Honorary Elder

Definition and Meaning

The term honorary elder refers broadly to a person who holds the title of elder without being an active elder, that is, an elder who actually takes part in the administration of the church and in church government (ruling the church and exercising discipline). In Korean churches the term is used in two principal senses:

• As a respectful designation for an elder who has completed active service because of age limits or resignation, that is, a retired elder
• For cases in which the title of elder alone is conferred, without formal election and ordination, in recognition of a person's service to the church

The two cases differ in nature, and denominational constitutions accordingly treat them differently.

Biblical and Historical Background

In Scripture, the term elder first appears in reference to the leaders of the people of Israel in the Old Testament (Exodus 3:16). In the New Testament, Paul and Barnabas ordained elders in every church (Acts 14:23), and believers are exhorted to honor elders who rule well (1 Timothy 5:17). During the Reformation, John Calvin established the elder as a lay office that governs the church together with ministers, and this became the foundation of the elder system in Presbyterianism. Scripture contains no provisions concerning a retired or honorary title of elder. The designation of honorary elder arose within modern church institutions such as mandatory retirement ages.

Practice in Korean Churches

In Presbyterian churches, an elder is elected by the congregational meeting, passes an examination administered by the presbytery, receives ordination, and then becomes a member of the session. Several of the Korean denominations that bear the name Presbyterian Church in Korea set the mandatory retirement age for active elders at 70. Upon reaching this age, an elder becomes a retired elder and no longer has a vote on the session. Some denominational constitutions also provide that an elder who has served one church for many years may be designated an elder emeritus by resolution of the congregational meeting. By contrast, the honorary title of elder conferred without ordination often has no basis in the church constitution. For this reason, concerns have reportedly been raised that the practice blurs the order of church offices.

The Korean Methodist Church, Holiness churches, and Pentecostal denominations also maintain the office of elder and have retirement-age regulations. In these denominations as well, elders who have completed their service are called elders emeriti or retired elders, although the titles used and the forms of recognition vary from one denomination to another. Baptist churches follow congregational polity, in which the congregation governs the church, and many of them have ordained deacons rather than elders as their principal office. The term honorary elder is therefore rarely used among them.

Many churches honor retired elders by presenting them together during retirement services or ordination and installation services, and retired elders are often treated as senior members at church events.