Qualifications for Ruling Elders: An Historical Survey

Qualifications for Ruling Elders: An Historical Survey

Mark R. Brown

Extracted from Ordained Servant, vol. 10, no. 3 (July 2001), pp. 65-66

The gift of rule or government is the basis for the office of the ruling elder in the Reformed and Presbyterian Churches. Ruling eiders are also known as church governors or most commonly as simply elders. These ruling elders are distinguished in our Standards from the ministers of the word who are sometimes called teaching elders. A ruling elder or church governor is expected to be a godly, wise and respected man. These three essential qualifications for the office of ruling elder are found in all the classic definitions of the office. As you read the following historical selections please note how each of these three essential qualifications is set forth. While there is a richness and variety of terminology, it is clear that the qualifications may all be included under the three key headings of godly, wise and respected men. For memorizing the qualifications you may remember the alliterative outline of the elder as a respected religious ruler.

1. John Calvin was the pioneer in bringing lay leaders back into the position of sharing with the clergy in the discipline of the church. This quote of Calvin is from his Institutes of the Christian Religion. "By these governors (1 Cor. 12:28) I understand seniors (elders) selected from the people to unite with the bishops in pronouncing censures and exercising discipline. For this is the only meaning which can be given to the passage, 'He that ruleth with diligence' (Rom.12:8). From the beginning therefore, each church had its senate (Latin "senatum" — French, "conseil ou consistoire:" — council or consistory) composed of pious, grave, and venerable men in whom was lodged the power of correcting faults."

2. The Westminster Assembly's Form of Government summarized succinctly the O.T. roots and N.T. fruits of the office of elder in the Reformed Churches under the title of 'Other Church-Governors.' "As there were in the Jewish church elders of the people joined with the priests and Levites in the government of the church; so Christ, who hath instituted government, and governors ecclesiastical in the church, hath furnished some in his church, beside the ministers of the word, with gifts for government, and with commission to execute the same when called thereunto, who are to join with the minister in the government of the church. Which officers reformed churches commonly called Elders."

3. Samuel Miller was the leading exponent of Presbyterianism in the early 19th century from his position as a professor at Princeton Seminary. In his book The Ruling Elder he said. "The plan of discipline for which we plead, is founded, essentially, on the principle of REPRESENTATION, which, in a greater or less degree, pervades all human society." "Now it is evident that the method of conducting discipline at present under consideration, assigns to every Pastor a Council or Senate of pious, wise, prudent men, chosen from among the body of communicants."

4. James H. Thornwell was the leading Southern Presbyterian theologian before the Civil War. In Vol 4, pg. 142 of his Collected Writings he said: "Qualifications of the Ruling Elder are 1. True godliness; 2. Good sense; 3. Tenderness. These make an Elder indeed. We often mistake the qualities that are necessary to the efficiency of the office. It is not learning so much, or social position, or outward advantages that are required. Give us godly men, men understanding the Gospel, men courteous, tender and possessed of the confidence of the people, and in connection with the Ministers of the Word, they will accomplish an incalculably great and blessed work."

5. Thomas Smyth was the leading 19th exponent of classic Presbyterian polity. In his Ecclesiastical Catechism, Question 132 he asks: "What are the qualifications necessary for the office of ruling elder?" His answer: "The qualifications for the office of ruling elder are sincere piety, sound principles, a capacity for judging, prudence, zeal, and an unblemished reputation."

6. We conclude this historical survey with the statement found in the OPC Book of Church Order, The Form of Government. Chapter X, OF RULING ELDERS:

1. Christ who has instituted government in his church has furnished some men, beside the ministers of the Word, with gifts for government, and with commission to execute the same when called thereto. Such officers, chosen by the people from among their number, are to join with the ministers in the government of the church, and are properly called ruling elders.

2. Those who fill this office should be sound in the faith and of exemplary Christian life, men of wisdom and discretion, worthy of the esteem of the congregation as spiritual fathers.

3. Ruling elders, individually and jointly with the pastor in the session, are to lead the church in the service of Christ. They are to watch diligently over the people committed to their charge to prevent corruption of doctrine or morals. Evils which they cannot correct by private admonition they should bring to the notice of the session. They should visit the people, especially the sick, instruct the ignorant, comfort the mourning, and nourish and guard the children of the covenant. They should pray with and for the people. They should have particular concern for the doctrine and conduct of the minister of the Word and help him in his labors.

Rev. Mark Brown is pastor of the Westminster Orthodox Presbyterian Church of Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania. He was the editor of the recently published volume entitled Order in the Offices, containing a number of essays defining the roles of church officers.