Changes

An '''Elder''' in the [[Methodist Church]] — sometimes called a ''Presbyter'' or ''Minister'' — is someone who has been [[ordained]] by a [[Bishop]] to the ministry of Word, [[Sacrament]], Order, and Service.<ref>''The Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church''.  Nashville: The United Methodist Publishing House, 1984</ref>  Their responsibilities are to preach and teach, preside at the celebration of the [[sacraments]], administer the Church through pastoral guidance, and lead the congregations under their care in service ministry to the world.  The ''[[Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church]]'' states that

An '''Elder''' in the [[Methodist Church]] — sometimes called a ''Presbyter'' or ''Minister'' — is someone who has been [[ordained]] by a [[Bishop]] to the ministry of Word, [[Sacrament]], Order, and Service.<ref>''The Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church''.  Nashville: The United Methodist Publishing House, 1984</ref>  Their responsibilities are to preach and teach, preside at the celebration of the [[sacraments]], administer the Church through pastoral guidance, and lead the congregations under their care in service ministry to the world.  The ''[[Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church]]'' states that

{{quote|Elders are ministers who have completed their formal preparation for the ministry of Word, Sacrament, and Order; have been elected itinerant members in full connection with an [[Annual Conference]]; and have been [[Ordination|ordained]] elders in accordance with the Order and Discipline of The United Methodist Church.}}

{{cquote|Elders are ministers who have completed their formal preparation for the ministry of Word, Sacrament, and Order; have been elected itinerant members in full connection with an [[Annual Conference]]; and have been [[Ordination|ordained]] elders in accordance with the Order and Discipline of The United Methodist Church.}}

The office of ''Elder'', then, is what most people tend to think of as the [[pastor]]al, [[priest]]ly, [[clergy]] office within the church.  In most of the [[Christian denomination|denominations]] within [[Methodism]], [[ordination]] to the office of ''Elder'' is open to both men and women.  

The office of ''Elder'', then, is what most people tend to think of as the [[pastor]]al, [[priest]]ly, [[clergy]] office within the church.  In most of the [[Christian denomination|denominations]] within [[Methodism]], [[ordination]] to the office of ''Elder'' is open to both men and women.