When I was first asked to be a ruling elder in my church my instinct was to say ‘No.’ I reflected on it for a long time. When I finally did accept the challenge, I was ordained, as it turns out, on my birthday surrounded by family and friends.
No classes were offered, no guidance given. The five new elders ordained that day were told to read the Book of Forms, which we all did, only to find out later we were the only ones on that session who even knew that the document existed.
Our first session meeting was the following day. Confidentiality was the big word that was said over and over again. After the opening prayer and the constitution of the court, it seemed we were in a board of managers meeting. Everything that came before us had a financial implication and that seemed to be the criteria for making decisions.
One of the new elders asked: “Weren’t we supposed to be the spiritual leaders of the congregation?”
Silence followed and finally the minister said we would get to that aspect of our duties at other meetings.
Within days, I was asked to be the representative to our presbytery. I got the job not because of any knowledge of church government I might have had, but because no one else wanted anything to do with the courts of the church beyond the session. Presbytery was an eye-opener. Both teaching and ruling elders were equals, and they appeared to care for what was happening in their territory. Discussions and votes were not always civil, or even righteous, but the care that people had for whatever the issue was, was evident.
It didn’t take long to learn that Presbyterians don’t make decisions in a hurry. Who the moderator was determined how much prayer went into decisions both at session and presbytery. Often when disagreement was evident in the court, delays were enacted, with the hope that someone would get discouraged and change their position. In this inefficient way, God was still able to work with us and God’s kingdom grew, sometimes despite us.
The congregation declined to the point that we almost went to a half-time ministry. By the grace of God, circumstances in our community changed and the congregation decided that they had a place and purpose. Everyone became more active in prayer ministry, outreach, and getting out of our comfort zone. It took a number of years of ups and downs but that congregation has turned around and now is one to look up to for growth ideas.
That first year, I also was made a commissioner to the General Assembly, and went off having read the reports from cover to cover. We did not have first-time commissioner orientation that year so it was ‘try and stay awake and vote as best you could.’ The presbytery had not given any instruction either as to what to expect. Both of those would have been helpful and my votes may have made more sense. I have had the great privilege of serving as a commissioner four more times since then. Great changes have occurred over the last 20-plus years; with experience my votes are more intelligent.
Having a district to oversee as an elder is an interesting experience. As one of the new elders, my district was the leftovers from those persons who were on the roll. I had families and singles, people who had very little contact with the congregation, and those who had come recently. Some people were happy to see me, but most did not want any visitors from the church. The norm had been to visit when finances were needed and it took a while for people to realize we were not asking for money.
After 10 years my circumstances changed and I moved to another community and congregation. Within a couple of years, I was once again asked to consider being an elder in that place. The election was again by ballot and I was elected.
This session was very different from the first one. Here only the minister gave any prayer or devotional whereas in the first congregation it was the elders who did the praying and the minister only constituted the court. Districts were assigned with the needs of the elder and parish considered. Many of the older elders changed the people in their districts around to accommodate the new people.
Being now in an older congregation that is not growing, and having ministers that leave after a short time, the session has been used to having different moderators with different styles. Finances are important to this group as well, but not to the extent that they are not trying to discern their future in God’s kingdom. We have some children and youth, and are making an effort to discern how to help young families be welcome in our place of worship.
Being involved in presbytery has continued, and educational experiences have been undertaken over the years. Prayer and Bible study have been the area in which I have spent most of my time. The role of ruling elder has been the most fulfilling job I could have ever imagined. Yes it is frustrating and there are days when I wonder why I continue. I don’t always get my way when ideas are presented and voted on, but God does work in the church court. Hindsight is 20/20 and some of my desires were not what was best for the church.
If any of you reading this are ever asked to be a ruling elder, consider this: You will be challenged in your beliefs, strengthened in your faith, and be more fulfilled than you ever believed possible.
