The Highway Forums General Discussion Open Forum Elders and Deacons

In Presbyterian churches, are the office and elder and deacon permanent or are the only for a limited length of time. In the church I'm attending it seems (I need to confirm) the the elders and deacons are replaced every year or their term is extended. Is this normal practice or is it dependent on the individual church? I always thought it was more of a permanent position, but I have never really given it much thought. Anyway, a year seems like a very short period of time.

Thanks,
John

Even though many churches rotate their Elders and Deacons off the board, they are still considered ordained to their office.

John,

In my church a term of (3) years is normal for someone ordained to the office of elder or deacon. It is generally understood that, "once and elder always an elder." However when one is not currently serving on the Council they are viewed as "inactive" versus an "active" elder. After a reasonable time off if they are nominated and elected to the office again they once again become an "active" elder. This is not to say that while they are inactive they cannot continue to give service to the church in other ways but they will not be a member of the current Council.

The term of active service and the amount of time off between terms of service is decided by each Council and the need. For example a larger church may have more candidates than a smaller church.

The Scriptural qualifications for office should be used as a guideline for each candidate. This remains true for returning elders as well as new.


Wes

This has been my experience also, that a typical term of active service is 3 years. But your reply activated my dormant "nit" in regard to how in many, if not most, churches, Deacons are deemed "inferior" to Elders. Since BOTH are ordained to office, would it not seem consistent and right that Deacons should also be deemed "once a Deacon always a Deacon"? The actually "calling" to serve in the Church of Christ is done by God the Holy Spirit Who dispenses the necessary gifts to those who are going to be office bearers and Who also causes such men to be recognized by their peers as having been specially gifted to serve. Is it therefore not only right that both Elders and Deacons be recognized and treated without prejudice in this regard? <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/scratchchin.gif" alt="" />

In His grace,

I know of no Scriptural term limits for either office. Our church (PCA) has no such limits. Once elected and ordained, deacons and elders serve as long as they wish unless removed for discipline. I would object to having to re-elect church officers because of some extraBiblical blanket policy.

But among churches in my denomination, the practice of term limits varies greatly - some serve only for a year, others 3 years, some for "life," etc.

As Pilgrim is a "Presbygationalist," I sort of find myself preferring a sort of "Presbypiscopal" polity. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/giggle.gif" alt="" />

I agree with that assessment and that those called to this service are equiped by the Holy Spirit and their gifts are recognized by their peers. I also agree with your assessment that deacons shouldn't be looked at as if they were inferior to elders. The roles are different but neither office bearer should lord it over the other.

For my personal devotions I've been reading through the book of Acts and marvel at the testimony of those first deacons ordained to the church. Look at the ministry of Stephen and Philip as recorded in Acts 6-8.


Wes

In our church, we don't ordain the Deacons. We ordain the Elders and install the Deacons. The Elders are the ruling body of the church and the Diaconate serve the Elders and the church.

SDG,
Dan

Thanks all,

After reading the responses and thinking more about the ordination ceremony at church last week, I think that, at least for the elders, the office is permanent (although possiblye inactive). The elders who took the vows were new elders I think. On the other hand, I know for certain at least one of the deacons in the ceremony was also a deacon last year, so I suppose there is a distinction between the terms of elders and deacons in my church. I guess I'll have to ask to know for sure.

I agree with what everyone posted, though, that elders and deacons are distinct offices and one is not inferior to the other.

John