Longer terms, rigorous training are proposed for ruling elders
By John H. Adams, The Layman Online, September 29, 1999
DALLAS – Six-year terms and more rigorous training for ruling elders are two possible ways to overcome discontinuity and theological shortcomings in the lay leadership of Presbyterian congregations, said participants in a workshop titled “Revalidating Elders.”
The workshop, a part of the Presbyterian Coalition’s “Gathering IV,” was led by the Rev. Harry Hassel, retired associate pastor of Highland Park Presbyterian Church in Dallas and a long-time activist in Presbyterian renewal efforts.
Discontinuity in leadership
He said discontinuity in leadership has resulted from a rapid turnover in elders, who now are elected to three-year terms, with an option of a second consecutive three-year term if nominated and elected. After six consecutive years of service, an elder must take a year off the session before being eligible to run for another term. With recurring frequency, the norm now is for a single three-year term and a continuing rapid turnover in local church leadership.
Hassel contrasted that situation with the tradition of “elders for life” that was the practice of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.) before the Southern denomination reunited with the United Presbyterian Church (USA) in 1983 to form the Presbyterian Church (USA).
When elders served for life, Hassel said, they tended to be stewards of the polity and faith and to be more involved in the work of their congregations, presbyteries and synods – to the extent that the ministers “came along and were the new kids on the block.”
While current polity allows an elder to serve six consecutive years, many people accept only three-year terms and newer people, often from non-Presbyterian churches, assume leadership – people, Hassel said, who do not know what makes a Presbyterian.”
That situation has helped give rise to a de-emphasis of Presbyterian confessions, doctrine, polity and other distinctions, he said.
Overture would lengthen terms
Hassel is seeking support for an overture that would increase maximum terms of elders to six years, with a required year off the session before being eligible for nomination to a subsequent term.
But longer terms alone will not revalidate the lay leadership in congegations, he said. He urged ministers and sessions, which must approve the ordination of newly elected elders, to require rigorous training and testing of candidates.
He cited the training required by Highland Park Presbyterian Church, which includes 12 hours of classroom work focusing on the Book of Order and the Book of Confessions, a two-hour oral examination and an open-book written test. Also, he said, elders are questioned about their personal relationship with Jesus Christ, their character, their aptness to teach, and their faith and dedication. That process, Hassel said, helps winnow out those who are not certain of their call to or preparation for leadership.