OPC Ruling Elder Podcast

Rev. Craig Troxel continues the Podcast discussion of qualifications for elders, emphasizing the need for godly character. Ruling elders are to be sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, and hospitable. 
On today's episode we also discuss a recent article by Murray J. Smith
“An Overseer must be…Able to Teach” (1 Tim 3:2): ΔΙΔΑΚΤΙΚΟΣ as the Center of the Character Chiasm in 1 Timothy 3:1–7” JETS 69.2 (2026): 301–320
An online pdf is available here.
Lawerence Eyres says, “hospitality does not mean just an open door to one’s home. The hospitable man is one whose heart is first open to the lonely, the rejected, the alien among men of all kinds, and in all conditions.” (The Elders of the Church, p. 30)
Craig's Three Book Recommendations:
The Pastor: His Call, Character, and Work. Written by faculty and friends of Old Princeton, with an introduction by Sinclair B. Ferguson. Banner of Truth, 2021. (The chapters in this book have been selected from the two-volume Princeton and the Work of the Christian Ministry, also published by the Banner of Truth.)
Charles Bridges, The Christian Ministry, With an Inquiry into the Causes of its Inefficiency, Banner of Truth.
Samuel Miller, The Ruling Elder: The Warrant, Nature, and Duties of the Office in the Presbyterian Church. Available in various formats.
Photo by Sam Carter on Unsplash

Archibald Allison introduces the Biblical qualifications of ruling elders. Archibald is pastor of Emmaus OPC in Fort Collins, CO.

His 1994 article in Ordained Servant (Vol 3, No.4. pages 80-96) is available here.
That article, combined with a subsequent article on qualifications for deacons, is also available as a free CCE ebook here.

Over the next several issues of the ruling elder podcast several men will outline the Biblical qualifications for elders.

Sinclair Ferguson’s comments about the Fruit of the Spirit in proper proportion can be found on Things Unseen here.

Archibald’s Book Recommendations
Following God Fully: An Introduction to the Puritans, by Joel Beeke and Michael Reeves, Reformation Heritage Books, 2022.
Devoted to God's Church: Core Values for Christian Fellowship by Sinclair Ferguson, Banner of Truth, 2020.
The Whole Christ: Legalism, Antinomianism, and Gospel Assurance―Why the Marrow Controversy Still Matters, by Sinclair Ferguson, Crossway, 2016.

Photo by Alberto Bigoni on Unsplash

The Rev. Everett Henes, Moderator of this year's General Assembly, reflects on moderating the Assembly and the place and importance of ruling elders participating in the higher assemblies.
GA Reports on various subjects can be found here.
This year's GA had 87 ministers and 52 ruling elders, for a total of 139 voting members.

Everett’s Recommended Books
Carl Trueman, The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self: Cultural Amnesia, Expressive Individualism, and the Road to Sexual Revolution, Crossway, 2020.
J C Ryle, Thoughts for Young Men, Banner of Truth.
Bryan Chapell, The Hardest Sermons You'll Ever Have to Preach: Help from Trusted Preachers for Tragic Times, Zondervan, 2011.

Ruling Elder Keith LeMahieu talks about term eldership. Keith is a ruling elder in Bethel OPC, Oostburg, WI. He serves on the GA Committee on Home Missions and Church Extension, and the Committee on Coordination. Many of the listeners will know him from his work on planned giving.
The Form of Government of the OPC puts the matter of elder's tenure into the hands of local congregations.  Fg. XXV. 2. “Each congregation shall determine, by vote of communicant members in good and regular standing, to choose elders or deacons for either lifetime service or limited terms of service on the session or board of deacons.”
Further Reading
Ordained Servant
“Some Thoughts on Term Eldership.” (John R. Sittema) 13:1 (Jan. 2004): 14-16. Available here.
The Presbyterian Guardian
John Murray, The Ordination of Elders: Some Arguments against Term Eldership. The Presbyterian Guardian, Vol 24. No. 2, (Feb. 15, 1955), pp. 23-25. Available here. An expanded edition of this article was published in the Collected Writings of John Murray, Vol. 2, pp. 351-356
Ned B Stonehouse, May We Prohibit Term Eldership? The Presbyterian Guardian, Vol. 24, No. 5, (May 16, 1955), pp. 75-77. Available here.

Keith’s Recommended Books
Martin Bucer, Concerning the True Care of Souls (Banner of Truth).
David Dickson, The Elder and His Work (P&R Publishing).
William Boekestein and Steven Swets (Editors) Faithful and Fruitful: Essays for Elders and Deacons (Reformed Fellowship).

The Ruling Elder Podcast speaks to Drew Gordon about his book 'The Elders of the People: Leadership in Christ’s Church' (Grassmarket Press, Pittsburgh, PA, 2025).
Drew is a ruling elder in the Reformed Presbyterian Church in North America, serving in Covenant Fellowship RP church in Pittsburgh PA, and is publications director for Crown and Covenant Publications.
Other books in the series mentioned in the podcast;
Written on the Heart: The Law of God by Stephen Steele
Remember the Poor: Cultivating a Heart of Generosity by Peter Smith
Worship, Feasting, Rest, Mercy: The Christian Sabbath by Daniel Howe
Together: Why We Need the Local Church by Gabriel and Isaac Wingfield
Other books in the series can be found at Grassmarket Press

Drew’s recommended books.
Timothy Z. Witmer, The Shepherd Leader: Achieving Effective Shepherding in Your Church (P&R Publishing, 2010)
Lawrence R. Eyres, The Elders of the Church, (P&R Publishing, 1975)
Leonard Stob, Mission Directed: Governing your Christian School with Purpose (Kindle Ebook)
Archibald Allison’s OS article on Biblical Qualifications for Elders can be found here. (Ordained Servant — Vol. 3, No. 4, pp. 80-96)