New! What is a Ruling Elder? (PDF)
As part of the Reformed tradition, The Presbyterian Church in Canada (PCC) ordains both teaching elders (known as clergy and ministers) and ruling elders (leaders elected by the congregation). Read this tool for a one-page summary of what a ruling elder is and why we have ruling elders.

New! 10 Ways to Revive a Dying Church (PDF)
You don’t need a ton of proof to know that more and more churches are struggling to survive. It seems churches that are in this predicament have one of two options: revive or die. There are a lot of books, seminars, and workshops given on how to go about reviving a church. However, there is not one cookie cutter, full-proof, and effective strategy in reviving a church. Having said that, it doesn’t mean that it is impossible. There are many examples of struggling churches that have successfully revived the congregation, increased the health of the church, and expanded their ministry.

Now, before you go and buy another book, or attend another conference, or start selling off your pews for coffee tables and chairs, let me make a few suggestions. These suggestions are for the people in the church because you are the church. Pastors come and go, but it is the congregants, parishioners, and members that make up the identity, flavor, and, ultimately, affect the future direction of a congregation.

New! The Missional Church (PDF)
“Missional church” has become a catch-all phase for trendy movements in church growth, evangelism and seeker-driven movements in recent years. This tool clarifies the vision and goals of the missional church.

New! Sage Advice for Ruling Elders (PDF)
Many people mistakenly think that Robert’s Rules of Order is our rule book. Although there may be some similarities, the Presbyterian Church in Canada follows The Book of Forms, which represents 140 years of church experience in Canada. This tool provides more sage advice such as this information from director of the Elders' Institute, Roberta Clare.

Congregational Change: How to Avoid Common Pitfalls (PDF)
Whether a congregation is amalgamating, forming a cluster ministry or joining a multi-point charge, how it prepares for change will greatly determine the success of the new venture.

Here is a list of things to watch out for when tackling change. This list was prepared by regional staff person John-Peter Smit. Although the list refers specifically to amalgamations, it can be applied to any process of reformulating church ministry.

Presbyterian Lingo (PDF)
Mark Tremblay sent this humorous letter to the editor of the Presbyterian Record to show how church language, intended to clarify, has inadvertently excluded people.

I want to examine cum nota some of our language seriatim, anent its archaic character. I do so ex parte, with no apology for the other side. I make bona fi de proposals apud acta, pointing out the humour and inconsistencies with our labels. I offer some proposals in hunc effectum, not de facto but rather simpliciter.
It is my hope that we understand prima facie the need to reform our language per se and send down the proposals inter alia to sessions and presbyteries for consideration and ipso facto deal with the matter of language de novo. My committee of one recommends these changes to be made mutatis mutandis. Of course, my ad hoc committee of one shall be judged to have acted ultra vires, de jure.

Submitted simpliciter, but respectfully, Mark Tremblay

Mark and the Elders’ Institute would like to challenge you to match a list of Presbyterian lingo with their definitions. Print this tool and be the first to submit the correct answers to the Elders’ Institute to receive a prize.

Inclusive Tools for Ruling Elders - Part One: How to Identify Sabotage Tactics (PDF)
A well-known and successful strategy to retain newcomers is to include them in the events, activities, groups and the decision-making structures of the church. However, intercultural groups, including churches, are vulnerable to intentional and unintentional saboteurs. Here are some of most common sabotage tactics.

Inclusive Tools for Ruling Elders - Part Two: Strategies to Improve Communication in Intercultural Settings(PDF)
Many of these strategies also serve as good pastoral skills and can be employed in a variety of discussions and intercultural encounters. Put these tools to the test: Select any two strategies and put them into practice them in your next church meeting.

Ruling Elders Responsibilities (PDF)
The session is responsible for “establishing good order and providing pastoral care of the congregation.” ~ The Book of Forms, Section 109. Read this tool for a one-page summary of session responsibilities regarding leadership, pastoral care and oversight.

