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.

The OPC Form of Government says “[Ruling Elders] should have particular concern for the doctrine and conduct of the minister of the Word and help him in his labors.” (Fg. X.3)

Several resources are also available online at Ordained Servant.

• “What Ruling Elders Can Do to Promote Better Preaching.” (Edwin J. Kreykes) 11:2 (Apr. 2002): 40-42. https://opc.org/OS/pdf/OSV11N2.pdf
• “How to Assess a Sermon: A Checklist for Ruling Elders.” (William Shishko) 12:2 (Apr. 2003): 43-44. https://opc.org/OS/pdf/OSV12N2.pdf
• “What Is Faithful Preaching?” (Alan D. Strange) 27 (2018): 25-30. https://opc.org/os.html?article_id=686

Further Reading

• T. David Gordon, Why Johnny Can’t Preach: The Media Have Shaped the Messengers, (P&R Publishing; 2009)
• Christopher J Gordon, “How to Evaluate Your Pastor” in Faithful and Fruitful: Essays for Elders and Deacons, eds. William Boekestein and Steven Swets, (Reformed Fellowship Inc. 2019, pp. 181-193).
• Christopher Ash, Listen Up: A Practical Guide to Listening to Sermons, (The Good Book Company, 2009)
• John Angell James, An Earnest Ministry: The Want of the Times, (Banner of Truth Trust)
• Charles Spurgeon, “The Necessity of Ministerial Progress” in Lectures to My Students, (Banner of Truth Trust)

John’s recommneded reading for Ruling Elders

• John Calvin, Institutes of Christian Religion
• R. B. Kuiper, The Glorious Body of Christ: A Scriptural Appreciation of the One Holy Church, (Banner of Truth Trust)
• Harry Reeder, From Embers to a Flame: How God Can Revitalize Your Church, (P&R Publishing, 2008)

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 one congregation, and current issues in church life in N. Ireland.

In the podcast reference is made to a short book, A Good Work, Reflections on the Eldership in Everyday Life and Ministry. This book is not available in the USA.

David's three recommended books for ruling elders are:
The Westminster Confession of Faith.
Louis Berkhof, Systematic Theology.
J. I. Packer, A Quest for Godliness, The Puritan Vision of the Christian Life.

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 Peoples of God?

Ryan’s recommended reading

1. John Owen, Communion with God. The full title is “Of Communion with God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, Each Person Distinctly, In Love, Grace, and Consolation; or The Saints’ Fellowship with the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost Unfolded.”
2. Augustine, On Christian Doctrine.
3. Herman Witsius, The Economy of the Covenants Between God and Man: Comprehending a Complete Body of Divinity.

For more on Covenant Theology in Ordained Servant see the following,

1. Gregory Edward Reynolds, “Clarity on the Covenants." Ordained Servant, 15 (2006): 22-27. Available here.
2. Richard B. Gaffin, Jr., “Covenant and Salvation.” Ordained Servant, 18 (2009): 145-49. Available here.