What is an EPC Ruling Elder?

The Evangelical Presbyterian Church (EPC) has four governing bodies, called courts, that exercise discipline and give moral order to the Church. They are the Board of Deacons, the Church Session, the Presbytery, and the General Assembly. Ruling Elders represent a particular congregation in the Church Session, the Presbytery, and General Assembly. The Ruling Elders generally spend the majority of time serving the Session of a particular church, which has jurisdiction over the church’s worship and ministry. The Session oversees the entire life of the congregation, including spiritual conduct, evangelism, oversight of members, and budgetary matters. The pastor serves as moderator for the Session, and it consists of two ruling elders (laity) for every Teaching Elder (ordained minister). Particular churches in the EPC are of, by, and for the people of God for the purpose of giving God glory. Qualifications for Ruling Elders are based on Scripture.

Ruling Elder Qualification: The Ruling Elder must be a mature Christian with experience in the congregation and who has faithfully served the church for a suitable period of time. The age and gender of the Ruling Elder are left to the discretion of the particular church. Most important are the person’s relationship with Jesus Christ, and his or her character and sensitivity to the needs of the congregation. In Scripture we read, "Now the overseer is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not given to drunkenness, not violent, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money” (1 Tim 3:2-3 TNIV). Such describes an enlivened faith expressed relationally in personal relationships and with members in the body of Christ. Ruling Elders must honor Christ in all that they do.

Ruling Elder represent the people in two ways:
1) The Ruling Elder is called to represent the people to Christ. The Ruling Elder is called to be an overseer of the flock in action, in word and in deed. James 5:14 says “Is any sick among you? Let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.” Thus, the church seeks prayer and the elders pray for the sick, afflicted, and troubled. Of course, God's power is not limited to the elders of the church, but it is the calling, duty, and privilege of the elders to pray for the body (the church) at all times. When a church member asks for prayer, God honors the person who asks and he blesses the elders who are faithful to his command. God has the power and desire to heal—spiritually, emotionally, and physically—and he does so as we pray, love, and obey him. When given the spiritual gift of leadership, the Ruling Elder’s desire “is to lead, (and to) do it diligently” (Rom 12:8b TNIV).

2) The Ruling Elder is called to represent the people in the church courts. The Ruling Elder spends the majority of time serving in the Session. Often decisions of the Session affect the day-to-day church life, but many decisions affect the church for many years to come. Decisions for the church are made by a majority vote and with a prayerful seeking of God’s wisdom, Who supplies perfect direction. The Ruling Elder has significant say in church matters, for with a two to one ratio of RE to TE, Ruling Elders have majority membership in the Session. Nothing can be done without the concurrence of the ruling elders. As a representative of the congregation, RE listen to the people and honor their desires to do God’s will in and for his church.

Furthermore, a Ruling Elder is God’s Steward in and outside of the church (Titus 1:7). He or she has a “good reputation with those outside the church, so that he will not fall into reproach and the snare of the devil” (1 Tim 3:7). Our strongest desire to honor God in all that we do and say and to serve his Church.

Mr. Sam Searcy
Ruling Elder
Cherry Hills Community Church
Highlands Ranch, Colorado
dcmi@ix.netcom.com