Defining leadership is hard. Is it power? prestige? influence? In the church it can be harder, with its confusing variety of leadership structures and the too-frequent conflicts and scandals. What makes a good leader? How can you be a leader in your own context? What should everyday leadership look like in the local church?
Despite the smoke and mirrors surrounding leadership, Drew Gordon calls us back to the Bible’s plain, clear, and practical picture of what good leaders are in the church and society. He shares stories of how he has seen that model work in today’s church—the encouraging and the difficult. This book is for anyone interested in what church elders are and how they are to do their work.
Grassmarket Press/ Bedrock Series
What People are saying
In every generation and season, Christ's church needs good shepherds. The Elders of the People walks us through the calling, character, and challenges of service as an elder in a basic yet compelling way. Through the gentle voice of an experienced shepherd, the book invites us to consider the clear claims of Christ on us, whether elders, prospective elders, or sheep under his care as the Great Shepherd of us all.
Calvin Troup president, Geneva College
The strength of this book is clarity. Drew Gordon knows his material so well that he writes in short sentences and plain language. Plus he offers readers a high and hopeful view of the church.
Russ Pulliam Indianapolis Star
This book stands as an invaluable resource for the global church — spanning every tribe, tongue, and nation. Elder Gordon's work aims to equip and strengthen the church by clarifying the biblical principles that undergird leadership, particularly within the roles of ruling and teaching elders. Alongside a theological exploration of biblical leadership, the book also offers a practical counsel for men who are discerning a call to the eldership.
E. Todd Buchner international director, Christians Teaching Christians
A winsome and practical little volume by a ruling elder with decades of service shepherding Christ's sheep in the local congregation. The sections on the qualifications for an elder and then how those qualities are to be lived out in real life are particularly helpful. The chapters are well written and accompanied by engaging anecdotes.
Mark Bube ruling elder, Calvary OPC in Glenside, Pa.; general secretary emeritus, OPC's Committee on Foreign Missions
As the Grassmarket Press series continues to provide introductory volumes to Reformed and Presbyterian faith an d practice, I am delighted they have produced this book on the ruling eldership by my longtime friend and Crown & Covenant editor, Drew Gordon. As a writer and elder with many years of experience, Drew provides his readers with keen insight into the needed character and practical work of the layman who is willing to voluntarily give his life in service as a ruling elder. His book is a wonderful companion volume to the Grassmarket book Household of Faith, which introduces Presbyterianism.
Barry York president and professor of pastoral theology and homiletics, Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary
