A Training Program for Elders

The following ing elder training program was developed by Pastor Greg Reynolds and subsequently slightly modified by Pastor William Shishko: It was produced in the early 1980's. It was used in the early years of Westchester OPC, now located in Mount Vernon, New York. It was also used for the training of two new elders in the OPC, Franklin Square. The advantage of the program is that it is a thorough introduction to both. our Church standards and the work of the eldership. It is ideal for men who are training their initial group of elders, particularly in a mission church or in the revitalization of an established church. It provides ample tune for a pastor to develop the major elements necessary for men to serve as faithful and useful ruling elders. For men in larger congregations, however, it may not be possible to carve out the time necessary to do justice to this program. In such situations it may, be better to produce an abridged program that still covers the areas outlined below. The bibliography is somewhat dated, but the works referred to are standard volumes with value that is hardly dated.

A. This program is being instituted to train men for the New Covenant office of ruling elder. (I Timothy 5:17)

B. The Program may be participated in only by those who are invited by the session. (The congregation may submit suggestions).

C. The program may lead to the presentation of a candidate(s) by the session to the congregation for election to the office of ruling elder. This depends upon the assessment of the session and the self-assessment of each participant.

D. The program requires diligent, thoughtful, and prayerful preparation. Each class hour should be prepared for by at least one hour of reading and reflection on the assigned material. (Each class will be between 1 and 2 hours long.)

E. Participation is essential for the edification of each member and to aid the session in its assessment of each man. Come prepared, therefore, both to ask and answer questions on the material.


ASSIGNMENT SCHEDULE (cf. Public Profession Class Bibliography, handout)

Week #1:	INTRODUCTION: SCRIPTURE
Read:	Williamson, "The Westminster Confession of Faith" Chapter 1 (pp. 1-22) (W.C.F. I) Three helpful supplements in order of their value are: a. Shaw, "An Exposition of the Confession of Faith" (C.F.P.); b. A. A. Hodge, "The Confession of Faith" (B.T.T.); c. Clark, "What Do Presbyterians Believe?" (P&R)

Week #2:	GOD, TRINITY, DECREE
Read:	Williamson, Chapters 2, 3 (pp. 23-40); W.C.F. 11

Week #3:	CREATION, PROVIDENCE, FALL
Read:	Williamson, Chapters 4-6 (pp. 41-61; W.C.F. IV-VI)

Week #4:	ACCOMPLISHMENT OF REDEMPTION: Covenant, Christ The Mediator
Read:	Williamson, Chapters 7,8 (pp. 62-84; W.C.F. VII, VIII)

Week #5:	APPLICATION OF REDEMPTION: Free Will, Effectual Calling, Faith & Repentance
Read:	Williamson, Chapters 9-11 (pp. 85-102; W.C.F. IX, X, XIV, XV).

Week #6:	APPLICATION OF REDEMPTION: Justification, Adoption, Sanctification, Good Works
Read:	Williamson, Chapters 12-15 (pp. 103-125; W.C.F. XI-XIII, XVI.

Week #7:	APPLICATION OF REDEMPTION: Perseverance, Assurance
Read:	Williamson, Chapters 16,17 (pp. 126-136; W.C.F. XVII, XVIII): Shishko mimeo on "Five Points of Calvinism."
Begin Reading:	Williamson, "Shorter Catechism" Vol. II(pp. 1-80) on the Ten Commandments: cf. "Larger Catechism" Ques. 91-149 (F.P.P. ed. pp. 178-238).

Week #8:	LAW OF GOD, CHRISTIAN LIBERTY
Read:	Williamson, Chapters 18,19 (pp. 137-157; W.C.F. XIX, XX)
Finish Reading:	Williamson, "Shorter Catechism" Vol. I1(pp.1-80)

Week #9:	WORSHIP, SABBATH, OATHS AND VOWS
Read:	Williamson, Chapters 20,21 (pp. 158-179; W.C.F. XXI, XXII) Berghoef and DeKoster, "Elder's Handbook" (Chapter 6 (pp. 81-90) "O.P.C. Directory for Public Worship" cf. W.C.F. (F.P.P.) "The Directory for the Public Worship of God" (pp. 369-394)

Week #10:	MARRIAGE AND DIVORCE, CHURCH, COMMUNION OF SAINTS
Read:	Williamson, Chapters 22-24 (pp. 180-199; W.C.F. XXIV-XXVI) Witherow, "The Apostolic Church" Reed, "Biblical Church Government" Owen, "Works..." Vol. XIII (pp. 173-181); Vol. XV (pp. 445-530); Vol. XVI (pp. 254-257) "Elder's Handbook" Chapter 8 (pp. 97-120). Attend first session meeting.

