The Joy, Responsibility, and Danger of Being a Presbyter

It is that time of year again when many NAPARC denominations will have annual denominational meetings. The OPC GA is about to conclude. The ARPC begins today. The RPCNA and PCA will be in the next couple of weeks. 

I have thought a lot recently about my work at the presbytery and synod levels. One of my local church elders warned me 15 years ago to be careful because this can be heady stuff. He was right. However, it is work that we are called to do—necessary work for the peace, purity, prosperity, and unity of the church. 

There is a real joy in doing this work, especially for pastors. It can be a great encouragement to be with fellow pastors. I like the fact that the ARPC General Synod has a homecoming or family reunion feel to it. It can be the embodiment of Psalm 133. It is a joy to do the work of presbytery and synod. Helping develop and shape students of theology, planting churches, creating programs to bless local churches, and helping the church function should be a joy in our ministry. 

There is also a sense of responsibility. Pastors and Elders are shepherds, and we must protect the church from wolves. This means diligence, and when wolves are found, battles. The ARPC has endured a difficult period where we uncovered ministers and elders who have shown themselves as wolves in the flock. They refused the discipline of the church and have become schismatic, fled jurisdiction, and, in one case, declared himself to be apostate. Dealing with these wolves required men to step up to the responsibilities of being a presbyter and holding those counted as once brothers and friends accountable to the Word for their soul's sake.  

A great danger also lies in this work. To be fair, it contains many dangers. Pride and arrogance can rise up inside us as we do this work. It is easy to lean on your wisdom or worldly understanding and weapons to do this work. With the political nature of our bodies, there can be a strong pull for our Presbyteries, Synods, or General Assemblies to break down into hard divisions. We start to exude the partisan spirit of Washington, DC, rather than the Godly picture of Psalm 133 or of what Jesus prays for us to be in John 17. Often, we stop seeing fellow presbyters as brothers in Christ and primarily see them as ecclesiastical foes. This wrong viewing of brothers can lead us to bitterness and even hatred. 

Another danger of this work is that it can pull us too much away from the work of local church ministry. I’m glad to be in a denomination where the focus is local ministries, and our Synod and its agencies want to help the local church. I work for our Educational ministry, and my mandate from our president is to help Erskine College and Seminary bless the ARP church as much as possible. This local emphasis is a crucial point to remember - in ministry, the rubber meets the road in the local church. The local church is where discipleship, evangelism, worship, and being salt and light take place. Beware of the danger of being pulled too far away from the real work of local ministry. 

A final danger is that we can become puffed up by our work. It can play to our pride and reputation. There is only one name we should want to advance, that of King Jesus. 

I encourage each of you as Elders and Ministers in Christ Church to take seriously your calling and your work at the presbytery and denominational levels. May it be a joy to work with fellow Christians in advancing the church. Take seriously the responsibility and solemn duties that are yours as officers in Christ Church. Finally, watch out for the dangers that come with the territory. Keep your eyes on Christ, and remember His commands as you do the work Christ has called you to do.