The Teaching Elder and Ruling Elder distinction is not a PCA creation, but one that is Presbyterian (of all stripes) that was brought over from Scotland. And ruling elders are examined for their Christian knowledge in Bible and doctrine. They are examined by the local church which in most cases is not as strenuous as the Presbytery examining teaching elders.

On the matter of term limits, it seems as if bigger churches who have the number of qualified men use that method, but smaller churches who scrapes to find 2, 3, or 4 elders do not employ term limits due to the lack of men qualifying. In addition, those men who have rotated off the Session (through term limits) are still elders, they just do not take part in the daily, weekly, or monthly meetings.

*** I need to research whether teaching and ruling elders came over from Scotland, or an american Presbyterianism creation. I know that american Presbyterianism has its roots in Scottish Presbyterianism.

Last edited by John_C; Sat Nov 26, 2016 10:04 AM.
John Chaney

"having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith . . ." Colossians 2:7