Regarding Ruling Elders series celebrates its 10th anniversary

The monthly columns have become a go-to source for Presbyterians in all realms of ordered ministry

by Layton Williams Berkes | Presbyterian News Service

Where do the years go? The monthly publication Regarding Ruling Elders is now 10 years old.

In 2014, Ministry Education and Support within the Office of the General Assembly established a recurring monthly column called Regarding Ruling Elders which sought to address the particular responsibilities, experiences, and needs of those called to serve the church as ruling elders. Now, Regarding Ruling Elders celebrates its 10^th year, a notable achievement amidst an ever-revolving door of resources, initiatives, and projects developed to support churches in the intervening years.

There is a motto that guides the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.): “ecclesia reformata, semper reformanda secundum verbi dei,” which means “the church reformed, and always reforming according to the Word of God.” This phrase frankly names and embraces the truth that the church is always evolving, and always has been, as God’s Spirit moves in new ways.

Still, this evolution is tempered by a commitment to tradition. One key tradition of Presbyterianism that has anchored it amidst waves of change is the guidance and leadership of ruling elders.

Ruling elders are non-clergy church members who are called and ordained to work alongside ministers of Word and Sacrament (also called teaching elders) in leading their congregations. According to the Book of Order, ruling elders “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). The tradition of elders derives from the early church as depicted in the New Testament and has been a defining element of Presbyterianism throughout its life.

Martha Miller

Ruling elders provide essential leadership without the benefit of a dedicated seminary degree or full-time pay. Martha Miller, who serves as Manager for Ministry Education and Support, said the “series of articles began as a way of lifting up the responsibilities of ruling elders and the important ways that they serve Christ’s church.”

Regarding Ruling Elders articles also provide support and guidance in ways that are accessible, digestible, and implementable. Miller said, “Questions for reflection/discussion have been included in every article to provide a way for ruling elders to connect the content with their own call.” Writers are intentionally chosen from a variety of backgrounds and have included the Rev. Dr. Rodger Nishioka, the senior pastor at Village Presbyterian Church in Prairie Village, Kanas, and the Rev. Julie Hester, a pastor, writer and workshop leader.

The Rev. Dr. Rodger Nishioka

While the first couple of years of Regarding Ruling Elders focused closely on very specific responsibilities of ruling elders, eventually it shifted to theme-based series with writers contracted to write multiple articles on a chosen theme. An annual stewardship series has been particularly popular.

The column’s usefulness is evidenced by its dedicated following. Over 2,500 people subscribe to a monthly e-newsletter that alerts them when the newest column is published. Each month’s edition is published in Spanish and Korean as well as in English. Miller noted that they have heard from many congregations who send the columns to their elders or even use the discussion questions during session meetings.

Miller is thrilled that the column has had such staying power.

“To be honest, when the articles began, there wasn’t a plan that they would continue past an initial year or maybe beyond three years, the typical term of a ruling elder,” Miller said, explaining that they received such favorable feedback that they decided to continue and expand what the column covered.

In fact, Miller noted that Regarding Ruler Elders was the start of establishing a larger initiative called “Leader Formation: Investing in Ruling Elders and Deacons,” which includes webinars, podcasts, and resources for both elders and deacons.

In 2025, Regarding Ruling Elders will draw its material from the “Foundations of Presbyterian Polity” section in the Book of Order. Looking to the future, Miller encourages congregations to find creative new ways to use the resource. She offered the following possibilities to engage the resource:

• Designate one ruling elder or staff person to forward the web link to all ruling elders when new articles are released on the 15^th of each month
• Encourage ruling elders to add their contact information to the Ruling Elder Network to receive a notice when articles are released
• Cut and paste the article in your church or mid council newsletter
• Use the current month’s article for discussion at the monthly session meeting
• Compile the articles for use at ruling elder training
• Post the articles and/or a link to the ruling elder website on the church website
• Use the articles in a group of teaching elders to spark discussion about ways of assisting ruling elders in that particular part of their ministry role.

Reproduction of any article from the series is welcomed and should include appropriate attribution.

Miller said she hopes to hear more from people who are benefitting from the articles, and especially encourages anyone with ideas to reach out.