Jonathan Cruse talks about how Ruling Elders can foster and energize congregational singing.

Further Reading
Resources by Jonathan

• Jonathan Landry Cruse, What Happens When We Worship, Reformation Heritage Books, 2020.
• Jonathan Landry Cruse, “What Every Elder needs to Know About Congregational Singing” in Faithful and Fruitful, Essays for Elders and Deacons, Eds. William Boekestein and Steven Swets, Reformed Fellowship Inc. 2019.

Books mentioned in the podcast

• Jonty Rhodes, Reformed Worship (Blessings of the Faith), P&R Publishing, 2023.
• Ligon Duncan, Does God Care How We Worship? P&R Publishing, 2020.

Jonathan’s three recommendations for every Ruling Elder

1. Thomas Watson, The Godly Man’s Picture, Drawn with a Scripture Pencil, or, Some Characteristic Marks of a Man Who is Going to Heaven, Banner of Truth Trust.
2. David Dickson, The Elder and His Work.
3. The Westminster Directory for Public Worship (The Westminster Directory for Public Worship discussed by Sinclair B. Ferguson and Mark Dever is currently out of print.

Two examples of John Wesley's Directions for Singing.
IV. Sing lustily and with good courage. Beware of singing as if you were half dead, or half asleep; but lift up your voice with strength. Be no more afraid of your voice now, nor more ashamed of its being heard, than when you sung the songs of Satan.

VII. Above all sing spiritually. Have an eye to God in every word you sing. Aim at pleasing him more than yourself, or any other creature. In order to this attend strictly to the sense of what you sing, and see that your Heart is not carried away with the sound, but offered to God continually; so shall your singing be such as the Lord will approve of here, and reward when he cometh in the clouds of heaven.

What can ruling elders do to promote better preaching?
On this issue of the Ruling Elder podcast, John Currie, OPC pastor and Professor and Dean of Pastoral Theology, Westminster Theological Seminary, Philadelphia, discusses why this is so important and gives practical suggestions on how and when to do it, and, just as importantly, how not to do it.

The OPC Form of Government says “[Ruling Elders] should have particular concern for the doctrine and conduct of the minister of the Word and help him in his labors.” (Fg. X.3)

Several resources are also available online at Ordained Servant.

• “What Ruling Elders Can Do to Promote Better Preaching.” (Edwin J. Kreykes) 11:2 (Apr. 2002): 40-42. https://opc.org/OS/pdf/OSV11N2.pdf
• “How to Assess a Sermon: A Checklist for Ruling Elders.” (William Shishko) 12:2 (Apr. 2003): 43-44. https://opc.org/OS/pdf/OSV12N2.pdf
• “What Is Faithful Preaching?” (Alan D. Strange) 27 (2018): 25-30. https://opc.org/os.html?article_id=686

Further Reading

• T. David Gordon, Why Johnny Can’t Preach: The Media Have Shaped the Messengers, (P&R Publishing; 2009)
• Christopher J Gordon, “How to Evaluate Your Pastor” in Faithful and Fruitful: Essays for Elders and Deacons, eds. William Boekestein and Steven Swets, (Reformed Fellowship Inc. 2019, pp. 181-193).
• Christopher Ash, Listen Up: A Practical Guide to Listening to Sermons, (The Good Book Company, 2009)
• John Angell James, An Earnest Ministry: The Want of the Times, (Banner of Truth Trust)
• Charles Spurgeon, “The Necessity of Ministerial Progress” in Lectures to My Students, (Banner of Truth Trust)

John’s recommneded reading for Ruling Elders

• John Calvin, Institutes of Christian Religion
• R. B. Kuiper, The Glorious Body of Christ: A Scriptural Appreciation of the One Holy Church, (Banner of Truth Trust)
• Harry Reeder, From Embers to a Flame: How God Can Revitalize Your Church, (P&R Publishing, 2008)

David Watson is a ruling elder in Ballyclare Evangelical Presbyterian Church, in Co. Antrim, N. Ireland. The EPC, (Ireland), is a church with which the OPC has full ecclesiastical fellowship. Stephen Tracey grew up in that congregation and is delighted to talk to this faithful and beloved friend and mentor as he reflects on eighty years of life in one congregation, and current issues in church life in N. Ireland.

In the podcast reference is made to a short book, A Good Work, Reflections on the Eldership in Everyday Life and Ministry. This book is not available in the USA.

David's three recommended books for ruling elders are:
The Westminster Confession of Faith.
Louis Berkhof, Systematic Theology.
J. I. Packer, A Quest for Godliness, The Puritan Vision of the Christian Life.