absentee elders?

[QueenEsther]

How does that work?

Is it ok?

Is there something wrong with having absentee elders?

If it is wrong, how is it wrong?

 

[JonathanHunt]

One simple angle:

If an elder is to rule, to teach/preach, to shepherd, to warn, to guide, to observe, to administer ordinances -

How can he do ANY of these if he IS NOT THERE?

JH

 

[toddpedlar]

How does that work?

Is it ok?

Is there something wrong with having absentee elders?

If it is wrong, how is it wrong?

Elders that aren't present to teach, admonish, exhort and encourage the flock are no elders at all. Why would it be (in any sense of the word) okay for elders to be absent? I presume you're meaning perpetually absent...

 

[Peter]

If I understand the issue correctly, I think this is usually done for a temporary period in extraordinary circumstances. If something happens to the ordinary elders of a church in order to prevent the session from dissolving the presbytery will transfer the office of a number of other elders to this session. I'm unsure of the particulars but I think this is what they'll generally do.

 

[QueenEsther]

In this particular case the Elder moved three hours away for three years and was still an elder, an absentee elder. It doesn't make any sense to me but this was at a reformed church in a reformed denomination.