WHAT REQUIREMENTS ARE
THERE FOR SERVING ON THE SESSION?
Our Book of Order (G-2.0104 and 2.0301) says that the elders
must:
V be
persons of strong faith
V show
a dedicated discipleship
V have
the love Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord
V live
a manner of life that demonstrates the Christian Gospel to all
V be
persons of wisdom
V have
maturity of faith,
V have
demonstrated skills in leadership
V be
compassionate in spirit
WHAT DUTIES OF THE
ELDERS?
Our Book of Order (G-02.0301, G-02.0504) says that the
duties of the elders are to:
V
discern and measure the congregation’s
fidelity to the Word of God
V
to strengthen and nurture the
congregation’s faith and life
V
exercise leadership, government,
spiritual discernment, and discipline and have responsibilities for the life of
a congregation
V
take responsibility for ecumenical
relationships
V strengthen
and nurture the faith and life of the congregation
V encourage
the people in worship and service of God
V equip
and renew the people for their tasks within the Church
V equip
and renew the people for their mission in the world
V visit
and comfort and care for the people
V give
specific attention to the poor, the sick, the lonely, and those who are
oppressed
V inform
the pastor of those people needing visits, attention, or care
V inform
the pastor of those structures in the church needing attention
V cultivate
an ability to teach the Bible
The Book of Order indicates that an elder may also serve the
Session by
V serving
as a Clerk of Session
V serving
as a voting Commissioner to the Presbytery or other higher councils
V assisting
in serving Communion, in visiting, or in any manner of leadership the Session
may request.
An elder is ordained for life, but installed onto the Session for a
specific term of up to three years. An
elder who is no longer serving on the Session is still an elder, and is
properly referred to as “an elder in reserve.”
Whether on the Session or not, every elder remains responsible to
serving as a spiritual leader of the church.
