Rev. Andy Wilson and Rev. Russell Hamilton talk about Assurance and how The Marrow of Modern Divinity is helpful in untangling this perennial pastoral issue. They clarify of what, exactly, are we assured, what is the relationship between faith and assurance, and how are ruling elders to help people in the search for assurance? As Donald MacLeod says, "A believer can doubt his faith without doubting the Saviour.” ( From the Marrow Men to the Moderates, Scottish Theology 1700-1800, p.99) For more ...
Jul 15, 2025•37 min•Season 3Ep. 6
In this episode the Rev. Adrian Crum speaks about mental health and faith with the Rev. John Fikkert, a mental health counselor and Director of the OPC Committee on Ministerial Care, and his wife, Dr. Lindsay Fikkert, a psychologist at Pella Counseling. This episode is the second part of a republication of the recent Reformed Deacon podcast, (with their kind permission). We have divided the original podcast into two parts. Mental health is a tender thing. An episode or a chronic mental health il...
Jun 15, 2025•44 min•Season 3Ep. 5
In this episode the Rev. Adrian Crum speaks about mental health and faith with the Rev. John Fikkert, a mental health counselor and Director of the OPC Committee on Ministerial Care, and his wife, Dr. Lindsay Fikkert, a psychologist at Pella Counseling. This episode is a republication of the recent Reformed Deacon podcast, (with their kind permission). We have divided the original podcast into two parts. Part 2 will be published next month. (D.V.) Mental health is a tender thing. An episode or a...
May 15, 2025•47 min•Season 3Ep. 4
The Ruling Elder Podcast talks with Roger Wagner and David Winslow about ruling elders encouraging covenant youth. One of the tasks of ruling elders, as set out by BCO X:3, is that ruling elders should "nourish and guard the children of the covenant”. Rev. Roger Wagner, now a retired minister, was ordained to the ministry in 1973, serving ten years at Sonora, then he became pastor of Bayview OPC in Chula Vista, California in 1983 where he served for the next forty years until his retirement. Rul...
Apr 15, 2025•53 min•Season 3Ep. 3
Anneke Fesko and Laurie Tricarico discuss how elders can encourage women in the church. Anneke currently serves the OPC as Care Coordinator for Ministers’ Wives and works for the OPC Committee on Ministerial Care. (Committee of Walking Hugs) She is married to John, an ordained OPC minister and theology professor at Reformed Theological Seminary in Jackson, Mississippi. They have three children, two sons in high school and a daughter in elementary school, and live in Madison, Mississippi. Laurie ...
Mar 15, 2025•43 min•Season 3Ep. 2
Danny Olinger, General Secretary of the CCE, talks about ruling elders and Christian Education. The OPC cherished the work of Christian Education and quickly developed specific principles of Christian education and pedagogy to guide its work. Those principles are available here and will provided a stimulating starting point for the continuing importance of Christian Education in the churches. Danny’s three book recommendation for ruling elders are, R. B. Kuiper, The Glorious Body of Christ , (Ba...
Feb 11, 2025•44 min•Season 3Ep. 1
Rev. Andy Wilson and Rev. Russell Hamilton talk about The Marrow of Modern Divinity, an old book that wrestles with the free offer of Jesus Christ to sinners, and questions of law and assurance. This lively old book continues to be relevant to ruling elders in helping people with questions of faith, freedom from the law, legalism, and assurance. Gospel preaching is vital to gospel churches. Further Reading on the Marrow Edward Fisher, The Marrow of Modern Divinity, (Christian Focus, 2016). This ...
Dec 14, 2024•57 min•Season 2Ep. 12
In this podcast Anneke Fesko talks about how ruling elders can encourage a pastor’s wife. Anneke was hired a little over two years ago for the newly created position of Care Coordinator for Ministers’ Wives and works for the OPC Committee on Ministerial Care. (Committee of Walking Hugs) Anneke is the wife to John, an ordained OPC minister and theology professor at Reformed Theological Seminary in Jackson, Mississippi. They were married 22 years ago while John was a church planter for the OPC. Th...
