Reflections on Eldership

Reflections from Practising Elders

laurence Wareing

• Publisher: Saint Andrew Press
• Year: 2014
• Print ISBN: 9780861538218
• eBook ISBN: 9780861538249
• Topic: Theology & Religion
• Subtopic: Religion

Eldership is a serious commitment to a lifelong role of responsibility. In this unique collection of personal reflections on key issues for Elders by Elders across Scotland, we have one of the most revealing and absorbing insights ever into what it really means to play an active role in the daily national and local life of the Church of Scotland.

1. The Road to Eldership

How do women and men become elders? Are they guided to a sense of call after being encouraged to think and respond to the idea? Do they hear a persistent voice in the manner of the boy Samuel who was called early in life to a life of leadership and prophecy (as told in 1 Sam. 3)? Sometimes a divine signal is indeed very clear, however hard it may be to describe in words. More often, however, elders speak of coming to the role in ways that seem to reveal little of divine activity: because it ‘feels right’; because they were caught in the street in a weak moment; maybe because they were the next name on an ever-diminishing list of options; or simply because they ‘fell into’ the role almost without thinking – it was another step in a lifetime of commitment to the Church. Not that this makes their role and contribution within their local congregations and communities in any way invalid. Far from it. And from their different experiences, many elders offer simple and clear advice for anyone who has been asked to consider taking on this lifetime commitment to an ordained role within the Church.

On a visit to Jerusalem, says Donald MacKinnon from Oban, we walked the road to Calvary and when the tour guide pointed out the station of the cross where Simon of Cyrene was press-ganged into carrying Christ’s cross (Mark 15.21–22) I felt very moved and vowed to do more to serve my Lord.

The best advice I was given, by the then session clerk, was ‘be yourself’.

* * *

Maureen Mackinnon, one of five elders in the small village of Portnahaven on the Isle of Islay, was also out walking when she found herself directed on to the road to the eldership.

I was made an elder in November 2000. I was accosted in the street by an interim minister. It was a hard time for me. My mother had died after having two bad strokes. I had looked after her for three and a half years, which was draining. I wasn’t well myself and I was trying to run a business. I was very low. How did I feel? It’s difficult to say because I’m indigenous. Your roots go back – you’re just part of the village so you do things. I’ve never thought of it as a burden or a gift. If you say ‘yes’, you make a commitment. When you signed the formula, you made a vow.

* * *

Although born in Shetland, I grew up within the Presbyterian Church community of Australia after my father accepted a call to the parish of Kirklands, Tasmania in 1950, recalls Alastair Christie-Johnston.

I was part of a young, vibrant congregation in the 1960s numbering about 150 communicants (St Matthew’s Presbyterian Church, Glenorchy in Tasmania). Three session vacancies were to be filled and I was asked if I’d accept nomination. I was 28 years old at the time, employed as a Field Officer with the Scout Association and an enthusiastic Sunday School teacher. As a son of the manse my life to date had always revolved around the church and involvement was second nature to me. I would not say I experienced a call from God as such – at least not in the way I understand that term. It was more a case of being carried along by the tide. St Matthew’s had a dynamic young minister who was a good friend and something of a role model. In retrospect I’m sure he had a lot to do with helping me in reaching my decision. These were exciting times for the Church in which enthusiastic moves were afoot that subsequently brought about the formation of The Uniting Church of Australia.

I felt myself privileged to be nominated to the role and when I was elected I entered upon the work with youthful enthusiasm. I was given a list of communicants for whom I was responsible and was expected to visit them at least four times a year, reporting directly to the minister on any relevant issues that were raised. Most of the elders were of a similar age to me and we took our responsibilities very seriously. Prior to becoming an elder I didn’t particularly think about those responsibilities. Willingness to do one’s best seemed to be all that mattered.

* * *

In 1966 the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland agreed to ordain women as elders on the same terms and conditions as men. Some years later Sheilah Steven recalls questioning whether it was right for her, as a woman, to become an elder.

Bearing in mind that this was over 30 years ago, my main question was a theological one. Was the eldership a role for a woman, given Biblical evidence? Having discussed it with my husband, who is not an elder although he has been asked several times, he was happy for me to proceed. I studied the relevant Biblical passages. In prayer I received the assurance that this was a role that I could fulfil with God’s grace. Interestingly it was not until some five years later, when I was able to help a member of my district in a spiritual way, that I ‘felt’ that God had indeed called me to the role. Up to that point I felt I was merely fulfilling a practical role for the church, albeit one that gave me a sense of fulfilment.

The advice I would give: ask what it practically involves; attend a training course if possible; discuss it with someone who knows you well; pray for guidance; expect guidance to be given!

* * *

One woman I spoke to said she felt she was ‘not good enough to be an elder’.

