The Council of Houston

I was privileged to observe the annual presbytery meeting of the Confederation of Reformed Evangelicals yesterday. Among the more memorable moments: our church was approved as a member church, which means we are now voting members of the presbytery.

It was interesting to see the politics of the thing, and refreshing to watch Christian men passionately discuss various aspects of our association without losing their tempers or their friendships. It was very clear that some churches had more vision and agenda than others, but all of it was presented with the good of the Christian faith in mind. The novelty of watching men live out their convictions was quite exhilarating.

The experience also gave me another perspective on eldership. Far from being simply a position of shepherd, it is obvious that elders are required to be men of purpose and insight into the needs of the church universal, and are required by their office to correctly discharge their duties to both their congregations and the Body of Christ. Dovetails nicely into the first two tapes of the Bahnsen series concerning: 1) the necessity of elders, and 2) the characteristics of elders.