This page provides resources, contacts and assistance for ruling elders in The Presbyterian Church in Canada.

How to Order Resources

Browse, search for and order resources through our online order form. You can also call 1-800-619-7301 ext. 331 or send an email.

This PDF contains the resource Equipping Elders, a compilation of “For Elders” and “Equipping For… Elders” publications that have been produced quarterly since 1997. In most cases, the articles are copied directly into this resource; in other instances, they are edited or parts are selected and placed into appropriate sections. It is available for purchase as a binder with hole-punched sheets for $23.

Equipping Elders Cover

Clergy Resources for Session Meetings and Retreats is a compilation of Session starters and workshops designed to answer common questions about Session meetings.

Clergy Resources for Session Meetings and Retreats 2017

This handbook was written primarily for members of the board of managers to help them understand their work in the church. However, ministers and members of Session will also benefit from reading it. The handbook is available for purchase for $3.

Board of Managers Handbook Spring 2019

This resource has been prepared to provide introductory information about discerning a call to eldership—to discern one’s own call or to nominate others who might be called. The hope is that this resource might encourage readers to learn more about the role of elder and help start conversations about becoming a church elder.

Becoming an Elder in the PCC

The Spirit Prays Within Us is a prayer workbook that is designed to help ruling elders explore the practice of prayer in their role as congregational leaders. Knowing that our experiences and expectations of prayer are many and varied, this workbook offers suggestions and exercises to help elders expand the ways to lead prayer in pastoral encounters.

