OPC Ruling Elder Podcast a Podcast from the OPC Committee on Christian Education

Gregory Reynolds interviews David VanDrunen about his latest book, Natural Law: A Short Companion, (B&H Academic, 2023, 160 pages).

For more on Natural Law in Ordained Servant see the following;
David VanDrunen, “Natural Law in Reformed Theology: Historical Reflections and Biblical Suggestions.” OS 21 (2012): 32-38. Available here.

Nelson D. Kloosterman, “A Biblical Case for Natural Law: A Response Essay.” OS 16 (2007): 101-7. Available here.

David VanDrunen, “VanDrunen in the Hands of an Anxious Kloosterman: A Response to a Review.” OS 16 (2007): 107-13. Available here.

Gregory Edward Reynolds “Education, Natural Law, and the Two Kingdoms” OS 21 (2012): 14-17. Available here.

Stephen Tracey talks with Joshua Klein about work and  flourishing, being faithful and loving in response to God.

Joshua A. Klein is a ruling elder in Pilgrim OPC, Bangor ME. He is editor-in-chief of Mortise & Tenon Magazine. He has presented about historic craftsmanship at museums around the United States and has written articles for Fine Woodworking, Popular Woodworking, and American Period Furniture. Joshua is author of four books, including Joined: A Bench Guide to Furniture Joinery (Mortise & Tenon, 2020), and Worked: A Bench Guide to Hand-Tool Efficiency (Mortise & Tenon, 2022). He also serves as Associate Fellow in Mechanical Arts at Greystone Theological Institute. Joshua, his wife, and their three sons are currently restoring an 1821 cape on the coast of Maine.

Further Reading
On Work
Leland Ryken, Work and Leisure in Christian Perspective
Timothy Keller, Every Good Endeavor: Connecting Your Work to God’s Work
Daniel Doriani, Work: Its Purpose, Dignity, and Transformation

On Typology
G. K. Beale, Handbook on the New Testament Use of the Old Testament
Sidney Greidanus, Preaching Christ from the Old Testament: A Contemporary Hermeneutical Method
Alistair Roberts & Andrew Wilson, Echoes of Exodus: Tracing Themes of Redemption through Scripture
(Stephen Tracey also recommends Patrick Fairbairn, The Typology of Scripture )

On Flow in Thought and Work
Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience

And maybe take up a craft...

Greg Reynolds talks to Stephen Tracey about how ruling elders respond to conflict in the church,  whether it is among members, among the session, or with the pastor.

More Resources
“A Training Program for Elders.” (Greg Reynolds & William Shishko) 10:3 (Jul. 2001): 55-58. Available here. 

The updated version of this training program titled Let Them Serve is available from Greg upon request. reynolds.1@opc.org

Books on Conflict resolution in the church recommended by Greg:
Marshall Shelley, Ministering to Problem People in Your Church: What to Do With Well-Intentioned Dragons. Bethany House Publishers. 1985, 2013.
Ken Sande, The Peacemaker: A Biblical Guide to Resolving Personal Conflict, Baker Books, 3rd edition, 2004.
Jay Adams, Handbook of Church Discipline: A Right and Privilege of Every Church Member, Zondervan, 1896.

Greg’s three (he gave 5) books he believes elders must read:
Samuel Miller, The Ruling Elder: The Warrant, Nature, and Duties of the Office in the Presbyterian Church.
David Dickson, The Elder and his Work.
Lawrence R. Eyres, The Elders of the Church.
Gerard Berghoef and Lester De Koster, The Elders Handbook - A Practical Guide for Church Leaders.
The Westminster Confession of Faith and Catechisms.

Stephen Tracey talks to Thomas Crumplar about the issue of domestic abuse. Tom is a ruling elder at Emmanuel OPC in Wilmington, Delaware, and co-founder of the law firm Jacobs and Crumplar, P. A.

The New Horizons edition for February 1997 featured several articles on Domestic violence. It is available here.  Also the edition for January 2021, available here.
Suggested further reading:
Jeremy Pierre & Greg Wilson, When Home Hurts: A Guide for Responding Wisely to Domestic Abuse in Your Church, Christian Focus (2021).
Darby A. Strickland, Is It Abuse?: A Biblical Guide to Identifying Domestic Abuse and Helping Victims, P&R Publishing (2020)
Brad Hambrick, Becoming a Church that Cares Well for the Abused, B&H Books (2019).

Stephen Tracey interviews his good friends Doug and Liz Babbitt on how elders can welcome, include, and connect with people affected by autism.

We must remember that  "the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable" (1 Corinthians 12:22 ESV)

Further reading on Autism and the Church

Grant Macaskill, Autism and the Church: Bible, Theology, and Community (Waco, TX: Baylor University Press, 2019)
See Harrison Perkins’ online review of Macaskill’s book here
 
 Joni and Friends Resources
 Welcoming People With Autism: Four Practical Strategies

Learn the Truth About People with Autism and Welcome Them Into the Church  




We apologize that due to technical difficulties, the publishing of this episode was belated.  Thank you for your patience.

Rev. Gregory Reynolds speaks with ruling elder Jim Gidley about his becoming a ruling elder and how he has supported the work of both the local church and the OPC.

As an elder “you are shepherding people to follow their Savior in the day to day rough and tumble of life. You’re not shepherding them to be theological experts at detecting the heresies around them. You’re shepherding people to bear the cross, to keep the commandments and basically to be Christians”

Pray more. “The time you spend speaking to God for your people is more valuable than the time you spend talking to your people for God.”

Mr. Gidley has written many helpful articles for Ordained Servant.

“Biblical Theology and the Session – Part 1: Redemptive History and the Church’s Confession of Faith” 9:2 (Apr. 2000): 35-38.
“Biblical Theology and the Session – Part 2: Redemptive History and the Church Discipline” 9:3 (Jul. 2000): 50-54.
“Biblical Theology and the Session – Part 3: Redemptive History and the Character of the People” 9:4 (Oct. 2000): 72-76.
“Covenant Blessings for Singles.” 19 (2010): 58-61.
“The Education of a Monster” 21 (2012): 86-90.
“The Future of Calvinism” 2:2 (Apr. 1993): 42-47. [reprinted 15 (2006): 79-86]
“A New Stage on the Pilgrimage of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church” 8:3 (Jul. 1999): 63-66.
“Of Creation Days and the Keys of the Kingdom” 9:1 (Jan. 2000): 21-23.
“The Soul of Frankenstein” 16 (2007): 62-65.
“The Theology of Frankenstein: Deism vs. Biblical Theism” 27 (2018): 19-24.
“The Two Cultures: A Lifetime Later” 23 (2014): 103-9.
“Why a Candidates and Credentials Conference?” 21 (2012): 45-52.