As we consider the opportunities and concerns of an aging American population it might be a good time to ask why the word “elder” is used to describe the chief officers in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). In light of declining membership and the attempt to get the under 40 crowd involved in the leadership of our congregations would it not be better to refer to our leaders as “youngers?”
As the Book of Order points out (G- 6.0301), the term “elder” is not one chosen arbitrarily but has important biblical roots. In the Old Testament elders were literally the older men who were selected to rule the people of God (see Exodus 3:16; 12:21; 24:1 for examples). They sat in judgment in gates of the city in public assembly (Deuteronomy 25:7; 2 Chronicles 32:6; Proverbs 31:23; Isaiah 13:2). It was at these places that justice was established (Amos 5:15) and commerce was conducted. Archaeological excavations have uncovered the actual stone benches they used at Gezer, for example, on three sides of the six-chambered gate. At Dan a special seat of decorated stone was located at the right of the massive entryway where the business of the city was decided.* In the New Testament the Greek word for elder (presbuteros) describes the leaders chosen to govern the congregations that the apostles instituted in the fledgling Christian church (Acts 14:23; Titus 1:5; see Acts 20:17; 1 Timothy 4:14; 2 John 1; 3 John 1). It is also used to identify the leaders of first century Jewish communities (Matthew 15:2; 16:21; Mark 7:3, 5; Acts 4: 5, 8, 23; 6:12). 1 Timothy 5:17-22 presents what the church required of its new spiritual and administrative directors.
In the PC(USA) we no longer expect that our leadership will only consist of older men. Age and sex restrictions are prohibited (G-6.0105) and the requirements to serve are based now on considerations of commitment, one’s abilities, and God’s call. “Elders should be persons of faith, dedication, and good judgment. Their manner of life should be a demonstration of the Christian gospel, both within the church and world” (G- 6.0303). As Presbyterians we recognize not only that women and men are equally qualified to serve, but we also require that we give “fair representation to persons of all age groups and of all racial ethnic members and persons with disabilities” who are members of the congregation (G-14.0202b).
As followers of Jesus Christ our one hope is that the officers who serve on the session will have sufficient experience to lead, strong faith in Jesus Christ, and spiritual gifts and acquired talents that enable them to fulfill the tasks required of them (G-10.0000). They are required to have a style of life that demonstrates they are committed to following Jesus Christ as his disciples (G-6.0106a).
Although congregations need the experience of men and women who have served the church faithfully for many years and know how congregations operate and what they need, older people do not intrinsically have a monopoly on spiritual wisdom and insight. The church, furthermore, is entering a period when it is increasingly difficult to attract young men and women to service. If they are not allowed to assume leadership and become “younger” elders, if they are not enabled to work with people who can help them learn how to invest their wealth of youth, we cannot expect the church to move strongly into the future to which the Holy Spirit is leading us.
Yet we need older elders in the church. We cannot survive without their knowledge of what has worked and what has failed in the past. We need to know what it means to have been there and done that. But it is also important to remember the difficulty imposed by any system that denies leadership to younger people because they are not experienced enough. The biblical record reminds us that God did not have restrictions like that in mind as the leaders of the people of God were called to service. Jeremiah was so young when he was selected by God to be a prophet that he still called himself a “boy”. But the Lord said to him, “Do not say, ‘I am only a boy’; for you shall go to all to whom I send you and you shall speak whatever I command you” (Jeremiah 1:4-8). Likewise in the New Testament Timothy is instructed to refuse to let anyone ridicule his youth. All he has to do to qualify as a leader is to “set the believers an example in speech and conduct, in love, in faith, and purity” (1 Timothy 4:11). Mary, the mother of Jesus, was only a teenager when the Holy Spirit came upon her.
What is an elder, older or younger? Perhaps we need to reconsider our definitions as we prepare the church for the rest of the 21st century.
* Borowski, Oded, Daily Life in Biblical Times (Atlanta: Society of Biblical Literature, 2003) 47-48. Philip J. King and Lawrence E. Stagner, Life in Biblical Israel (Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 2001) 234-236.
EARL JOHNSON JR. is the pastor of First Church, Johnstown, N.Y. and Adjunct Professor of Religious Studies at Siena College. He was ordained in 1967.
