OPC Ruling Elder Podcast

On Sept. 5, 1986, Sanjay was onboard Pan Am Flight 73. It was hijacked by the PLO in Karachi, Pakistan. Sanjay survived, but was seriously injured, including subsequently undergoing the amputation of a leg. His cousin was the first person killed by the hijackers. 22 people died. Listen to his account of how God worked all things for good and brought new life out of the horror of a terrorist attack. As an elder he now asks people in their suffering to think—what glory will God have from this? ...

Gregory Reynolds interviews David VanDrunen about his latest book, Natural Law: A Short Companion, (B&H Academic, 2023, 160 pages).For more on Natural Law in Ordained Servant see the following;David VanDrunen, “Natural Law in Reformed Theology: Historical Reflections and Biblical Suggestions.” OS 21 (2012): 32-38. Available here. Nelson D. Kloosterman, “A Biblical Case for Natural Law: A Response Essay.” OS 16 (2007): 101-7. Available here.David VanDrunen, “VanDrunen in the Hands of an An...

Stephen Tracey talks with Joshua Klein about work and flourishing, being faithful and loving in response to God.Joshua A. Klein is a ruling elder in Pilgrim OPC, Bangor ME. He is editor-in-chief of Mortise & Tenon Magazine. He has presented about historic craftsmanship at museums around the United States and has written articles for Fine Woodworking, Popular Woodworking, and American Period Furniture. Joshua is author of four books, including Joined: A Bench Guide to Furniture Joine...

Greg Reynolds talks to Stephen Tracey about how ruling elders respond to conflict in the church, whether it is among members, among the session, or with the pastor.More Resources“A Training Program for Elders.” (Greg Reynolds & William Shishko) 10:3 (Jul. 2001): 55-58. Available here. The updated version of this training program titled Let Them Serve is available from Greg upon request. reynolds.1@opc.orgBooks on Conflict resolution in the church recommended by Greg:Marshall Sh...

Stephen Tracey talks to Thomas Crumplar about the issue of domestic abuse. Tom is a ruling elder at Emmanuel OPC in Wilmington, Delaware, and co-founder of the law firm Jacobs and Crumplar, P. A.The New Horizons edition for February 1997 featured several articles on Domestic violence. It is available here. Also the edition for January 2021, available here.Suggested further reading:Jeremy Pierre & Greg Wilson, When Home Hurts: A Guide for Responding Wisely to Domestic Abuse in Your C...

Stephen Tracey interviews his good friends Doug and Liz Babbitt on how elders can welcome, include, and connect with people affected by autism.We must remember that "the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable" (1 Corinthians 12:22 ESV)Further reading on Autism and the Church Grant Macaskill, Autism and the Church: Bible, Theology, and Community (Waco, TX: Baylor University Press, 2019) See Harrison Perkins’ online review of Macaskill’s book here Joni and...

Rev. Gregory Reynolds speaks with ruling elder Jim Gidley about his becoming a ruling elder and how he has supported the work of both the local church and the OPC. As an elder “you are shepherding people to follow their Savior in the day to day rough and tumble of life. You’re not shepherding them to be theological experts at detecting the heresies around them. You’re shepherding people to bear the cross, to keep the commandments and basically to be Christians”Pray more. “The time you spend s...

The ruling elder podcast talks with Chad Van Dixhoorn about the importance of the Westminster Confession of Faith and Catechisms to the work of the ruling elder.Says Chad, "It is a wonderful gift to be in a presbyterian church that does not try to work around the Standards but deploys them for all their various purposes." Further ReadingChad Van Dixhoorn, Confessing the Fatih: A Reader’s Guide to the Westminster Confession of Faith (The Banner of Truth Trust)ESV Bible with Creeds and Con...

David Nakhla and Jeffrey Roach talk to Stephen Tracey about how ruling elders can help and encourage deacons. [David is Administrator for the OPC Committee on Diaconal Ministries, and a ruling elder in Calvary OPC, Glenside, PA. Jeffrey is a deacon in Resurrection Presbyterian Church (OPC), Matthews, NC.]Topics covered include good communication between elders and deacons, joint meetings, discretion, visitation, and the dangers of being overworked.The article "A Holy Kind of Chaos" by R...

