Elders also serve beyond the congregation

I enjoyed “What Presbyterians Believe: Elders as Spiritual Leaders” (March). It does a good job of pointing out that the session is a body for spiritual leadership, not just a board of directors. However, the piece leaves out an important part of being an elder: the continued service even when taking the required time off from serving actively on session. We do not cease to be elders, and it is the wise church that finds ways that elders can continue being spiritual leaders even if not currently on the session.

One of those ways of continued service is with higher governing bodies. At the presbytery and synod level we are always looking for dedicated servants to help with ministry there. In fact, the article only quotes the first half of the last ordination vow for elders, the second half being faithful service in governing bodies.

Finally, the article reinforces this misconception when the definition at the end for a ruling elder is one who is serving on the church session. A ruling elder is another name for the office we term as just an “elder” since, as you point out, presbyters or “elders” can be of either the teaching or ruling kind.

—Stephen Salyards, LaVerne, Calif.

Lenten devotions hit home

I am so grateful for Steven Shussett’s Lenten devotionals, “Surely the Lord Is in This Place” (January/February). His homiletical style can really “preach” in a most refreshing way of interpreting the Scripture.

For example, I read his Palm Sunday devotional based on Mark’s account of Jesus’ return to Galilee. The disciples tried to restrain Jesus because of the danger he had previously found there. The Scripture says that Jesus went before them.

I faced an uncertain and feared test in the hospital the next day, but was able to grasp that truth as I went into the test. Jesus went ahead of me, and now, whenever I feel threatened, I draw courage in that Jesus has gone before me.

—Frank Brown, Mankato, Minn.

Thank you for Lenten guide

I want to thank you for providing the Lenten Devotional Guide (January/February) this year. It has helped me in my prayer time.

—Ruth Nutt, Hahira, Ga.

Don’t treat protesters as heroes

In your March (NewsWatch) article, “Presbyterians among those arrested at Fort Benning protest,” are you saying it’s OK to break the law if you are a pastor? Are they willing to go to Iraq to protest the innocent bloodshed of women and children?

—Leo T. Morgan, Ostrander, Ohio

Misses the point

I am cited in Pat Cole’s short-term mission article (March). Or I should say mis-cited. The point of my article [cited in the PT article] calls into question whether or not participants in short-term mission have any lasting change.

While 40–50 percent report significant changes in donations, prayer, we found that by reviewing giving records their giving had not gone up at all — calling into question whether they were praying, etc., more too.

—Kurt Ver Beek, Ver Beek, Mich.