09481
June 12, 2009

Not business as usual

Big Tent workshop urges elders to re-think role, take risks, be ‘dangerous’

By Janet Tuck
Special to Presbyterian News Service

General Assembly Stated Clerk Gradye Parsons encourages Presbyterian elders during his workshop, "Dangerous Elders," at the Big Tent event. Photo by Janet Tuck

ATLANTA — “The office of elder is not just some job in the church. It is a distinct call and the key to the renewal of the Presbyterian Church.”

Those are the words PC(USA) Stated Clerk Gradye Parsons told those gathered for his workshop, “Becoming Dangerous Elders.”

The workshop is part of the National Elders Conference held here as a part of the first-ever Big Tent, which gathers 10 conferences under one roof.

Parsons went on to note that with the 500th anniversary of John Calvin’s birth this year, we celebrate Calvin’s understanding of the office of elder.

“Elders are called to service to change the world according to God’s plan. The office is not just about fixing the roof,” he said. “Central in the role of elder is relationship.”

Parsons urged elders to focus on nurturing faith and relationships as the office is set out according to the Book of Order.

“It is much more exciting than taking care of the budget or the building,” he said.

Elders are meant to be visible, leading worship, working along with the pastor in pastoral care and pushing the envelope on trying new things.

“My basic understanding of the Gospel is that it is about change, and that can be scary,” Parsons said.

The bottom line: being a dangerous elder is all about relationships and trying new ways of being, despite our fears of failure.

“We have to be willing to take risks,” Parsons said.