Stephen Tracey talks to Thomas Crumplar about the issue of child sexual abuse. Tom is a ruling elder at Emmanuel OPC in Wilmington, Delaware, and co-founder of the law firm Jacobs and Crumplar, P. A.Resources: Christopher W. Shishko, “Volunteers and Your Church: Avoiding Legal Pitfalls” Ordained Servant, 23 (2014): 66-68. Jonathan W. Shishko, “Improving Upon the Status Quo: Child Safety” Ordained Servant, 23 (2014): 69-71.Please visit the Ordained Servant Archive for the October 2002 issue.“E...

Stephen Tracey interviews his good friends Doug and Liz Babbitt on how elders can welcome, include, and connect with people affected by disabilities. We must remember that "the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable" (1 Corinthians 12:22 ESV)"People with disabilities need the church, and the church needs people with disabilities."To begin with, focus on one person or family at a time. We don't need to be experts in any area of disability, simply learning and practici...

Stephen Tracey talks with the Rev. Gordon Cook, (Pastor of Living Hope, OPC, Brunswick, ME, and recently retired as a hospital chaplain) and Dr. Logan Murray, (Pediatric Hospitalist, and Ruling Elder in Living Hope OPC, Brunswick, ME). This episode is full of practical insights and wisdom on visiting people in hospital, or in hospice care. Jesus reminds us that visiting the sick is one of the marks of his sheep, “I was sick and you visited me…Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of...

Listen to Stephen Tracey interview ruling elder John Muether on searching for a new pastor.Committee on Home Missions, Guidelines for Congregations to Follow in Discovering, Evaluating and Calling a Pastor:https://5mt.chmce.org/2011/10/02133343/Pastor-Search-Guidelines.pdf Looking for a Pastor: https://chmce.org/looking-for-a-pastor/ The Committee on Ministerial Care, Pastoral Compensation Tool:https://opccmc.org/pastoral-compensation-tool/ From Ordained Servant G. I...

On this episode of the Ruling Elder Podcast David Winslow, Jr. is interviewed by Danny Olinger, General Secretary of the Committee on Christian Education. David has served as a ruling elder for more than 40 years. He has the following to highlight: “When you are asked to serve and are elected and ordained you are really being asked to serve a particular congregation. That should be the center of your focus.”Resources:G. I. Williamson, The Westminster Confession of Faith for...

In this episode of the Ruling Elder Podcast Danny Olinger interviews ruling elders James Gidley, and Michael Shields on teaching adult Sunday school. Both men have many years of experience and offer wise and practical counsel. For example, Gidley says, “You don’t master Scripture: the Scriptures master you.”Resources:Calvin R. Malcor, “Christian Education in the Local Church” Available at https://opc.org/nh.html?article_id=274Patricia E. Clawson, “Sunday School Roundup” Available at https://o...

“The privilege of a faithful elder…is to be ‘friends of the Bridegroom’, to be helps and witnesses to the betrothal of sinners to Jesus.” David Dickson, The Elder and His WorkLawrence Eyres, “How Can a Session Shepherd Its Pastor?” 8:2 (Mar. 1999): 29-31. https://opc.org/OS/pdf/OSV8N2.pdf Edwin J. Kreykes,“What Ruling Elders Can Do to Promote Better Preaching” 11:2 (Apr. 2002): 40-42. https://opc.org/OS/pdf/OSV11N2.pdf Ryan M. McGraw,“How a Faithful Elder Can Make a Difference: Refl...

Hear about why the Orthodox Presbyterian Church's Committee on Christian Education decided to start a podcast for Ruling Elders. We'll be hearing from Dr. A. Craig Troxel, President of the Committee on Christian Education.Resources from Dr. TroxelWith All Your Heart: Orienting Your Mind, Desires, and Will Toward Christ (Crossway).OPC Doctrinal Standards Monthly Reading Schedule and Continuous Officer Training: https://nyneopc.org/2023/01/13/elder-training/Resources in Ordained Ser...