Top Ten Reasons Why Presbyterian Government Works (PDF)
10. Something old
9.   Something new
8.   Something borrowed
7.   Something blue
6.   Reformed and reforming
5.   We are what we are
4.   Lean and mean
3.   A house with many rooms / a coat of many colours
2.   Not a democracy
1.   Scriptural

A Conduct Covenant in Session Meetings (PDF)
We are called and ordained as ruling and teaching elders to come together to discern God's will for our church. We need to recognize that sometimes we bring the baggage of how the world likes to operate with us; there are times, in the spirit of competition, that winning our debate becomes more important than discerning God's will. With this conduct covenant, we acknowledge this and commit to listening and debating in a Christ-like manner so that God's will is done.

Spiritual Needs at End-of-Life (PDF)
“When cure is not possible, care is….” One key tool to facilitate a “good” death is spiritual reminiscence, which includes encouraging storytelling, letting them know they will be remembered, reminding them of their value and affirming legacy. Read tips and tools for teaching and ruling elders and spiritual care teams who address spiritual needs at end-of-life.

Pastoral Care Visiting (PDF)
Be prepared. Try not to go on a visit cold, although I am aware this is not always possible. However, I trust you will have prayed about your visit before you cross the doorway. When making pastoral care visits, be sure to keep your "Be’s in your bonnet"  – not only in spring. Read this tool to learn ten more helpful "Be’s."

The Session and Congregation as Emotional Systems (PDF)
Both teaching and ruling elders are aware that congregational leadership is complex. Here are some tools for understanding the emotional systems underlying sessions and congregations.

When a problem becomes a "Problem" (PDF)
Every congregation faces challenges. Sometimes these challenges become problems that cause conflict. Try to manage conflict in the initial stages to avoid scarring, which may detrimentally affect a congregation’s life for many years. Here are some tools for recognizing the various stages of conflict and for managing conflict effectively.

Discerning God's Will (PDF)
How do we discern God’s will in our lives and the church? How do we know which path to take when we are confronted with dissenting voices and differing perspectives? Here are some basic principles of Presbyterian polity that may help us understand the difficult process of distinguishing God’s will from our own.

Choosing Curricula for Faith Communities (PDF)
When choosing a curriculum for Bible study, Sunday School, retreats or other educational programs, here are some questions to ask yourself before you decide.

Leading Successful Bible Studies (PDF)
Well-formulated questions can spark conversations that we carry with us long after the Bible study ends. Here are some questions to consider before heading off to lead Bible study.

Reaching Consensus (PDF)
Reaching consensus can sometimes be a difficult task in groups or committees of all kinds. But nowhere is agreement more important than in groups that do the work of the church. Here are some tools to achieve consensus in your committee work.

Helping Committees Work as Effective Teams (PDF)
Since most of the work in our church is done by committee, working together as a team is very important. Here are some tools to increase your group's effectiveness.

Writing Prayers for Public Worship (PDF)
Writing relevant, engaging prayers for public worship can seem a daunting task. This resource provides some practical suggestions for turning your heartfelt prayers into Prayers for the People.

Praying Aloud in Public Worship (PDF)
If this is the first time you have written your own prayer and offered it in public worship, here are some pointers to ensure your comfort in the delivery of your prayers.

Reading in Public Worship (PDF)
Reading Scripture in public worship is an important moment. Scripture that is read well can prepare listeners to hear more and enable valuable contributions to the shape and content of worship.

How to Participate in a Debate on a Motion (PDF)
All courts of our church deal with the business before it through debate—without a formal motion to discuss, we are merely having a conversation. Learn more on how to deal with business through sound and proper debate.

Five Tips on How Not to Debate a Motion (PDF)
What constitutes a strong argument? It is useful to understand some of the common lines of argumentation that weaken an argument. Learn more on how to avoid the five worst mistakes.

How to Prepare a Committee Report (PDF)
What can you expect to find in a committee report? To fulfil its mandate, a committee must report to the presbytery, describe its findings and present any resolutions. This is how it's done!

How to Write a Motion (PDF)
A motion puts a matter "on the floor" of the court so that it can then be discussed. However, it is extremely important to present a motion that is clear, complete and debatable—and this is not always easy.

What Should Be in the Minutes? (PDF)
The Book of Forms provides an outline of what should be in the minutes. However, taking minutes often causes some confusion so here are a few guidelines.

What is the Book of Forms? (PDF)
What kind of book is the Book of Forms? Is it a procedures manual? Is it the Presbyterian version of canon law? How does the Book of Forms describe its purpose? Here are some insights into the Book of Forms.