The elders’ threefold work (1)
Kuiper presents a comprehensive treatment of the threefold work of elders in the Reformed church—ruling/oversight, pastoral care, and teaching—emphasizing that eldership is a continual calling that encompasses all aspects of an elder's life, not merely formal duties in consistory meetings. This article provides practical theological grounding for understanding the scope and responsibilities of the elder's office within the Presbyterian polity of the Protestant Reformed tradition.
Confessional basis Having treated the nature and history of the office of elder, the qualifications for the office, and the call to and ordination into the office, we come now to the meat of the matter -- the work of the office of elder. The work of the office of elder is manifold. They are mistaken who consider the work of the office to be only that of oversight and rule, which work is performed primarily by sitting in the elders' bench during the worship services and by attending...
Full article available on sb.rfpa.org
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