So You're An Elder Now (2021)
James 5:13–20
Are any among you suffering? They should pray. Are any cheerful? They should sing songs of praise. Are any among you sick? They should call for the elders of the church and have them pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord. The prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise them up; and anyone who has committed sins will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective. Elijah was a human being like us, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth. Then he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain and the earth yielded its harvest. My brothers and sisters, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and is brought back by another, you should know that whoever brings back a sinner from wandering will save the sinner’s soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.
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Let me throw a word out there, presbyteros. No, it's not medical jargon for some new kind of medication; it's the Greek word that means elder, and if you didn't guess already, presbyteros is where we get our name as Presbyterians. We are a church governed by ruling elders and teaching elders (Ministers of Word and Sacrament) who oversee the governance and spiritual life of the church. In our reflection today, we will see how ruling elders have evolved, moving from being a position held by older men to one that now includes a broad spectrum of individuals. The title of elder is steeped in a long history and finds its root in Scripture that challenges how we envision implementing our spiritual and physical gifts and talents.
What is a Ruling Elder? (According to Presbyterian Polity)
According to the Book of Order (Part 1 of the Presbyterian Constitution), “... “[C]ongregations 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…” (G-2.0301)
Freedom of Conscience
“So far as may be possible without serious departure from these standards, without infringing on the rights and views of others, and without obstructing the constitutional governance of the church, freedom of conscience with respect to the interpretation of Scripture is to be maintained.” (G-2.0105)
We value freedom as Presbyterians; just look at the eleven signatories of the Declaration of Independence who were Presbyterians, yet liberty does not mean we can do whatever we want; we are Presbyterians (decently and in order) after all. What I love most about this freedom of conscience clause is that it reaffirms the fact; that while we are governed a certain way and worship a certain way, we are still God's people who individually bring varying life experiences, theologies, and views to the table that might always match. Still, we strive to respect and live in the community we have with one another.
The Work of Ruling Elders
Ministry In A Larger Context:
Ruling Elders make up the backbone of the Presbyterian Church. Not everyone knows this, but many Ruling Elders serve in administrative positions at the presbytery, synod, and general assembly levels. Our Hudson River Presbytery is an example of a church council that called a Ruling Elder to serve by acknowledging their spiritual gifts. And that's important to note that all these church bodies, councils, bishops, or archbishops do not govern them. Instead, they are guided by people who worship at their local church. Yes, some "elders" receive advanced education at seminaries for the preaching and teaching of the Word. Still, just as many elders provide leadership based on their spiritual maturity and numerous other gifts that they bring to the table.
Local Context:
It's essential to see the larger context in which Ruling Elders as church officers function because it emphasizes our core belief that the church is a communal endeavor, and it puts the work of Ruling Elders here in this church into perspective as well. Here in this church, Ruling Elders work to oversee the vital functions of the church. In partnership with the Teaching Elder (Minister of Word and Sacrament), Ruling Elders work together to discern the course of the church's ministry and how it might best provide spiritual nourishment and outreach to members of the broader community.
Experience w/ Elders:
Youth Elders
Clerk of Session - Highest Office in Local Church
Pastor overseas worship and session overseas the kitchen sink, on paper that is.
Embodying the Ministry of Ruling Elders
Being a Ruling Elder does not imbue you with special rights, privileges, or powers. On the contrary, as the Book of Order mentions, Ruling Elders are called so not because they lord it over others; they are called so because they use their spiritual maturity and gifts to better all. In our passage this morning, we are reminded of the role that elders play in the life of the church and leaders who oversee the day-to-day functions of the church and provide for the spiritual life. Elders pray together, pray for our community, our neighbors, creation, and work towards helping guide the church in manifesting the reconciling power of God in the world.
We should remember that one does not have to sit on Session to play an active role in the church's life. While our Scripture reading today points out that some are uniquely called, we all have a responsibility to put some skin in the game, so to speak, when it comes to living in a community with one another. Let us pray without ceasing for the wellbeing of those in this church and those who live nearby and far away. Let us hold one another accountable, keeping us in the spirit of God's life-giving love and grace. By incorporating these things into our daily practices, we remain faithful to what is written in our passage for today and to the call of discipleship written on our hearts. Amen.