Regarding Ruling Elders: Ruling Elder Preparation

January 2, 2017

Inside this Edition

2017 Mileage Rate

Notices for Submitting 2016 Contributions & Expenses

Presbytery Holiday Closings

"Now What?" A Special Event on Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Catonsville Concerts at 3 presents Elysian Camerata in Concert

Towson PC Seeks an Interim Director of Children's Ministry

Woods Mem'l PC Seeks a Director of Contemporary Music and a Director of Youth

Mt. Hebron seeks Music Director

Synod Men's Conference

Meetings

Committee and Commission meetings will be held at the Presbytery's office (unless noted otherwise.)

Committee on Ministry will meet Wednesday, Jan. 4 at 2pm

Gathering Team will meet a 1pm on Thursday, Jan. 5

Nominating Committee will meet Monday, Jan. 23. at 7:30pm

Steering Cabinet

at 1pm on Wednesday, Jan. 25

Committee on Ministry Leadership will meet at 10am on Wednesday, Feb. 1

Committee on Reconciliation will meet at 6:30pm on Wednesday, Jan. 25

In the Loop Ministry Group will next meet at 6pm on T uesday, Feb. 28 at Light Street PC

Uptown Metro Pastors' Lunch will be held at 12oon at One World Cafe on Thursday, Jan. 19

Interim Pastors' Lunch will be held Tuesday, Jan. 3 at 12noon

Cuba Encuentro Orientations will be held 10am on Saturday, Jan. 7 and 10am on Saturday, Jan. 28.

Cuba Partnership will meet 2pm Wednesday, Jan. 18 at Hunting Ridge PC

BDLC will meet at 7pm on Tuesday, Jan 10

Guatemala Partnership meets Tuesday, Jan. 17 at 8am Location TBA

Regarding Ruling Elders:

Ruling Elder Preparation

by Rhonda Myers, Pastor of the Chapel Lane Presbyterian Church in Midland, Michigan

The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) holds fast to a representative form of government where ruling elders and teaching elders are elected to ordered ministry and share in ecclesial authority as, together, we seek to discern and represent the will of Christ in and through faithful service. To this end, "congregations should elect persons of wisdom and maturity of faith, having demonstrated skills in leadership and being compassionate in spirit" (Book of Order, G-2.0301).

Once a new class of ruling elders is elected by a congregation, the session is called upon to prepare these


	Ruling Elders gathered last year for a lesson on sermon writing.

new leaders for service in the church. The responsibility for this time of study and preparation is sometimes delegated to a staff member, such as the pastor. But it is a responsibility of the session, acting as a whole, to prepare newly elected ruling elders for active participation in the leadership of the church. This training may include a review of:

Biblical highlights of strong, courageous leaders (consider: Moses, David, Esther, Paul, Peter, etc.);
Presbyterian polity and doctrine, including "The Marks of the Church" (F-1.0302), the "Notes of the Reformed Church" (F-1.0303), The Great Ends of the Church (F-1.0304), and the constitutional questions asked of ruling elders at their Installation (W-4.4003);
An inventory of spiritual gifts and talents;
The duties and procedures of ministry, both in general and within a given context;
The intersection of life and faith, as it pertains to church leadership.

After a time of study is completed, it is expected that the session will examine new leaders as to their readiness for service (G-2.0402). This examination is not intended to be harsh or punitive, but to serve instead as a mutual discussion about the church, its mission, and leadership. All this is done in a spirit of peace and for the sake of a nurtured and healthy community of faith. "Teaching elders shall be committed in all their work to equipping the people of God for their ministry and witness" (F-3.0202). This examination might include questions about the candidate's:

Personal faith and spiritual maturity;
Commitment to Christ and the Church;
Willingness to serve;
Openness to the guidance of the Holy Spirit in becoming "a community of faith, hope, love, and witness" (G-3.0201);
Desire to work for peace in the face of change, and to seek unity in the midst of diversity;
Knowledge of the Constitution of the church (doctrine, government, and discipline); and
Understanding of the duties incumbent upon a ruling elder.

Along with teaching elders, ruling elders are called to be stewards of the faith and champions of the gospel. Those who are called will lead by example. So it best be a good example!

The article was published via internet on Dec. 15, 2016 by the Presbyterian News Services and reprinted with permission to appear in this edition of Tidings.

taff Directory

Take Note/Act Now

Presbytery and Churchwide

2016 CONTRIBUTIONS & EXPENSES

According to IRS, standard mileage rate for business travel is 53.5 cents per mile. Please adjust your expense vouchers for 2017 accordingly.

All church contributions are due Wednesday, January 11, 2017 at the close of the business day. Please mark your contributions with the year to which you would like them applied. All expense requests for 2016 must be submitted to the Presbytery office no later than the close of business day on Tuesday, January 3, 2017. There will be no exceptions!

The Presbytery of Baltimore will close Dec. 23-26 in observance of Christmas and on Jan. 1 in observance of New Year's Day.

Click here for registration or bulletin

Churches

Catonsville Concerts at 3 presents Elysian Camerata in concert at 3pm on Sunday, Jan. 8, 2017. The Philadelphia-based Elysian Camerata has built its chamber music repertoire and reputation with works of all styles and periods. This free concert will be held at Catonsville Presbyterian Church . For details call 410.747.6180.

Towson Presbyterian Church seeks and Interim Director of Children's Ministry. To learn more about this exciting opportunity, click Towson.

Woods Memorial Presbyterian Church seeks a vibrant and dynamic Director of Contemporary Music to work with the church's praise band, which performs at the 11am Sunday service and participates in weekly practice sessions. For details, click Woods. The church also seeks a Director of Youth and Their Families. Click here for the job description.

Mt. Hebron Presbyterian Church has an opening for Music Director. This is a part-time position encompassing organ, piano and choir director skills. We are a small church with a traditional choir program, and are open to many other genres as well. Our congregation loves and appreciates good music. We have a gorgeous two-manual Allen organ and a fabulous Steinway M grand piano. Please direct inquiries to Rev. Adrian Pratt.

Other

Executive Director Position available (Half Time Position) The Central Maryland Ecumenical Council (CMEC), a community of Christian organizations that advocates for environmental, racial, social and economic justice, seeks a chief executive officer. Click here for details.

The Synod Men's Conference -- entitled "What Does the Lord Require" -- will be held July 14-16 at the Massasnetta Springs Conference Center in Harrisonburg, VA. To register on-line visit : www.midatlanticmen.org.