Archibald Allison introduces the Biblical qualifications of ruling elders. Archibald is pastor of Emmaus OPC in Fort Collins, CO.

His 1994 article in Ordained Servant (Vol 3, No.4. pages 80-96) is available here.
That article, combined with a subsequent article on qualifications for deacons, is also available as a free CCE ebook here.

Over the next several issues of the ruling elder podcast several men will outline the Biblical qualifications for elders.

Sinclair Ferguson’s comments about the Fruit of the Spirit in proper proportion can be found on Things Unseen here.

Archibald’s Book Recommendations

• Following God Fully: An Introduction to the Puritans, by Joel Beeke and Michael Reeves, Reformation Heritage Books, 2022.
• Devoted to God's Church: Core Values for Christian Fellowship by Sinclair Ferguson, Banner of Truth, 2020.
• The Whole Christ: Legalism, Antinomianism, and Gospel Assurance―Why the Marrow Controversy Still Matters, by Sinclair Ferguson, Crossway, 2016.

Photo by Alberto Bigoni on Unsplash

The Rev. Everett Henes, Moderator of this year's General Assembly, reflects on moderating the Assembly and the place and importance of ruling elders participating in the higher assemblies.

GA Reports on various subjects can be found here.

This year's GA had 87 ministers and 52 ruling elders, for a total of 139 voting members.

Everett’s Recommended Books

• Carl Trueman, The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self: Cultural Amnesia, Expressive Individualism, and the Road to Sexual Revolution, Crossway, 2020.
• J C Ryle, Thoughts for Young Men, Banner of Truth.
• Bryan Chapell, The Hardest Sermons You'll Ever Have to Preach: Help from Trusted Preachers for Tragic Times, Zondervan, 2011.

Ruling Elder Keith LeMahieu talks about term eldership. Keith is a ruling elder in Bethel OPC, Oostburg, WI. He serves on the GA Committee on Home Missions and Church Extension, and the Committee on Coordination. Many of the listeners will know him from his work on planned giving.

The Form of Government of the OPC puts the matter of elder's tenure into the hands of local congregations. Fg. XXV. 2. “Each congregation shall determine, by vote of communicant members in good and regular standing, to choose elders or deacons for either lifetime service or limited terms of service on the session or board of deacons.”

Further Reading

Ordained Servant

• “Some Thoughts on Term Eldership.” (John R. Sittema) 13:1 (Jan. 2004): 14-16. Available here.

The Presbyterian Guardian

• John Murray, The Ordination of Elders: Some Arguments against Term Eldership. The Presbyterian Guardian, Vol 24. No. 2, (Feb. 15, 1955), pp. 23-25. Available here. An expanded edition of this article was published in the Collected Writings of John Murray, Vol. 2, pp. 351-356
• Ned B Stonehouse, May We Prohibit Term Eldership? The Presbyterian Guardian, Vol. 24, No. 5, (May 16, 1955), pp. 75-77. Available here.

Keith’s Recommended Books

• Martin Bucer, Concerning the True Care of Souls (Banner of Truth).
• David Dickson, The Elder and His Work (P&R Publishing).
• William Boekestein and Steven Swets (Editors) Faithful and Fruitful: Essays for Elders and Deacons (Reformed Fellowship).