Ruling Elder luncheon attendees received a special gift from the events hosts. Photo by Kristen Gaydos
Those attending the Ruling Elders Luncheon Monday could easily detect that Martha Miller, Manager of Ministry Education and Support in the Office of the General Assembly, is also a certified Christian educator.
As the host of the sold-out luncheon, Miller placed everyday items — a rubber band, a spool of thread, a measuring tape, a seashell and other items — in a small container on each table to generate discussion.
“You might have some work to do while you eat,” said Miller, whose job it is in part to support ruling elders and deacons as they are formed in their ministry and their leadership. “Instead of having a speaker today, you’re going to be speaking to each other.” She asked each ruling elder present to “think about how your item might be used to describe your ministry.”
For one ruling elder, the rubber band brought on thoughts of stretching to welcome newcomers. The measuring tape reminded another how far members of their congregation still had to go.
Miller also provided each table with a notebook containing discussion questions, including:
- How have you felt God’s presence in your service as a ruling elder?
- When you agreed to serve, what do you wish you already knew?
- How would you describe the role?
- What topics would you like in future resources for ruling elders?
The PC(USA)’s new Stated Clerk, the Rev. Jihyun Oh, stopped by for lunch and the opportunity to offer remarks on the importance of ordered ministry. “One of the things I hope you will recognize about our newly installed Stated Clerk,” Miller said, “is that one of the first places she is spending time is with ruling elders.”
Oh said she started her work in the Office of the General Assembly more than six years ago managing called process support. She’d check in with committees on ministry around the country and “heard folks talk about their issues and questions, and the concerns congregations were bringing forward,” she said. “What I kept noticing was how many amazing leaders we have in the church. Many of them were ruling elders, because there are so many more of them than teaching elders. That continues to give me so much hope for the PC(USA).”
Martha Miller, Manager of Ministry Education and Support in the Office of the General Assembly, speaks during the Ruling Elder luncheon on July 1, 2024 in Salt Lake City. Photo by Kristen Gaydos
Presbyterians believe that “even children can lead us,” she said. “In the Presbyterian Church, we believe it’s not one person who does it all. It’s all of our work together, the leadership of all of us together. That’s how we are faithful sharing God’s mission and ministry in the world.”
The Stated Clerk noted that as people shared the stories about the object they chose, “you talked about connecting with new people coming to your church. You talked about how you stretched yourself. You talked about growing in cultural competence welcoming new people. We need to create and maintain spaces where people feel welcome and where they belong.”
“As we continue to grow, we are being formed and sanctified in the shape of Christ together,” Oh said. I’m so grateful for your presence at this General Assembly as you continue to seek Christ’s mind together.”
Learn more about Leader Formation here.