Jonathan Cruse talks about how Ruling Elders can foster and energize congregational singing. Further Reading Resources by Jonathan Jonathan Landry Cruse, What Happens When We Worship, Reformation Heritage Books, 2020. Jonathan Landry Cruse, “What Every Elder needs to Know About Congregational Singing” in Faithful and Fruitful, Essays for Elders and…

What can ruling elders do to promote better preaching? On this issue of the Ruling Elder podcast, John Currie, OPC pastor and Professor and Dean of Pastoral Theology, Westminster Theological Seminary, Philadelphia, discusses why this is so important and gives practical suggestions on how and when to do it, and, just as importantly, how not to do it…

David Watson is a ruling elder in Ballyclare Evangelical Presbyterian Church, in Co. Antrim, N. Ireland. The EPC, (Ireland), is a church with which the OPC has full ecclesiastical fellowship. Stephen Tracey grew up in that congregation and is delighted to talk to this faithful and beloved friend and mentor as he reflects on eighty years of life in …

Ryan McGraw talks about his new book, What Is Covenant Theology?: Tracing God's Promises through the Son, the Seed, and the Sacraments. Ryan is the Morton H. Smith Professor of Systematic Theology at Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary and serves as Teacher at Covenant Community OPC, Taylors SC. Are Israel and the Church Two Distinct Peopl…

Jason Poquette is a ruling elder in Immanuel Chapel (OPC), Upton, MA. He is a Pharmacist and works in Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, MA. In this podcast he discusses how ruling elders can help Christians understand the proper use of medication, its limits, the difficulties of end of life decisions, and the place of Christians in the modern…

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 brough…

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. Kloost…

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 Woodworki…

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 S…

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, availa…

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, Theol…

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…

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 Reading Chad Van …

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 b…

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, “Imp…

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 disabilitie…

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 re…

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 Committe…

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 parti…

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 …

“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 Work Lawrence 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 Bett…

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. Troxel With All Your Heart: Orienting Your Mind, Desires, and Will Toward Christ (Crossway). OPC Doctrinal S…