Nov 15, 2024•1 hr•Season 2Ep. 11
Jonathan Cruse talks about how Ruling Elders can foster and energize congregational singing. Further Reading Resources by Jonathan Jonathan Landry Cruse, What Happens When We Worship, Reformation Heritage Books, 2020. Jonathan Landry Cruse, “What Every Elder needs to Know About Congregational Singing” in Faithful and Fruitful, Essays for Elders and Deacons, Eds. William Boekestein and Steven Swets, Reformed Fellowship Inc. 2019. Books mentioned in the podcast Jonty Rhodes, Reformed Worship (Bles...
Oct 15, 2024•53 min•Season 2Ep. 10
What can ruling elders do to promote better preaching? On this issue of the Ruling Elder podcast, John Currie, OPC pastor and Professor and Dean of Pastoral Theology, Westminster Theological Seminary, Philadelphia, discusses why this is so important and gives practical suggestions on how and when to do it, and, just as importantly, how not to do it. The OPC Form of Government says “[Ruling Elders] should have particular concern for the doctrine and conduct of the minister of the Word and help hi...
Sep 15, 2024•51 min•Season 2Ep. 9
David Watson is a ruling elder in Ballyclare Evangelical Presbyterian Church, in Co. Antrim, N. Ireland. The EPC, (Ireland), is a church with which the OPC has full ecclesiastical fellowship. Stephen Tracey grew up in that congregation and is delighted to talk to this faithful and beloved friend and mentor as he reflects on eighty years of life in one congregation, and current issues in church life in N. Ireland. In the podcast reference is made to a short book, A Good Work, Reflections on the E...
Aug 15, 2024•43 min•Season 2Ep. 8
Ryan McGraw talks about his new book, What Is Covenant Theology?: Tracing God's Promises through the Son, the Seed, and the Sacraments. Ryan is the Morton H. Smith Professor of Systematic Theology at Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary and serves as Teacher at Covenant Community OPC, Taylors SC. Are Israel and the Church Two Distinct Peoples of God? Ryan’s recommended reading John Owen, Communion with God. The full title is “Of Communion with God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, Each Pe...
Jul 15, 2024•38 min•Season 2Ep. 7
Jason Poquette is a ruling elder in Immanuel Chapel (OPC), Upton, MA. He is a Pharmacist and works in Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, MA. In this podcast he discusses how ruling elders can help Christians understand the proper use of medication, its limits, the difficulties of end of life decisions, and the place of Christians in the modern healthcare system. Jason's three book recommendations; John Bunyan, The Pilgrim's Progress . John Calvin, A Little Book on the Christian Life . R. C....
Jun 15, 2024•54 min•Season 2Ep. 6
On Sept. 5, 1986, Sanjay was onboard Pan Am Flight 73. It was hijacked by the PLO in Karachi, Pakistan. Sanjay survived, but was seriously injured, including subsequently undergoing the amputation of a leg. His cousin was the first person killed by the hijackers. 22 people died. Listen to his account of how God worked all things for good and brought new life out of the horror of a terrorist attack. As an elder he now asks people in their suffering to think—what glory will God have from this? (Sa...
May 15, 2024•46 min•Season 2Ep. 5
Gregory Reynolds interviews David VanDrunen about his latest book, Natural Law: A Short Companion , (B&H Academic, 2023, 160 pages). For more on Natural Law in Ordained Servant see the following; David VanDrunen, “Natural Law in Reformed Theology: Historical Reflections and Biblical Suggestions.” OS 21 (2012): 32-38. Available here. Nelson D. Kloosterman, “A Biblical Case for Natural Law: A Response Essay.” OS 16 (2007): 101-7. Available here. David VanDrunen, “VanDrunen in the Hands of an A...
Apr 15, 2024•36 min•Season 2Ep. 4
Stephen Tracey talks with Joshua Klein about work and flourishing, being faithful and loving in response to God. Joshua A. Klein is a ruling elder in Pilgrim OPC, Bangor ME. He is editor-in-chief of Mortise & Tenon Magazine . He has presented about historic craftsmanship at museums around the United States and has written articles for Fine Woodworking, Popular Woodworking , and American Period Furniture . Joshua is author of four books, including Joined: A Bench Guide to Furniture Joinery (M...
