God calls Elders

1. Introduction

In this module, you will:

and, most importantly,

2. First thoughts

Before you start:

   Take a little time to reflect on your understanding of the role of an Elder 

Record your thoughts in a way suitable for you - this may be in a notebook or a reflective journal - whatever suits you best, but do record them now as you will look at these notes again later.

3. The call

You may have been approached by others asking you to consider becoming an Elder, or you might have just felt a growing sense that this is something you needed to explore further, but it’s important to recognise that it is God who calls people to be Elders.  Perhaps your first reaction was to think ‘Why me?’, but once we recognise God’s activity that completely changes our perspective.

Just as we read in the New Testament about Jesus calling the disciples to follow him, so that same call continues to this day.  And, again like the disciples, Elders are called to exercise leadership within the church, not in our own strength, but only with the strength and wisdom given by the Holy Spirit.

Jesus calls his first disciples:

Of course, the role of Elders has inevitably changed throughout history, perhaps especially since the time of the Reformation, while today it is also likely to vary from one local church to another.  For the moment, however, we simply want to acknowledge that while being called to be an Elder is an awesome challenge, it is also a tremendous privilege!

4. How do we hear the call?

5. Confirmation of the call

You may be wondering how you can know that the call is really meant for you. Every call is different as we heard in the video testimony of those who have heard the call of eldership. Consider whether you are being called too. You may like to talk to your Elder about their call and what you think God may be calling you to do. 

What happens next?

Whilst the detail of the process of calling elders varies from one church to another those who have heard the call to eldership will be asked to allow their names to go forward to a Church Meeting where members vote for those they wish to serve as elders in their congregation.

Hearing and accepting the call can be challenging as is recalled by these Elders:

Click this link for a transcript of the video

5.1. The election of Elders

This paper from Ministries Committee about the safer election of Elders was accepted by Assembly Executive in November 2020 and includes a number of details about the process of recruitment.

6. What is ordination?

The history of ordination goes back to Old Testament times and is seen as an outward sign of God’s call and a symbol of the special role that elders play in the life of the church. Elders are ordained into the United Reformed Church and Inducted into service into the life of their specific congregation. The ordination and induction recognises that the individual does nothing in their own right but only as appointed by the church and operating under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

    You can find out more about the history of ordination on the final page of this section and from the slideshow that follows the end of this module.

7. Ordination - where does it come from?

The Old Testament   

The New Testament

8. History and tradition of ordination

  The history of ordination – in some senses continuous from Paul’s day - is as old as the church itself. It has been the cause of division and controversy as, over the centuries, churches looked to ensure the validity of succession and the source of authority. The rite of ordination has been the means by which the church has provided itself with leaders authorised to teach, to nurture the faith, and to administer church discipline.

At the time of the Reformation Calvin suggested that there needed to be three different offices in the leading of the church, ministers of Word and Sacrament, government, and caring for the poor. He saw the area of government to be the responsibility of elders, elected by their congregations and working together with ministers of Word and Sacrament in a conciliar manner. Calvin rejected the previous threefold order of Bishop, priest, and deacon which had been the norm from the 3^rd century until the Reformation of the 16^th century. It is Calvin’s understanding which provided the basis for the understanding of ministry and church order adopted by all three constituent denominations which made up the United Reformed Church.

Looking back to Moses we find (Numbers 11:10-25) God’s instruction to Moses to gather 70 elders to assist him in his work. God came down and spoke to these men and ‘put some of the spirit that was on him (Moses) and put it on the 70 elders’. Looking at the passages from the epistles and, again, we find reference to leaders being set apart with prayer, fasting, and the laying on of hands imparting the Spirit enabling the work of leadership to be carried out in accordance with God’s will.

9. Ordination today

So, whilst the practice of ordination over the years has altered and adapted there is a common theme – ordination is an outward sign of God’s call and a symbol of the special role that elders play in the life of the church. Together with Induction, it recognises that the individual does nothing in their own right but only as appointed by the church and operating under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

10. Service of ordination and induction

Following election at a Church Meeting arrangements will be made to hold a service of Ordination and Induction. The service will usually include the sacrament of Holy Communion and will be presided over by the minister or Interim Moderator. Practices vary between churches and there may be non-serving Elders returning to service or Elders from other congregations who have moved to a new congregation, either of whom will, together with any newly ordained Elders, be inducted to service in their specific church. Ordination is a once-only event and Elders are Ordained into the United Reformed Church.

You can find a link to a downloadable version of the ordination and induction of Elders here

11. Review

   Remember those notes that you made at the beginning of this module? Now would be a good time to review them and ask yourself:

then have a look at the next page.

12. Taking things further

  How can I find out more?

Activities 

      1. Speak with other elders about their call and how it has been affirmed over the years.

12.1. General resources

Andrew Roberts – Holy Habits Resource – BRF

London Institute of Contemporary Christianity (LICC) website

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