Understanding Leadership in the Presbyterian Church: Teaching Elders, Ruling Elders, and Term Eldership
Leadership in the Presbyterian Church is a distinctive system of shared governance between clergy and lay leaders. At its core are two types of elders: Teaching Elders and Ruling Elders, who serve together to guide the congregation both spiritually and practically. A further unique element in many Presbyterian churches is term eldership, which allows ruling elders to serve for a fixed period rather than for life. Let’s explore these roles and structures in more detail.
Teaching Elders: Spiritual Leaders and Preachers
Teaching elders are what most people think of as ordained ministers or pastors. Their primary responsibility is spiritual leadership within the congregation. They are called to preach the Word, administer sacraments, and provide pastoral care to the community.
In addition to their pastoral duties, teaching elders are part of the church’s governance, serving on both local and regional governing bodies such as the Session (the church’s local governing board), Presbytery, Synod, and General Assembly. Teaching elders often hold significant influence in guiding the congregation’s spiritual life and ensuring that the church stays aligned with its mission. Their role is critical in fostering growth in faith, education, and discipleship within the church community.
At Melville, our Teaching Elder is the Rev. Bethany McCaffrey
Ruling Elders: Lay Leaders and Decision-Makers
Ruling elders, on the other hand, are elected from the congregation to serve in a leadership capacity alongside the teaching elder. They focus more on the practical and administrative aspects of church life, making decisions about everything from finances and programs to outreach initiatives.
Though they do not preach or administer sacraments, ruling elders provide key oversight and governance, working in tandem with the teaching elder to ensure the church functions smoothly and effectively. Their work involves discerning God’s will for the church, helping shape its future direction, and supporting the overall mission of the congregation.
Ruling elders are also active in wider church structures, representing their local congregation at higher levels of governance, much like teaching elders. This collaboration between clergy and laity is fundamental to Presbyterian governance and is often referred to as the parity of ministers and elders. This means both teaching and ruling elders have equal voice and vote in church decisions.
Term Eldership: A Rotating Leadership Model
Many Presbyterian churches practice what is called term eldership, where ruling elders serve for a defined period—typically three to six years—rather than for life. This practice allows for regular turnover in leadership and encourages a broader section of the congregation to participate in governing the church.
Under term eldership, once an elder’s term is completed, they may take a break from active leadership or be re-elected by the congregation for another term. While the role is for a limited period, the ordination of a ruling elder is permanent. Even if they are not actively serving on the Session, their ordination continues, and they can be called upon for advice or further service in the future.
Why Term Eldership Matters
Term eldership offers several important benefits to the life of a church:
- Flexibility: It allows elders to step back from leadership after a period of service, preventing burnout.
- Increased Participation: It encourages more members of the congregation to serve in leadership roles, bringing fresh ideas and perspectives to the table.
- Healthy Turnover: A rotating leadership model helps ensure the church leadership remains dynamic and responsive to change.
In contrast, some churches practice lifelong eldership, where ruling elders continue to serve indefinitely unless they choose to resign.
The leadership structure of the Presbyterian Church is unique in its emphasis on shared authority between clergy and lay members. Teaching elders guide the church’s spiritual life while ruling elders focus on governance and administration. Together, they create a balanced and collaborative system of leadership. Through the practice of term eldership, the church ensures that leadership remains fresh and adaptable, while also providing flexibility for those serving as elders.
This thoughtful structure reflects the Presbyterian belief in collective decision-making and active involvement of all members in the life and mission of the church.
The current Session is comprised of: Phil Cook, Ishbel Dimson, Jason Donaghey, Jennifer Eisler, Susan Gloazzo, Naomi Goslinski, Stephan Goslinski, Lilian Laurence, Dawn Meszaros, Cassandra Rabey, Betty Sherk, Lindsey Simpson, and Mary-Beth Sowerby.
- updated September 2024