Danny Olinger, General Secretary of the CCE, talks about ruling elders and Christian Education. The OPC cherished the work of Christian Education and quickly developed specific principles of Christian education and pedagogy to guide its work. Those principles are available here and will provided a stimulating starting point for the continuing importance of Christian Education in the churches.

Danny’s three book recommendation for ruling elders are,

• R. B. Kuiper, The Glorious Body of Christ, (Banner of Truth)
• Edwin H. Rian, The Presbyterian Conflict.
• John Calvin, The Institutes of Christian Religion.

A Program For Christian Education (1945) - Available here
Outline
I. Subjects
A. Covenant subjects
1. Communicant
2. Non-communicant
B. Non-covenant subjects

II. Aims
A. General
1. Noetic: knowing the doctrine
a. Bible history
b. Theology
c. Ethics
d. Church government and usages
2. Experiential: adorning the doctrine
a. Saving faith
b. Growth in grace
(1) Worship (inc. Sabbath Observance)
(2) Obedience
(3) Use of the means of grace
(4) Realization of the fruit of the Spirit
(5) Christian witnessing and service
B. Applied
1. With respect to covenant relation
2. With respect to age, ability, background

III. Method
A. Requirements of method
1. Sound in principle
a. Scriptural
b. Pedagogically and psychologically sound
2. Efficient in operation
a. Conserving time
b. Utilizing best means available
B. Specific applied methods
1. Specific teaching types
2. Aids to teaching.
3. Expressional activities

IV. Program
Problems of integration
A. Chiefly designed for covenant subjects
1. Guided parental instruction
2. Pastor's instruction of covenant youth
3. Teacher and leadership training program
B. Chiefly designed for non-covenant subjects
1. Sunday Bible school
2. Weekday classes
3. Club program
4. Evangelistic meetings and propaganda
C. Dual-purpose programs
1. Weekday religious education
2. Vacation Bible school
3. Summer Bible conference
4. Young People's Society
5. Home Study programs

The Use of Pictorial Representations of Christ in the Work of Christian Education

Available here.

Rev. Andy Wilson and Rev. Russell Hamilton talk about The Marrow of Modern Divinity, an old book that wrestles with the free offer of Jesus Christ to sinners, and questions of law and assurance. This lively old book continues to be relevant to ruling elders in helping people with questions of faith, freedom from the law, legalism, and assurance. Gospel preaching is vital to gospel churches.

Further Reading on the Marrow

• Edward Fisher, The Marrow of Modern Divinity, (Christian Focus, 2016). This edition includes explanatory notes by Thomas Boston, an introduction by Philip Ryken, and an historical introduction by William Vandoodewaard.
• Andy Wilson, The Marrow of The Marrow of Modern Divinity (Expanded Edition): A Simplified Version of Edward Fisher's 17th Century Classic.
• Sinclair Ferguson, The Whole Christ: Legalism, Antinomianism, and Gospel Assurance―Why the Marrow Controversy Still Matters. (Crossway, 2016)
• Donald Macleod, From the Marrow Men to the Moderates, Scottish Theology 1700–1800. (Christian Focus, 2023)
• William VanDoodewaard, The Marrow Controversy and Seceder Tradition: Atonement, Saving Faith, and the Gospel Offer in Scotland (1718–1799). (Reformation Heritage Books, 2014)
• David C. Lachman, The Marrow Controversy 1781-1723: An Historical and Theological Analysis (Rutherford Studies in Historical Theology)

Andy’s three books

• Harrison Perkins, Reformed Covenant Theology: A Systematic Introduction (Lexham Academic, 2024)
• John Murray, Redemption, Accomplished and Applied
• Richard Sibbes, Glorious Freedom: An Exposition, Puritan Paperback (Banner of Truth Trust; 2nd ed. edition, 2024)

Russell’s three books

• Richard Sibbes, The Bruised Reed, (Banner of Truth Trust; 2nd ed. edition, 2021)
• Timothy Keller, Walking with God through Pain and Suffering, (Penguin Books; Reprint edition 2015)
• Thomas Boston, Human Nature in its Fourfold State, (Banner of Truth; Reprint edition, 1964)

In this podcast Anneke Fesko talks about how ruling elders can encourage a pastor’s wife. Anneke was hired a little over two years ago for the newly created position of Care Coordinator for Ministers’ Wives and works for the OPC Committee on Ministerial Care. (Committee of Walking Hugs)

Anneke is the wife to John, an ordained OPC minister and theology professor at Reformed Theological Seminary in Jackson, Mississippi. They were married 22 years ago while John was a church planter for the OPC. They have three children, two sons in high school and a daughter in elementary school, and live in Madison, Mississippi.

Ginger Dennison, wife of the late OPC pastor Charlie Dennison says,
“Pastors' wives…will sometimes agree on one thing: they are no different than anyone else in the congregation. They have no special responsibilities, no different obligations, no uniqueness. In fact, when asked what it's like to be a pastor's wife, they will reply, "I'm NOT a pastor's wife! I'm just a wife, no matter what my husband does for a living.” The Uniqueness and Challenges of the Minister's Wife, Ordained Servant Online, May 2010. Available here.

More Resources

• New Horizons, mailed to every OPC member and available online here.
• OPC, Committee on Ministerial Care.

Anneke’s three recommendations for every Ruling Elder.

• Patricia E. Clawson and Diane L. Olinger, eds., Choosing the Good Portion: Women of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church, 2016. Available here.
• Megan Hill, A Place to Belong: Learning to Love the Local Church, Crossway, 2020.
• Dale Carnegie, How to Win Friends and Influence People. First published 1936, Simon & Schuster.

Thanks for listening to the Podcast.