Elders

The office of Elder has its foundation in thirteen passages or verses in the New Testament and in the 125 references to Elders in the Old Testament. The Greek word for Elder in the New Testament, Prebyteros, whose root meaning is “old person,” acquired the secondary meaning as a figure of authority. The name “Presbyterian Church” is derived from this, meaning a church governed by Elders according to the Biblical pattern.

The duties of the Elders at OPPC are derived from their Biblical context and from The Book of Order of the Presbyterian Church, U.S.A. Generally, those duties include:

Government, administration and leadership of the Congregation;
Shepherding and pastoral care, which includes the admission of persons to membership, dismissal of persons from membership, and nurturing and pastoral care of members;
Christian education at all levels of membership;
Worship, including administration of the Sacraments;
Evangelism;
Stewardship;
Mission outreach support; and
Liaison with higher judicatories, including the Presbytery.