What’s Happening Sunday?

This Sunday, we’re doing something a little unusual. In fact, it’s possible that some of you may have never seen this kind of service before. Under normal circumstances, elders in the local church are ordained and installed in the local church by the local Session, but since we have been received into the EPC, our elders need to be installed by our new presbytery. We’ll have elders from several churches in our presbytery joining us for this service.

Ordination is what makes someone an elder. This is done through the laying on of hands by other elders (see 1 Tim. 4:14, 2 Tim. 1:6), and it is only done one time–once an elder, always an elder. Installation is when an ordained elder is appointed to a particular role. All of our elders have previously been ordained, so the purpose of Sunday evening’s service is to install them as elders in the EPC. They will take vows to serve the church with moral integrity and doctrinal purity, and the congregation will take vows to sumbit to and support the elders in their calling. This is a very solemn and important event in the life of our church, but it is also a great time of rejoicing and thanksgiving for God’s provision to us.

Also, here’s a short video explaining the basic of Presbyterian church government to help you:

Your friend in Christ,
Reid