Refresh our elders

Phil Smith (June  Journey) points to the reluctance of many members to respond positively to God's call to this ministry.

In too many Congregations, the role of elder has been restricted to that of pastoral carer, so that congregation members gifted in other areas have felt that they have no place on Church Council as elders, and some present elders feel they have no authority to debate temporal matters.

I urge Congregation members to read again  The Basis of Union - to study it using J. Davis McCaughey's and D'Arcy Wood's commentaries - and be inspired!