office if they felt they could no longer do the work, or take a sabbatical year (or two) if they needed a break. I know that the reason we are considering term eldership is that it is difficult to get people to commit to a life-time position. If that is the case, then six years is too long. Other denominations have three-year terms. Theologically speaking, it creates a distinction between two different types of elders: the teaching elder (i.e. the minister) whose term is life, and the ruling elder whose term is six years. I know that people say once an elder always an elder, but that does not work out in practice. Once a ruling elder's term is up, his/her rightful authority is stripped from him/her. He/she cannot act as an elder in his/her own church. He/she cannot attend session meetings or exercise to the full his/her leadership ability. I would encourage further thought on this matter. Paul says to Timothy in I Timothy 3:1, “The saying is sure: whoever aspires to the office of bishop (overseer), desires a noble task.” Term eldership, I believe, may make it a little less noble. Eldership in the Church of Jesus Christ is a very important calling. Let's treat it as such. (One alternative might be to let those who are willing to serve longer (indefinite) terms do so and allow those who are willing to do shorter terms do so.)