OPC Ruling Elder Podcast

Listen to Stephen Tracey interview ruling elder John Muether on searching for a new pastor.


Committee on Home Missions, Guidelines for Congregations to Follow in Discovering, Evaluating and Calling a Pastor:

https://5mt.chmce.org/2011/10/02133343/Pastor-Search-Guidelines.pdf

Looking for a Pastor: https://chmce.org/looking-for-a-pastor/

The Committee on Ministerial Care, Pastoral Compensation Tool:

https://opccmc.org/pastoral-compensation-tool/

From Ordained Servant

 G. I. Williamson, “On Calling a Pastor.” 6:2 (Apr. 1997): 26-27.

https://opc.org/OS/pdf/OSV6N2.pdf#page=4

Jonathan T. Looney, “When It Is Time to Call a New Pastor” 28 (2019): 39-44.

https://opc.org/os.html?article_id=727

Jonathan T. Looney, Review of “When the Word Leads Your Pastoral Search,” by Chris Brauns

https://opc.org/os.html?article_id=728

On this episode of the Ruling Elder Podcast David Winslow, Jr. is interviewed by Danny Olinger, General Secretary of the Committee on Christian Education.   David has served as a ruling elder for more than 40 years.  He has the following to highlight: “When you are asked to serve and are elected and ordained you are really being asked to serve a particular congregation.  That should be the center of your focus.”

Resources:
G. I. Williamson, The Westminster Confession of Faith for Study Classes (Phillipsburg, NJ: P&R, 2003)

Called to Serve, ed. Michael Brown (Grandville, MI: Reformed Fellowship, 2006)

Ordained Servant

By David Winslow 

“Elder to Elder: Home Visitation and Family Devotions” 8:1 (Jan. 1999): 19-20. [reprinted 15 (2006): 60-61]. Available here:  https://opc.org/os.html?article_id=10

“Elder to Elder: A Sample Sessional Calling Record” 7:2 (Apr. 1998): 29-31. Available here: https://opc.org/OS/pdf/OSV7N2.pdf

“Elder to Elder: Start those Home Visits Now!” 7:1 (Jan. 1998): 20-21. [reprinted 15 (2006): 58-59] Available here: https://opc.org/os.html?article_id=9

Also on visitation: Derrick J. Vander Meulen, “Shepherding the Flock Through Family Visitation” in Called to Serve: Essays for Elders and Deacons, ed. Michael Brown, Reformed Fellowship, Inc. 2016, pages 213-227.

Other articles on Catechizing available in Ordained Servant.

“A Dozen Reasons Why Catechizing Is Important” (Thomas E. Tyson) 24 (2015): 48-53. 

“How Much Catechesis? The Case for a Maximalist Approach to Membership Classes” (Ken Golden) 21 (2012):41-45. 

“Pilgrimage in the Mode of Hope: Thoughts on the Usefulness of Catechism.” (Mark A. Garcia) 16 (2007): 79-84. 

“The Necessity of a Doctrinal Map” (Gregory Edward Reynolds) 16 (2007): 11-13.

“The Religion of the Catechism.” (D. G. Hart) 16 (2007): 73-78.

Article on Shepherding Pastors

“How Can a Session Shepherd Its Pastor?” (Lawrence Eyres) 8:2 (Mar. 1999): 29-31.

In this episode of the Ruling Elder Podcast Danny Olinger interviews ruling elders James Gidley, and Michael Shields on teaching adult Sunday school. Both men have many years of experience and offer wise and practical counsel. For example, Gidley says, “You don’t master Scripture: the Scriptures master you.”

Resources:

Calvin R. Malcor, “Christian Education in the Local Church” Available at https://opc.org/nh.html?article_id=274

Patricia E. Clawson, “Sunday School Roundup” Available at https://opc.org/nh.html?article_id=1035

“The privilege of a faithful elder…is to be ‘friends of the Bridegroom’, to be helps and witnesses to the betrothal of sinners to Jesus.” David Dickson, The Elder and His Work


Lawrence Eyres, “How Can a Session Shepherd Its Pastor?” 8:2 (Mar. 1999): 29-31. https://opc.org/OS/pdf/OSV8N2.pdf

Edwin J. Kreykes,“What Ruling Elders Can Do to Promote Better Preaching” 11:2 (Apr. 2002): 40-42. https://opc.org/OS/pdf/OSV11N2.pdf

Ryan M. McGraw,“How a Faithful Elder Can Make a Difference: Reflections on the Life and Death of a Friend” 29 (2020): 58-61. https://opc.org/os.html?article_id=856

Gregory Reynolds, “Democracy and the Denigration of Office” 23 (2014): 12-23. https://opc.org/os.html?article_id=398. https://opc.org/os.html?article_id=403

William Shishko, “Lessons from the Life of an Extraordinary Ruling Elder” 16 (2007): 44-46. https://opc.org/os.html?article_id=28

Hear about why the Orthodox Presbyterian Church's Committee on Christian Education decided to start a podcast for Ruling Elders.  We'll be hearing from Dr. A. Craig Troxel, President of the Committee on Christian Education.

Resources from Dr. Troxel

With All Your Heart: Orienting Your Mind, Desires, and Will Toward Christ (Crossway).

OPC Doctrinal Standards Monthly Reading Schedule  and Continuous Officer Training: https://nyneopc.org/2023/01/13/elder-training/

Resources in Ordained Servant

“Biblical Qualifications for Elders.” (Archibald Alexander Allison) 3:4 (Oct. 1994): 80-96.   https://opc.org/OS/pdf/OSV3N4.pdf

“The Duties of Elders.” (Daniel R. Hyde) 13:1 (Jan. 2004): 4-7. https://opc.org/OS/pdf/OSV13N1.pdf

“Elder Self-Evaluation” (Francis E. VanDelden) 22 (2013): 72-73. https://opc.org/os.html?article_id=362

“Eldership in the Balance.” (Charlie Meyers) 10:2 (Apr. 2001): 31-32.  https://opc.org/OS/pdf/OSV10N2.pdf

“How a Faithful Elder Can Make a Difference: Reflections on the Life and Death of a Friend.” (Ryan M. McGraw) 29 (2020): 58- 61. https://opc.org/os.html?article_id=856

“Lessons from the Life of an Extraordinary Ruling Elder.” (William Shishko) 16 (2007): 44-46. https://opc.org/os.html?article_id=28

“Ordained Servants: The Ruling Elder” (Gregory Edward Reynolds) 16 (2007): 9-11.  https://www.opc.org/OS/Final_OS_07_text.pdf

“A Training Program for Elders.” (Greg Reynolds & William Shishko) 10:3 (Jul. 2001): 55-58. https://opc.org/OS/pdf/OSV10N3.pdf

“Qualifications for Ruling Elders: An Historical Survey.” (Mark R. Brown) 10:3 (Jul. 2001): 65-66. https://opc.org/OS/pdf/OSV10N3.pdf