1. Discern and Measure Workshop Presentation by Diana Barber

2. Constitutional Expectations …the New Testament church provided persons with particular gifts to share in discernment of God’s Spirit and governance of God’s people… Ruling elders are so named not because they “lord it over” the congregation (Matt. 20:25), but because they are chosen by the congregation to discern and measure its fidelity to the Word of God, and to strengthen and nurture its faith and life. Ruling elders, together with teaching elders, exercise leadership, government, spiritual discernment, and discipline and have responsibilities for the life of a congregation as well as the whole church... (G-2.0301)

3. Key Words  Discern  Measure  Strengthen  Nurture Fidelity to the Word of God The congregation’s faith and life

4. Discern  To separate or distinguish  To test in crisis or to distinguish good and evil  To find the authentic and valuable and to recognize the counterfeit  To see to the heart of the matter with spiritual eyes, from God’s vantage point  To be able to see the trees in the forest  To possess immediate and direct insight

5. “From humility comes discernment, from discernment comes insight, and from insight comes foresight.” John Climacus (6 th Century)

6. Measure  The Foundations of Presbyterian Polity  Notes of the Reformed Church (F-1.0303)  Great Ends of the Church (F-1.0304)  Principles of Presbyterian Government (F-3.02)  Ministry of Members (G-1.0304) What marks on the ruler will we use? How will we know fidelity to the Word of God when we see it?

7. Strengthen and Nurture Use the results of our discerning and measuring to lead our congregations toward the full realization of faithful life together.

8. Necessary Gifts Qualities for all candidates for ordination  Strong faith  Dedicated discipleship  Love of Jesus Christ  A life that is a demonstration of the Christian Gospel (G-2.0104)

9. Additional expectations of Ruling Elders  Wisdom  Maturity of faith  Skills in leadership  A compassionate spirit

10. The Important Work The most important work for us may well be:  Bible study  Prayer  Worship  Listening  Reviewing the health of the congregation  Staying connected in the life of the congregation  And…

11. Two Questions for Us All  How do we identify in others the necessary gifts and qualities for ordination as a ruling elder?  What could we do in our congregations to help those who are already ordained and those who may yet be called to be most effective in their service?