In 1987 there were 1090 teaching elders in Canada. The Session is concerned with the life-style of the congregation, its fellowship life and outreach. The collective role of the elders acting together as Session is greater than the sum of the individual elders in their pastoral work. At the Reformation, the office of the elder was given a key role with ministers and elders working in partnership as leaders of congregations. The elder's role, therefore, is not to be limited to Session meetings and district work, to pastoral concern for the members of a congregation.
Elders share with the minister in the pastoral oversight and leadership of the church.
To help build up the life of the church. To care for our church, its people and its mission To develop new service of ministry within our church To make effective and strong our elders meeting. To provide wider experience and insight in matters related to the things of the faith. To support others who also have these responsibilities, so that the elders may work together as a team. An elder should be a committed Christian person' An elder should be a person of sound judgement'.