teaching elder

noun

1. a minister in a Presbyterian church.

Word History and Origins

Origin of teaching elder¹

An Americanism dating back to 1635–45

Example Sentences

Over the summer, Mr. Brunson, a North Carolina-based teaching elder with the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, was moved from jail to house arrest.

From Wall Street Journal

The minister�a teaching elder rather than a ruling elder�is the nonvoting moderator of the session, but technically works for the regional presbytery.

From Time Magazine Archive

I. In the beginning it is mentioned, that on the evening of the day after my arrival I met with the five brethren who laboured in the Baptist church at Stuttgart, that is with the teaching elder or president, the three other elders, and the brother who acted as deacon.

From Project Gutenberg

At the close of the year that was now done again, when the considerable number who had left it on my account, were noticed by the city director, who then sent for the teaching elder or president of the Baptist church, who told him all about me, and that I had occasioned this business.

From Project Gutenberg

Whereas there is generally but one teaching elder in a church, upon his death or removal, it is the work and duty of the ruling elders to preserve the church in peace and unity, to take care of the continuation of its public ordinances, to prevent irregularities in any persons or parties among them, and to give all necessary aid and advice in the choice and call of some other meet person to be their pastor, in the room of the deceased or removed.

From Project Gutenberg