Recommended General Resources for Elders
I created this resource for my elders and I’ll share it here too. These are just general resources about the office of elder — I haven’t included books, etc. that focus on specific elements of the office like home visits, counselling, or church polity.
Books
The Elder: Today’s Ministry Rooted in All of Scripture, Cornelis Van Dam. Phillipsburg: P &R, 2009. Paperback, 283 pages.
An excellent biblical study of the office of elder, with many practical pieces of wisdom scattered throughout. Written by a retired OT professor from the Canadian Reformed Theological Seminary. A full review can be found here.
Book Review: The Elder: Today’s Ministry Rooted in All of Scripture
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The Elder and His Work, David Dickson. Phillipsburg: P & R, 2004. Paperback, 129 pages.
Even though it’s an older book (first appearing in 1883), this one has retained its value over the years. If you’re going to read just one book on the eldership, make it this one. It’s not long, plus it’s both practical and biblical. Dickson was a Presbyterian, but it’s not difficult to transfer what he writes over to a continental Reformed context.
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With a Shepherd’s Heart: Reclaiming the Pastoral Office of Elder, John R. Sittema. Grandville: Reformed Fellowship Inc., 1996. Paperback, 271 pages.
In every church I’ve served, the elders have studied this book. It’s a classic.
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Called to Serve: Essays for Elders and Deacons, ed. Michael Brown. Grandville: Reformed Fellowship Inc., 2008. Paperback, 274 pages.
This volume is multi-author, with all the writers being pastors/professors who (at that time) hailed from the United Reformed Churches of North America. Tends to be more on the biblical/theological side, but there are many practical pointers and discussions as well.
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Faithful and Fruitful: Essays for Elders and Deacons, eds. William Boekestein and Steven Swets. Grandville: Reformed Fellowship Inc., 2019. Paperback, 306 pages.
A follow-up to Called to Serve with much more practical content. Our elders are currently studying this one together.
Websites
–The online edition of a resource created by CanRC pastor Rev. D. Agema.
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https://headhearthand.org/blog/2011/01/06/the-shepherd-leader/
–A helpful blog post by Dr. David Murray on what it means to lead the sheep, applies to pastors and elders.
