This article was a collaborative effort completed on behalf of the Special Committee on Ruling Elder Participation in Synod.

As a member of the Reformed Presbyterian Church, you have likely considered the question, what does it mean to be Reformed Presbyter­ian? Perhaps the simplest explanation is that we are Reformed and presbyterian, rather than a reformed version of presbyterianism. This means that we are grounded in the historic faith and traditions of the Great Reformation, beginning with the courage of Martin Luther, the writings of John Calvin, the preaching of men like John Knox, and the faith of many others of that age. It also means that we are presbyterian in our system of government—our ecclesiology.

To be presbyterian means that the church is, as Scripture directs, led and shepherded by presbuteros—the Greek word translated elder. While most denominations recognize the authority and governance of the church as directed from Christ through the presbyter, Scripture further guides this to be accomplished through a “plurality of elders” (Acts 14:23; Titus 1:5). This plurality of elders is a cornerstone of presbyterianism. It is not a rule by one, or even a rule by a few; rather, it is guidance through a group of elders (session) who gather to lead, shepherd, feed, protect, and care for the sheep. Additionally, the elders who oversee the local church sessions also meet to oversee the broader church regionally (presbytery) and nationally (Synod) as is exemplified in the Jerusalem Council in Acts 15.

It should be noted that “plurality” within the elders indicates a quantity (or number) and not a quality (or value). We use the terms teaching elder and ruling elder as common language to distinguish the primary role or responsibility of the elder, not the superiority. The office of elder is one of parity in authority, equality in office. Teaching and ruling elders serve different aspects of one ministry, undivided, for the peace and unity of the church.

Therefore, as Presbyterians, we affirm our commitment to Christ and His oversight of the church as we are led by and through our appointed elders. Elders within the Reformed Presbyterian Church seek to lead Christ’s body with all diligence, solemnity, joy, and love; laboring together locally, regionally, nationally, and even internationally, for the nurturing, nourishing, and flourishing of the church. Additionally, this requires the elders make a commitment to regularly attend the business of the local session, the presbytery, and the Synod.

For many years, it has been the concern of some in the denomination that the participation of ruling elders (RE) is relatively low at the higher courts of the church, especially at Synod. At the 2013 meeting of Synod, Moderator Bruce Backensto assigned a committee of ruling elders to study the matter.

The primary task of the committee was to “examine ruling elder attendance at Synod” and then to bring recommendations back to the Synod that might increase elder participation. While this committee believed that a similar challenge exists at the presbytery level, the focus of the committee was RE attendance and participation at the Synod level.

As a committee, we came face-to-face with many of the same factors involved in the very problem we were chartered to address. Annual seasons, work schedules, travel schedules, family commitments and other church obligations often can and do prevent REs from participating in Synod meetings.

In 2015, the committee designed two surveys and electronically distributed them in early 2016. The committee conducted a survey of the REs in the denomination, and a slightly different survey was sent to the teaching elders (TEs) in the denomination. A total of 365 surveys were released. The committee was pleased to receive 123 RE survey responses and 66 TE survey responses; the indicators in those responses are reflective of most of the elders in the denomination.

The committee desired to learn as much as possible from as many as were willing to interact. The most (quantitative) feedback the committee received related to practical concerns that hindered participation in the courts.

Ruling Elder Responses

• 68% have served as a delegate to Synod at least once

• 57% have served 10 or more years as an elder

• 63% have served as a delegate five or less times and 21% have served only one or two times

• 25% indicated that financial considerations were a factor that prevented their participation at Synod

• 49% believed that RE participation in Synod is “generally accepted,” while only 25% believed that RE participation in Synod is “encouraged”

• 38% believed that the organization and planning of Synod could be improved, but 62% believed it to be well organized

• 77% believed that Synod could be done more efficiently, while 17% believed it was done very efficiently

Teaching Elder Responses

• 38% are joined by REs from their congregation who participate in Synod every year, while 23% are joined by REs from their congregation most years

• 61% participate heavily in Synod, while only 4% seldom participate (note that there is more than one TE in some congregations, so these numbers don’t completely reflect the number of total congregations with RE delegates)

• 71% participate themselves in Synod every year and 20% participate most years indicating that over 90% of respondents are regular participants

• 68% indicate they believe RE participation in Synod to be “vital” while an additional 20% “welcome RE participation”

• 20% have served as an RE delegate at Synod—though it may not be clear whether they were counted as a TE or an RE delegate

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The more we researched, interviewed, and analyzed the challenge assigned to us, the more we realized the depth and complexity of this issue. It would have been nice to have a focused and singular cause at the root of low RE participation in Synod. However, that is not the case. If there is one common thread, it would be this:

The work of the elder is a labor of love. It is often filled with joy, but also with pain—both personal and relational. It requires sacrifice, patience, and prayer. It is exhilarating and exhausting. And it cannot be accomplished without the ever-present and ever-sought grace, mercy, and peace of Christ.

Although our task appears to focus on the negative aspects of service in the courts of the church, the challenges in attendance, and the practical obstacles and hardships toward service, it must also be stated that for generations many faithful ruling elders have prioritized, and continue to prioritize, frequent attendance and fruitful engagement in the higher courts of the church. In their example and perseverance in this office they exemplify the love of Christ and the true joy in serving His church. These men selflessly commit their time, money, and effort to this honorable calling. In humble submission to the Lord and continual fulfillment of their vows, they actively join the courts. In fact, it is many of these elders who have participated in the committee’s questionnaire and who have expressed hardship and concern.

The call and the work of elders is difficult, humbling, sacrificial, and demanding, but it is also a high calling established by God for the tending, washing, nurturing, feeding, and protecting of Christ’s bride. Elders seek your prayers; elders require your prayer. The Apostle Paul was vigilant and direct in urging the churches to pray for himself and the elders who served with him. Elders are your faithful undershepherds only when they are fixed on Christ and lifted by the Spirit in prayer. Following Paul’s example, we urge you to pray for your elders.

But as the prophet Jeremiah, while suffering and in the midst of his great lamentation, reminds us, “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness” (Lam. 3:22–23).

This particularly applies, as answered prayer, to the most recent meeting of Synod. The attendance by ruling elder delegates at the 2017 RPCNA Synod was the highest number ever recorded in our denomination’s history! There were 71 ruling elder delegates to Synod. The previous high was 55.

God is blessing His people, just as He promised to do. To Him be all glory and honor and praise!