Week #11:	SACRAMENTS: BAPTISM AND LORD'S SUPPER
Read:	Williamson, Chapters 25-27 (pp. 200-230; W.C.F. XXVII-XXIX) "Elder's Handbook" Chapter 13 (pp. 165-174) (cf. Neilands, "Studies") Douma, "Infant Baptism & Conversion" Miller, "Baptism" Owen, "Infant Baptism & Dipping" Vol. XVI (pp. 258-269)

Week #12:	CHURCH DISCIPLINE: THE STATE, CHURCH GOVERNMENT
Read:	Williamson, Chapters 28-30 (pp. 231-251; W.C.F. XXX, XXIII, XXXI) Galbraith, "Why the O.P.C.?" "Elder's Handbook" Chapters 9,10 (pp. 121-140). Make first regular congregational visit "Elder's Handbook" Chapter 7 (pp. 91-96)
Begin Reading:	Williamson, "Understanding the Times" (pp. 1-62) (cf. Roger Wagner articles in "Journal of Pastoral Practice" Vol. VI (Nos. 1-4) Owen, "Works... " Vol. XVI (pp. 1-105; pp. 151-182; 210-239).

Week #13:	APPLICATION OF REDEMPTION: Glorification Eschatology, Evangelism and Apologetics
Read:	Williamson, Chapters 31, 32 (pp. 252-267: W.C.F. XXXII, XXXIII) "Elder's Handbook" Chapters 19, 20 (pp. 235-257) Attend second session meeting (or at #14)
Finish Reading:	Williamson, "Understanding the Times" (pp. 63-103) [Available on web at: http://home.rconnect.com /~giwopc/

Week #14:	QUALIFICATIONS FOR ELDERSHIP
Read:	"Elder's Handbook" Chapters 1-5, 11 (pp. 1-80;141-152) Eyres, "The Elders of the Church" Chapters V-VIII (pp. 25-46) C.H.M.C.E., "Practical Guidelines for Church Planting" (pp. 7-11) Miller, "The Ruling Elder" (pp.17-28) cf. Brown, I Peter 5:1-4 (cf. Scipioni, "Timothy, Titus and You" is helpful as a workbook on self-examination in the area of qualifications).

Week #15:	THE OFFICE OF RULE
Read:	Coppes, "Who Will Lead Us?" Chapter 9 (pp. 93-104) Eyres, "The Elders" Chapters I-IV (pp. 1-24) "Elder's Handbook" Chapters 16-18 (pp. 207-234) Owen, "Works..." Vol. XVI, Chapter VII (pp. 106-130) Miller, "The Ruling Elder" (pp. 1-16) cf. Dabney, Disc. Vol. 2 (pp. 119-157) cf. W.C.F. (F.P.P.) "The Form of Presbyterical Church Government" (pp. 396-416) "O.P.C. Form of Government" Chapters V, X (pp. 10, 11, 18)

Week #16:	THE DUTIES OF THE ELDER AS SHEPHERD
Read:	Baxter, "The Reformed Pastor" (Especially Chapter II (pp. 87-123) "Elder's Handbook" Chapters 12, 14,15 (pp. 153-164; 175-206) Owen, "Works" Vol. XVI Chapter VIII (pp. 130-143) Adams, "Shepherding God's Flock" Vol. I. (pp. 75-136); cf. McNair, "Challenge" (pp. 1-29) McNair, "Growing Living Church" (pp. 87-108) Owen, Vol. XIII (pp. 1-89) Make congregational visit and attend session meeting (here or at #17).

Week #17:	THE DUTIES OF THE ELDER AS LEADER
Read:	Eyres, "The Elders" Chapters XI, XII (pp. 59-69) Adams, "Shepherding God's Flock" Vol. III (pp. 1-151) McNair, "Challenge" (pp. 30-56) McNair, "Growing Living Church" Chapter 9 (pp. 120-128) McNair, "Living Church" (pp. 61-82) cf. O.P.C. F.O.G. Chapter XIII (pp. 23-26)

Week #18:	CONCLUSION, BETWEEN ELECTION AND ORDINATION
Read:	Eyres, "The Elders" Chapters IX, X (pp. 47-58) McNair, "Growing Living Church" (pp. 79-86) O.P.C. Standards By-laws of the Presbytery of N.Y. & New England By-laws of Congregation Meet with session.

A Training Program for Elders

by Greg Reynolds as modified by William Shishko