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Just a couple of years out of college and not yet 26 years old, Paul Slaikeu made two very important decisions — he bought a modest house and he joined a nearby church, First Presbyterian Church in White Bear Lake, Minnesota.

Less than two years later a nominating committee member approached him and said, “We’re looking for new ruling elders for the next three years, would you consider that?” Paul asked the all-important first question, “Don’t I need to be older to be an elder?”

He wasn’t being glib; his experiences as a child growing up at a Wisconsin Presbyterian church were of ruling elders who were older men. No young elders, no women elders. How can you imagine the possibility of serving as a leader when there are no examples of leaders who look like you?

The nominating committee member shared their commitment to a range of ages and experiences on the session and expressed how important it was to have the gift of young voices in leadership.

Having secured a promise that an emphasis on buildings and finances would not be required, Paul was ordained to the office of ruling elder with his ministry focused on fellowship. Paul jokes he was the “party elder," yet the Directory for Worship lifts up the importance of gathering for “the fellowship and comfort of the community of faith” (W-5.0204) while we hear in W-5.0206 that

“God calls the Church to gather as the Body of Christ at other times and places to learn, pray, serve, and enjoy Christian fellowship. ... These gatherings present valuable opportunities for reading, studying, and discussing the Scriptures; Christian formation and nurture; praying for one another, the church, and the world; sharing personal stories, celebration, and concerns; common work, meals, fellowship, and recreation; and living out the gospel through acts of witness and service.”

Nurturing the covenant community of God is an important element of Ruling Elder Paul Slaikeu’s call. Several challenging events and experiences have broadened his worldview and his commitment for all of God’s people to be seen and loved.

Paul was still in college when the church his family attended finally nominated and elected a woman as a ruling elder, but not without contentiousness which caused harm. Several years later, as a questioning young adult, Paul carefully read through the Book of Order and the Book of Confessions to be sure that there was nothing that would exclude him from saying “yes” to serving as a ruling elder at the White Bear Lake church. Later still, and before the Book of Order allowed same-gender marriage, Paul witnessed a presbytery panel discussing the right of his pastor to perform a commitment ceremony — his commitment ceremony.

Paul is a person of strong faith, lives out the call to serve not only the saints at Windsor Presbyterian Church, where he is now a member and clerk of session, but the whole church. He has served as a leader and a member of the councils of the church at congregation, presbytery, and General Assembly levels and in his ministry shown the love and justice of Jesus Christ.

Ruling Elder Paul Slaikeu is two courses away from completing his educational preparation to serve as a commissioned ruling elder. With the help of his pastor, he is discerning to what he is commissioned. He knows this, though. He will continue to offer his gifts to the church and the presbytery and serve faithfully so that the ministry of the whole people of God may flourish.

For Reflection:

  • Take time to reflect on a time or event that has challenged your belief. Was this a transformative experience for you? For those around you? If so, how and what has changed? If not, what might be the reason?
  • How might you exhibit the love and justice of Jesus Christ beyond the walls of the session room or the walls of the congregation? What would be your level of comfort or discomfort? Take time to explore any questions, insights, and emotions that may arise.

valerie izumi is a ruling elder serving the Office of the General Assembly as an assistant stated clerk, coordinating the General Assembly nominations process.

Throughout 2023 and 2024, monthly "Regarding Ruling Elders" articles alternate between a deep dive into the ways ruling elders discern and measure the life of a congregation through the ministry of members AND stories about how ruling elders are using their call and gifts as they move within and beyond the walls of the congregation.

Subscribe to receive notifications of monthly "Regarding Ruling Elders" articles. Visit the PC(USA) Leader Formation website for more resources for ruling elders and deacons. For more information, email Martha Miller, editor of "Regarding Ruling Elders."