Advertisement
Holy Week resources and reflections

Elders urged to re-think role, take risks, be “dangerous”

ATLANTA — “The office of elder is not just some job in the church. It is a distinct call and the key to the renewal of the Presbyterian Church.”

PC(USA) Stated Clerk Gradye Parsons opened his workshop, “Becoming Dangerous Elders,” with those words. The workshop was part of the National Elders Conference held here in mid-June as part of the first-ever Big Tent, which gathered 10 conferences under one roof.

Parsons went on to note that with the 500th anniversary of John Calvin’s birth this year, we celebrate Calvin’s understanding of the office of elder.

“Elders are called to service to change the world according to God’s plan. The office is not just about fixing the roof,” he said. “Central in the role of elder is relationship.”

Parsons urged elders to focus on nurturing faith and relationships as the office is set out according to the Book of Order. “It is much more exciting than taking care of the budget or the building,” he said.

Elders are meant to be visible, leading worship, working along with the pastor in pastoral care and pushing the envelope on trying new things.

“My basic understanding of the Gospel is that it is about change, and that can be scary,” Parsons said. The bottom line: being a dangerous elder is all about relationships and trying new ways of being, despite our fears of failure.

“We have to be willing to take risks,” Parsons said.

LATEST STORIES

Advertisement