Resources For Ruling Elders

The faithful service of the ruling elder is most valuable. Paul says, “Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching” (1 Tim 5:17). One of the most important things Paul did was to appoint elders “in every church” (Acts 14:23; Titus 1:5).  There were elders at the Jerusalem synod (Acts 15:2). The synodical letter went out in the name of the Apostles and the elders (Acts 15:23). It was the council of elders, who ordained the ministers (1 Tim 4:14). Those in the congregation who are ill are to call the elders for prayer (James 5:14). Such is the high calling of the ruling elder that God’s Word sets high standards for those elected and ordained (Titus 1:6–9).

Yet, for a variety of reasons, we do not always provide the resources to our ruling elders that me might. With that in mind, we offer this resource page as a help to ruling elders, sessions, and consistories looking for help.

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Published Books and Essays

Berghoef, Gerard, and Lester DeKoster. The Elders Handbook, a Practical Guide for Church Leaders. Christian’s Library Press, 1979.

Bergsma, Derke. “Prophets, Priests, and Kings: Biblical Offices” in John Armstrong, ed. The Compromised Church. Crossway, 1998.

Boekestein, William, and Steven Swets. Faithful and Fruitful: Essays for Elders and Deacons. Reformed Fellowship, Inc., 2019.

Boer, Jeffrey K. “Calvin’s View of the Teaching Elder-Ruling Elder Distinction” in Mark R. Brown,, ed. Order in the Offices: Essays Defining the Roles of Church Officers. Second Edition. Reformed Forum, 2024.

Capill, Murray A. The Elder-Led Church: How an Eldership Team Shepherds a Healthy Flock. P&R Publishing, 2024.

Clowney, Edmund P. “A Brief for Church Governors,” in Mark R. Brown,, ed. Order in the Offices: Essays Defining the Roles of Church Officers. Second Edition. Reformed Forum, 2024.

Dickson, David, George Kennedy McFarland, and Philip Graham Ryken. The Elder and His Work. P & R Pub., 2004.

Geisman, Matt. “It’s Easier Together: Christian Teamwork through the Eyes of Ruling Elders in Mid-Sized Re-Formed Churches.” DMin Diss. Covenant Theological Seminary, Spring 2020.

Heyns, W. Handbook for Elders and Deacons: The Nature and the Duties of the Offices according to the Principles of Reformed Church Polity. Eerdmans, 1928.

Hodge, Charles. “Warrant and Theory of Ruling Eldership” in Mark R. Brown, ed. Order in the Offices: Essays Defining the Roles of Church Officers. Second Edition. Reformed Forum, 2024.

Hyde, Daniel R., Nelson D. Kloosterman, Michael S. Horton, Ralph Pontier, Randal S. Lankheet, Cornelis P. Venema, Michael G. Brown, et al. Called to Serve: Essays for Elders and Deacons. Reformed Fellowship, 2007.

Kuiper, R. B., The Glorious Body of Christ: A Scriptural Appreciation of the One Holy Church. Banner of Truth Trust, 1967.

Miller, Samuel. An Essay on the Warrant, Nature, and Duties of the Office of the Ruling Elder in the Presbyterian Church. 3d ed. Presbyterian Board of Publication, 1840.

Miller, Samuel. “The Ruling Elder” in David W. Hall and Joseph H. Hall. Paradigms in Polity. Eerdmans, 1994.

Murray, Iain. “Ruling Elders: A Sketch of a Controversy” in Mark R. Brown, ed. Order in the Offices: Essays Defining the Roles of Church Officers. Second Edition. Reformed Forum, 2024.

Scipione, George C. Timothy, Titus, and You: A Workbook for Church Leaders. Pilgrim Pub. Co., 1975.

Shaw, John S. “The Ruling Elder in Church Planting” in John R. Muether and Danny E. Olinger. Confident of Better Things: Essays Commemorating Seventy-Five Years of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church. Committee for the Historian of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church, 2011.

Smith, Gary L. “Shepherding the Flock: A Ruling elder’s Perspective” in Timothy Z. Witmer, ed. The Shepherd’s Toolbox: Advancing Your Church’s Shepherding Ministry. P&R Publishing, 2023.

Sittema, John R. With a Shepherd’s Heart: Reclaiming the Pastoral Office of Elder. Reformed Fellowship, 1996.

Strange, Alan D. “Do the Minister and the Elder Hold the Same Office?” in Mark R. Brown, ed. Order in the Offices: Essays Defining the Roles of Church Officers. Second Edition. Reformed Forum, 2024.

Other Essays and Podcasts

RESOURCES

Heidelberg Reformation Association
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