PC(USA) Leader Formation: Investing in Ruling Elders and Deacons

Regarding Ruling Elders

Along with teaching elders, ruling elders are called to ministry with responsibilities in several areas of the life of the church, including exercising leadership, governance, spiritual discernment, and discipline.

Regarding Ruling Elder articles for the next few years will explore some of these foundational roles allowing opportunities for reflection, education, exploration, and prayer for those who serve as, and with, ruling elders.

"Ruling Elders and the Practice of Prayer" is now available:

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227th General Assembly

June 22 - July 2, 2026
Committees Online; Plenaries in Milwaukee, WI 

As Alyson Janke reminded us in the “Councils of the Church” Regarding Ruling Elders article earlier this year:

“The General Assembly is the council of the whole church. It meets biennially and deliberates on matters of governance, mission, social witness and doctrine (G-3.0501).

When councils are meeting, they make decisions by majority vote, after debate and discussion and opportunity for discernment (F-3.0205). They use Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised to conduct their meetings (G-3.0105). They are ‘not simply to reflect the will of the people, but rather to seek together to find and represent the will of Christ’ (F-3.0204).

The councils are both independent and interconnected. The decisions of one become the decisions of the whole church (G-3.01), but each council has certain responsibilities reserved to it alone.”

Follow along with the business of the General Assembly

Training Resources

A curated list of tools and resources available for preparing

ruling elders and deacons for their roles in the church is available

on the Leader Formation website

Looking for resources?

Leader Formation: Investing in Ruling Elders and Deacons

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