Term of Office for Elders

Definition and Meaning

The term of office for elders is the period during which an elder actually holds and carries out duties in the church, that is, the period of active service (simu, 視務). Korean Presbyterianism regards the eldership as a perpetual office (hangjonjik, 恒存職, an office that must always exist in the church), understood as an office that, once conferred, is held for life. Elders serve until the mandatory retirement age, after which they become retired elders or elders emeriti.

A procedure in which the congregation is periodically asked whether an elder should continue in active service is called a vote of confidence for active service (or simply a vote of confidence). Some churches have adopted this procedure.

Biblical and Historical Background

The New Testament records that the apostles ordained elders in every church (Acts 14:23; Titus 1:5), but it sets no term of office. Consequently, the question of terms has been left to the polity of individual denominations and churches.

During the Reformation, the church in Geneva under John Calvin is known to have elected its elders anew each year. Thereafter, traditions diverged by region.

• Scottish Presbyterianism: a tradition of ordaining elders for life became established.
• Reformed churches of continental Europe, such as those in the Netherlands: a system of rotating terms of several years has been maintained.
• Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) (PCUSA): elders serve for fixed terms.

Practice in the Korean Church

• Presbyterian churches: The constitutions of the major Presbyterian denominations, such as the Presbyterian Church of Korea (Tonghap) and the General Assembly of Presbyterian Church in Korea (Hapdong), generally set the mandatory retirement age for active elders at 70. The Tonghap constitution reportedly permits a vote of confidence for active service to be held periodically at the congregational meeting. An elder who fails to obtain the congregation's confidence generally retains the office of elder but enters inactive status and no longer serves as a member of the session.
• Term systems in individual churches: Some churches provide in their church bylaws for terms of six to seven years or for votes of confidence.
• Proponents argue that such systems increase the accountability of officers, prevent authority from remaining concentrated in one person for too long, and facilitate generational transition.
• Opponents argue that such systems are inconsistent with the nature of the eldership as a perpetual office and that the votes can heighten conflict within the church.
• Methodist and Holiness churches: The Korean Methodist Church and the Korea Evangelical Holiness Church also have the office of elder. They reportedly operate, as a rule, on the basis of a retirement age rather than separate terms of office.
• Baptist and other congregationally governed churches: Many Baptist churches, including those of the Korea Baptist Convention, have traditionally not had the office of elder. Instead, ordained deacons fill a similar role, and specific terms are set by each church in its bylaws.