Mar 15, 2024•47 min•Season 2Ep. 3
Greg Reynolds talks to Stephen Tracey about how ruling elders respond to conflict in the church, whether it is among members, among the session, or with the pastor. More Resources “A Training Program for Elders.” (Greg Reynolds & William Shishko) 10:3 (Jul. 2001): 55-58. Available here . The updated version of this training program titled Let Them Serve is available from Greg upon request. reynolds.1@opc.org Books on Conflict resolution in the church recommended by Greg: Marshall Shelley, Mi...
Feb 15, 2024•40 min•Season 2Ep. 2
Stephen Tracey talks to Thomas Crumplar about the issue of domestic abuse. Tom is a ruling elder at Emmanuel OPC in Wilmington, Delaware, and co-founder of the law firm Jacobs and Crumplar, P. A. The New Horizons edition for February 1997 featured several articles on Domestic violence. It is available here . Also the edition for January 2021, available here . Suggested further reading: Jeremy Pierre & Greg Wilson, When Home Hurts: A Guide for Responding Wisely to Domestic Abuse in Your Churc...
Jan 15, 2024•39 min•Season 2Ep. 1
Stephen Tracey interviews his good friends Doug and Liz Babbitt on how elders can welcome, include, and connect with people affected by autism. We must remember that "the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable" (1 Corinthians 12:22 ESV) Further reading on Autism and the Church Grant Macaskill, Autism and the Church: Bible, Theology, and Community (Waco, TX: Baylor University Press, 2019) See Harrison Perkins’ online review of Macaskill’s book here Joni and Friends Resources W...
Dec 15, 2023•38 min•Season 1Ep. 12
Rev. Gregory Reynolds speaks with ruling elder Jim Gidley about his becoming a ruling elder and how he has supported the work of both the local church and the OPC. As an elder “you are shepherding people to follow their Savior in the day to day rough and tumble of life. You’re not shepherding them to be theological experts at detecting the heresies around them. You’re shepherding people to bear the cross, to keep the commandments and basically to be Christians” Pray more. “The time you spend spe...
Nov 15, 2023•21 min•Season 1Ep. 11
The ruling elder podcast talks with Chad Van Dixhoorn about the importance of the Westminster Confession of Faith and Catechisms to the work of the ruling elder. Says Chad, "It is a wonderful gift to be in a presbyterian church that does not try to work around the Standards but deploys them for all their various purposes." Further Reading Chad Van Dixhoorn, Confessing the Fatih: A Reader’s Guide to the Westminster Confession of Faith (The Banner of Truth Trust) ESV Bible with Creeds and Confessi...
Oct 15, 2023•38 min•Season 1Ep. 10
David Nakhla and Jeffrey Roach talk to Stephen Tracey about how ruling elders can help and encourage deacons. [David is Administrator for the OPC Committee on Diaconal Ministries, and a ruling elder in Calvary OPC, Glenside, PA. Jeffrey is a deacon in Resurrection Presbyterian Church (OPC), Matthews, NC.] Topics covered include good communication between elders and deacons, joint meetings, discretion, visitation, and the dangers of being overworked. The article "A Holy Kind of Chaos" by Rev. T. ...
Sep 15, 2023•40 min•Season 1Ep. 9
Stephen Tracey talks to Thomas Crumplar about the issue of child sexual abuse. Tom is a ruling elder at Emmanuel OPC in Wilmington, Delaware, and co-founder of the law firm Jacobs and Crumplar, P. A. Resources: Christopher W. Shishko, “ Volunteers and Your Church: Avoiding Legal Pitfalls ” Ordained Servant, 23 (2014): 66-68. Jonathan W. Shishko, “ Improving Upon the Status Quo: Child Safety ” Ordained Servant, 23 (2014): 69-71. Please visit the Ordained Servant Archive for the October 2002 issue...
