The changing role of elders in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)

This paper examines the changing role of elders in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) This research attempts to locate the role of elder in the Judeo-Christian tradition and explore the changes down through the centuries. Fred J. Holper and Jack Rogers provide historical perspectives that highlight the emphasis on various kinds of governance based on events, cultural movements and decisions. The changes made in the Book of Order to the role of elder and session will be documented across 100 years in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and predecessor denominations. The majority of two chapters will be dedicated to the theological and social/behavioral conversation partners. Using the work of William J. Abraham a case is made for a systematic theology called "canonical theism." Presbyterians have adopted a set of doctrines. Presbyterians embrace a Book of Confessions that reflect a time and place when the people of faith dialogued with those doctrines. We must embrace the doctrines of our Reformed faith and engage in a dialogue with the tradition in this time and place. Edgar Schein describes the authority and power of leadership to actually manage culture change. A robust leadership core is able to articulate shared assumptions, manage boundaries, adjust to new information, and bring on new people whose gifts support and enhance the current business. What leaders focus upon in their daily work really matters. Therefore we will make the leap to embrace the idea that new elders will help effect healthy culture change. Training and ritual will focus on imprinting the basic assumptions. Rituals and cultural artifacts will be explored. A cohort group of four moderators of session participated in the project by reflecting upon the research. The project includes a summary of what these pastors are doing to train up new elders in the local congregation. The research attempts to provide a foundation to reflect on the current role of elders today in the 21st Century. The faculty advisor for this project was Dr. Darrell Guder.