None of us is ‘good enough’, in the Christian sense. I was very surprised when I was asked to become an elder. I didn’t think I was clever enough or good enough. Also there were not many women elders at that time. Quite a few people were against women in the eldership.

I think the contribution women have made has been seen to be very valuable. I know the minister at that time was very pleased with the contribution of women and wanted more. Yes, I think he was bucking the trend and I believe within the local area there is still one congregation without a woman in the eldership.

More women are being made elders but I wouldn’t like to see a preponderance of women over men. I’d want to see a balance. Though there are more women coming to church than men, and many of us are widows.

* * *

I cannot say I experienced God’s call when reaching my decision, says Sylvia Davie. However, it felt right and I felt I had something to offer. At that point I was where I wanted to be in my life. I was content and felt it was time to give God something back in return for guiding me to where I was.

* * *

I had been involved in church life, says Mima Bell from Glasgow, in the Girls’ Brigade and so on. But when I was asked to be an elder my first thought was, ‘Am I good enough?’ I prayed and thought at length and, as I did so, I felt as though I had so much more to give to God’s service. My minister helped me to understand that God did not expect me to be a readymade perfect elder; that it was only through being willing to pray and learn that I could be an elder.

The only advice I would give another person is to think, and remember that being an elder is not being another committee person; it is much more important.

* * *

I got asked. That’s basically it. My personal feeling was that I was never going to put myself forward for it. It was not a great surprise to folk – I’d been to the General Assembly as a Youth Representative. I’d been to a session meeting and I’d been a member of the congregational board. I knew the workings of the church, but thought I’d have to be asked. My experience of elders had been that I found a few of them a bit ‘Look at me!’ – as if the eldership was a sort of status thing. I didn’t want that accusation to be attached to me. The eldership is about serving and humility – that’s a huge part of it. So the best way would be to be able to say, ‘You asked me’.

Both my parents are elders in the church. My dad’s advice was, ‘Don’t do it’! Why? Because the closer you get to the centre of things, the more of the politics you uncover and the more rigid it can be. And it gets more stressful. That was also my experience before becoming an elder!

* * *

Just prior to being ordained as an elder, William (Willie) Scobie recorded his feelings on the matter in a letter to his minister, Revd Ian Miller.

‘A few weeks ago you very kindly let me know that I might be asked to join the kirk session, and that this would involve eldership … To be asked (if I ever am) to become an elder of Bonhill Church would be to present me with a very wonderful honour … The reality of eldership is, I suspect, quiet, dignified service, requiring some sacrifice, much tact and the setting of a constant good example … In fact it is all too easy to see my own unworthiness and unsuitability. I could fill pages with my inadequacies and doubts – perhaps I should. However, I am glad to say that my attitude towards this challenge has been coloured by the enduring memory of those many sermons that you have preached on the theme of the extraordinary things God can do with certain very ordinary people.’

I was enormously inspired by the following words written by Professor William Barclay:

When a man enters the eldership, no small honour is conferred upon him, for he is entering on the oldest religious office in the world, whose history can be traced through Christianity and Judaism for four thousand years; and no small responsibility falls upon him, for he has been ordained a shepherd of the flock of God and a defender of the Faith.

(The Letters of James and Peter (New Daily Study Bible): 1 Peter 5.1–4, under the heading ‘The Christian Eldership’ – see Appendix 1.)

* * *

By 1994 I was already active in other ways within the congregation, having been a Girls’ Brigade officer and Sunday School teacher for just over ten years and representing both the Girls’ Brigade and Sunday School on the Congregational Board.

From the Urban Priority Area of Possilpark, Karen Ritchie writes of becoming an elder at a relatively young age.

When asked to become an elder I was unsure. However, the minister at the time was very supportive and as there were a number of us in the congregation asked to join the kirk session at the same time a short course, led by the minister, explained the workings of the kirk session and the responsibility of serving the local congregation and the wider Church.

The main thing that gave me concern was that this was an ordination and was for life. I was still quite young and found the thought that this was for life daunting. I considered that I was already serving the Lord by my involvement in the children and youth work within the church, and that by becoming an elder this would extend my service in the local congregation as a whole and my part in looking after the people in my designated district. In that way I would also be serving the local community and wider work of the Chu...

Table of contents

• Copyright information
• Contents
• Preface
• Introduction
• Eldership in the Church of Scotland
• 1. The Road to Eldership
• 2. Promises, Promises …
• 3. Seeking Spiritual Growth
• 4. Experiencing Change
• 5. Hopes and Dreams
• 6. The Elder as Pastor
• 7. Making Some Things New
• 8. Making Space for Young People
• 9. ‘To See Oursels as Others See Us’
• 10. Decision makers
• Appendix 1. Resources
• Appendix 2. Questionnaire