Aug 15, 2023•33 min•Season 1Ep. 8
Stephen Tracey interviews his good friends Doug and Liz Babbitt on how elders can welcome, include, and connect with people affected by disabilities. We must remember that "the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable" (1 Corinthians 12:22 ESV) "People with disabilities need the church, and the church needs people with disabilities." To begin with, focus on one person or family at a time. We don't need to be experts in any area of disability, simply learning and practicing hosp...
Jul 15, 2023•33 min•Season 1Ep. 7
Stephen Tracey talks with the Rev. Gordon Cook, (Pastor of Living Hope, OPC, Brunswick, ME, and recently retired as a hospital chaplain) and Dr. Logan Murray, (Pediatric Hospitalist, and Ruling Elder in Living Hope OPC, Brunswick, ME). This episode is full of practical insights and wisdom on visiting people in hospital, or in hospice care. Jesus reminds us that visiting the sick is one of the marks of his sheep, “I was sick and you visited me…Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the leas...
Jun 15, 2023•37 min•Season 1Ep. 6
Listen to Stephen Tracey interview ruling elder John Muether on searching for a new pastor. Committee on Home Missions, Guidelines for Congregations to Follow in Discovering, Evaluating and Calling a Pastor: https://5mt.chmce.org/2011/10/02133343/Pastor-Search-Guidelines.pdf Looking for a Pastor: https://chmce.org/looking-for-a-pastor/ The Committee on Ministerial Care, Pastoral Compensation Tool: https://opccmc.org/pastoral-compensation-tool/ From Ordained Servant G. I. Williamson, “On Calling ...
May 15, 2023•31 min•Season 1Ep. 5
On this episode of the Ruling Elder Podcast David Winslow, Jr. is interviewed by Danny Olinger, General Secretary of the Committee on Christian Education. David has served as a ruling elder for more than 40 years. He has the following to highlight: “When you are asked to serve and are elected and ordained you are really being asked to serve a particular congregation. That should be the center of your focus.” Resources: G. I. Williamson, The Westminster Confession of Faith for Study Classes (Phil...
Apr 15, 2023•28 min•Season 1Ep. 4
In this episode of the Ruling Elder Podcast Danny Olinger interviews ruling elders James Gidley, and Michael Shields on teaching adult Sunday school. Both men have many years of experience and offer wise and practical counsel. For example, Gidley says, “You don’t master Scripture: the Scriptures master you.” Resources: Calvin R. Malcor, “Christian Education in the Local Church” Available at https://opc.org/nh.html?article_id=274 Patricia E. Clawson, “Sunday School Roundup” Available at https://o...
Mar 15, 2023•23 min•Season 1Ep. 3
“The privilege of a faithful elder…is to be ‘friends of the Bridegroom’, to be helps and witnesses to the betrothal of sinners to Jesus.” David Dickson, The Elder and His Work Lawrence Eyres, “How Can a Session Shepherd Its Pastor?” 8:2 (Mar. 1999): 29-31. https://opc.org/OS/pdf/OSV8N2.pdf Edwin J. Kreykes,“What Ruling Elders Can Do to Promote Better Preaching” 11:2 (Apr. 2002): 40-42. https://opc.org/OS/pdf/OSV11N2.pdf Ryan M. McGraw,“How a Faithful Elder Can Make a Difference: Reflections on t...
Feb 15, 2023•23 min•Season 1Ep. 2
Hear about why the Orthodox Presbyterian Church's Committee on Christian Education decided to start a podcast for Ruling Elders. We'll be hearing from Dr. A. Craig Troxel, President of the Committee on Christian Education. Resources from Dr. Troxel With All Your Heart: Orienting Your Mind, Desires, and Will Toward Christ (Crossway). OPC Doctrinal Standards Monthly Reading Schedule and Continuous Officer Training: https://nyneopc.org/2023/01/13/elder-training/ Resources in Ordained Servant “Bibli...
Jan 15, 2023•30 min•Season 1Ep. 1
