Elder and Deacon Training

Presbyterian churches come in many shapes and forms and conduct ministry and witness in a variety of contexts. Yet one commonality is the presence of church leaders who are elected by the congregation for a period of service. Some congregations elect both Deacons and Ruling Elders, others opt for a unicameral system in which Ruling Elders attend to the duties assigned to both groups. Since the expressions of church can be so different, it makes sense that there is no one ‘right way’ to train elders and deacons. The good news is there are resources that can be used as is or adapted to tailor solid training for these church leaders.