The Eldership at Chalmers Church

Prior to 1995, in keeping with the policy of the Presbyterian Church in Canada, all elders chosen by the Chalmers Congregation were installed for life. However, commencing in 1995 we adopted a scheme of term service for elders. From that time on each elder when elected serves a six year term. The scheme provided for the election of four elders every two years. Elders completing a term would be eligible to serve additional terms if re-elected by the congregation. At the time that we introduced this change it was agreed that those elders elected prior to 1995 would continue in their life terms unless they voluntarily chose to make themselves available for a term appointment.

The Chalmers Congregation ordinarily elects elders every two years in odd numbered years.

The men and women chosen by the congregation to serve as elders are, when initially elected, set apart by ordination for their work of ruling in the church. They share with the Minister in the leadership, pastoral care and spiritual oversight of the congregation. The elders choose one of their number to serve as their Representative Elder to the Presbytery. The Minister and the Representative Elder are the congregations representation in the Presbytery and the Synod. The Chalmers Congregation is a congregation within the Presbytery of Hamilton which in turn is one of the presbyteries in the Synod of Southwestern Ontario.