The Spirit Prays Within Us: A Prayer Workbook for Ruling Elders

Featured Resources

2021 Book of Forms
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The Role of Presbytery (featuring an Assessor Elders Session starter)
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Ministry Options During Financial Constraint (featuring a “Do we have a quorum?” Session starter)
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Meaning of Membership (featuring a “Being part of a denomination” Session starter)
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Image of arrow pointing downChurch Architecture Committee
Image of arrow pointing downFees for use of church facilities
Image of arrow pointing downSession and the Board of Managers
Image of arrow pointing downSession and the Finance and Maintenance Committee
Image of arrow pointing downUsing and Maintaining Church Facilities
Image of arrow pointing downAnnual Congregational Meetings
Image of arrow pointing downAnnual General Meetings – Rethinking them
Image of arrow pointing downCongregational Budget – can it be amended at the annual meeting?
Image of arrow pointing downCongregational Meetings – Who can call them?
Image of arrow pointing downProxy Votes – Are they permitted at church meetings?
Image of arrow pointing downIntercultural skills for ruling elders: Tools for inclusion
Image of arrow pointing downMeaning of Membership
Image of arrow pointing downMembers – Receiving them
Image of arrow pointing downMembership – What difference does it make?
Image of arrow pointing downMembers – Seeking, Preparing and Admitting them
Image of arrow pointing downNatural Church Development
Image of arrow pointing downNurturing Faith
Image of arrow pointing downThe practicing congregation – Imagining a new old church
Image of arrow pointing downPresbyterian Questions and Answers
Image of arrow pointing downRenewal of the Church
Image of arrow pointing downSpiritual community: The renewing of the church
Image of arrow pointing downTaking your church to the next level: What got you here won’t get you there
Image of arrow pointing downDiscerning the call of God to be an elder
Image of arrow pointing downElection of elders as a slate?
Image of arrow pointing downElection Process overview
Image of arrow pointing downOrdination vows
Image of arrow pointing downPreviously ordained elders – How are the elected to the session?
Image of arrow pointing downResources for Sessions
Image of arrow pointing downSession – Creating a balanced team
Image of arrow pointing downTerm-service – what happens when an elder’s term comes to an end?
Image of arrow pointing downTerm Service transitions
Image of arrow pointing downTerm Service - Survey Results
Image of arrow pointing downBarrier Act
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Image of arrow pointing downGovernance Reflection
Image of arrow pointing downOrdination vows
Image of arrow pointing downPresbyterian Governance
Image of arrow pointing downTheology and Polity – Law & Order
Image of arrow pointing downTheology and Polity – Christocracy or Democracy
Image of arrow pointing downTheology and Polity – Tyranny and Sin
Image of arrow pointing downTheology of Polity: Truth and Justice
Image of arrow pointing downMatthew 18 and reconciliation
Image of arrow pointing downReview of Ministry – Part 1
Image of arrow pointing downReview of Ministry – Part 2
Image of arrow pointing downLeading with Care
Image of arrow pointing downPolice Records Check
Image of arrow pointing downContinuing Education at the end of a ministry
Image of arrow pointing downContinuing Education – How much input does a session have?
Image of arrow pointing downContinuing Education Funds - What happens to them when a minister leaves a congregation?
Image of arrow pointing downWhat happens to con-ed allowance funds when minister leaves pastoral charge?
Image of arrow pointing downIntermission – What is it?
Image of arrow pointing downMinister in Association
Image of arrow pointing downRetired Ministers and offering pastoral care
Image of arrow pointing downRetirement
Image of arrow pointing downStated Supply or Interim Ministry
Image of arrow pointing downUtilities
Image of arrow pointing downVacation for ministers – Part 1
Image of arrow pointing downVacation for ministers – Part 2
Image of arrow pointing downThe Spirit Prays Within Us: A Prayer Workbook for Ruling Elders
Image of arrow pointing downCommunication between session and congregation
Image of arrow pointing downNon-resident Ministers and Pastoral Care
Image of arrow pointing downPastoral Care and the Sanctuary
Image of arrow pointing downPastoral Care and the Feeding of Sheep
Image of arrow pointing downPastoral Care and the Elder’s District
Image of arrow pointing downPastoral Care and Ways of Visiting
Image of arrow pointing downPastoral Care and the Value of Visiting
Image of arrow pointing downWelcoming elders 1
Image of arrow pointing downYoung People
Image of arrow pointing downAdjournment - Does it need to be seconded?
Image of arrow pointing downBeing an Example
Image of arrow pointing downClerk of Session duties
Image of arrow pointing downConfidentiality
Image of arrow pointing downConsent agenda
Image of arrow pointing downCovenant of Conduct
Image of arrow pointing downHealthy debate
Image of arrow pointing downModerating Meetings
Image of arrow pointing downPrayer-full Meetings
Image of arrow pointing downQuorum?
Image of arrow pointing downWho are we to make decisions for the Congregation?
Image of arrow pointing downMinutes Template
Image of arrow pointing downMinutes, Recording them electronically
Image of arrow pointing downBeing part of a denomination
Image of arrow pointing downCongregational statistical forms – how long do we keep them?
Image of arrow pointing downStudy and Report – What and Why
Image of arrow pointing downGeneral Assembly commissioner – what does one do?
Image of arrow pointing downGeneral Assembly Commissioner
Image of arrow pointing downMinister performance - Who is responsible for assessing it?
Image of arrow pointing downPresbytery Representative Elder
Image of arrow pointing downPresbyter Representative elder - May a non-elected elder serve as one?
Image of arrow pointing downSession – Presbytery Relationship
Image of arrow pointing downEncouraging Generosity in Ministry
Image of arrow pointing downFunds – setting one up
Image of arrow pointing downGenerosity, Encouraging
Image of arrow pointing downGenerosity, Growing
Image of arrow pointing downGaming industry grants – may churches apply for them?
Image of arrow pointing downMinistry Options During Financial Constraint
Image of arrow pointing downMoney, Talking about it
Image of arrow pointing downPresbyterians Sharing – Tax or Opportunity
Image of arrow pointing downSession and stewardship
Image of arrow pointing downStewardship of Finances
Image of arrow pointing downThe Beauty of Duty
Image of arrow pointing downTrust Deed Template – Book of Forms, Appendix C
Image of arrow pointing downTrustees & Trust Deeds Resource
Image of arrow pointing downOrder of Worship – who has input
Image of arrow pointing downPrayer and Calvin
Image of arrow pointing downSacrament of Baptism and Calvin
Image of arrow pointing downSacrament of Baptism and Grandparents
Image of arrow pointing downSacrament of the Lord’s Supper and Calvin
Image of arrow pointing downWorship - The conduct and content
Image of arrow pointing downWorship - The hours and forms