Editor’s note: This is the fifth in a series of stories entitled: “What is a Presbyterian Elder?”
According to the Book of Order, elders have responsibilities that are rather broadly defined: “Together with ministers of the Word and Sacrament, they exercise leadership, government and discipline and have responsibilities for the life of a particular church as well as the church at large, including ecumenical relationships. They shall serve faithfully as members of the session“ (G-.0302).
In order to visualize where elders really spend their time and effort, I thought about the recent activities of our elders. A number of portraits came to mind that created an image more like a beehive than a congregation:
“¢ Our clerk of session filling out the latest General Assembly statistical report
“¢ Our treasurer struggling with Board of Pensions forms
“¢ The chairperson of the Mission Committee communicating with Presbyterian Disaster Assistance to arrange for a work party in Florida in October
“¢ An elder with culinary skill fixing dinner for the new Men’s Fellowship (the aromas made me hungry all that day)
“¢ The work of the elder who chaired our committee to raise funds for the presbytery’s capital drive for our camp
“¢ The members preparing a reception and feedback session when the Regional Director of Church World Service came to preach
“¢ The two men chosen to catch a bat that was loose in the basement
“¢ A retired businessman bringing a detailed proposal to the last session meeting for a 750,000 BTU boiler
“¢ A new elder learning the ropes about our accounting system and the management of our investments
“¢ A long-time elder leading a spirited discussion after Sunday worship on the topic of Christian conscience and torture
“¢ A retired nurse who directs our participation in NOAH, an ecumenical program that provides meals for the hungry every Sunday noon
“¢ An elder who is considering the possibility of giving up a part time job to lead an innovative youth ministry
“¢ A session member who served for three years on presbytery council, one whose granddaughter will be attending G.A. this summer as a Y.A.D.
“¢ The new members of session who listened intently at their first meeting as we discussed our policies about sexual misconduct.
This final point illustrates a new responsibility for elders (G-6.0304b), i.e. the obligation (along with pastors and deacons) to report to ecclesiastical and legal authorities knowledge they may have of sexual, physical, or mental abuse to any minor or adult in the course of church programs. Along with traditional expectations of service for church officers, the glaring problems of society (in and out of the church) redefine what we must do and not do, and it is important to remind ourselves what they are.
What do elders do? They carry out responsibilities and engage in opportunities that range from the mundane to the most profound, from local chores to those that impact God’s children all over the world. What has God called your elders to do and what portraits of service can you paint as you watch them at work in Christ’s name in your congregation?
Earl S. Johnson Jr. is the pastor of First Church, Johnstown, N.Y. and adjunct professor of religious studies at Siena College.
