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.

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 healthcare system.

Jason's three book recommendations;
John Bunyan, The Pilgrim's Progress.
John Calvin, A Little Book on the Christian Life.
R. C. Sproul, Surprised by Suffering: The Role of Pain and Death in the Christian Life.
(And anything else by R. C. Sproul!)

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 brought new life out of the horror of a terrorist attack.

As an elder he now asks people in their suffering to think—what glory will God have from this? (Sanjay is a ruling elder in Theophilus Orthodox Presbyterian Church, a multi-generational and multi-ethnic church, in Anaheim CA.) https://www.theophilusopc.org

Sanjay’s three recommended books;
Prayer by O. Hallesby, (Augsburg Books, Updated Edition,1994)
Making Sense of God: Finding God in the Modern World by Timothy Keller (Penguin Books, 2018)
J-Curve: Dying and Rising with Jesus in Everyday Life by Paul Miller (Crossway, 2019)

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. Kloosterman, “A Biblical Case for Natural Law: A Response Essay.” OS 16 (2007): 101-7. Available here.

David VanDrunen, “VanDrunen in the Hands of an Anxious Kloosterman: A Response to a Review.” OS 16 (2007): 107-13. Available here.

Gregory Edward Reynolds “Education, Natural Law, and the Two Kingdoms” OS 21 (2012): 14-17. Available here.

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 Woodworking, Popular Woodworking, and American Period Furniture. Joshua is author of four books, including Joined: A Bench Guide to Furniture Joinery (Mortise & Tenon, 2020), and Worked: A Bench Guide to Hand-Tool Efficiency (Mortise & Tenon, 2022). He also serves as Associate Fellow in Mechanical Arts at Greystone Theological Institute. Joshua, his wife, and their three sons are currently restoring an 1821 cape on the coast of Maine.

Further Reading
On Work
Leland Ryken, Work and Leisure in Christian Perspective
Timothy Keller, Every Good Endeavor: Connecting Your Work to God’s Work
Daniel Doriani, Work: Its Purpose, Dignity, and Transformation

On Typology
G. K. Beale, Handbook on the New Testament Use of the Old Testament
Sidney Greidanus, Preaching Christ from the Old Testament: A Contemporary Hermeneutical Method
Alistair Roberts & Andrew Wilson, Echoes of Exodus: Tracing Themes of Redemption through Scripture
(Stephen Tracey also recommends Patrick Fairbairn, The Typology of Scripture )

On Flow in Thought and Work
Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience

And maybe take up a craft...

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 Serve is available from Greg upon request. reynolds.1@opc.org

Books on Conflict resolution in the church recommended by Greg:
Marshall Shelley, Ministering to Problem People in Your Church: What to Do With Well-Intentioned Dragons. Bethany House Publishers. 1985, 2013.
Ken Sande, The Peacemaker: A Biblical Guide to Resolving Personal Conflict, Baker Books, 3rd edition, 2004.
Jay Adams, Handbook of Church Discipline: A Right and Privilege of Every Church Member, Zondervan, 1896.

Greg’s three (he gave 5) books he believes elders must read:
Samuel Miller, The Ruling Elder: The Warrant, Nature, and Duties of the Office in the Presbyterian Church.
David Dickson, The Elder and his Work.
Lawrence R. Eyres, The Elders of the Church.
Gerard Berghoef and Lester De Koster, The Elders Handbook - A Practical Guide for Church Leaders.
The Westminster Confession of Faith and Catechisms.