JoeK, I do begin with the premise of two types of elders as I believe different elders have a different measure of various gifts and thus they are employed in different ways. While all elders should be capable of teaching (and should be educated to this end), some are better gifted then others in different types of communication i.e. preaching, etc.

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To be skilful in teaching is not necessarily the same as being skilful in preaching. In the New Testament teaching is a much broader word than preaching. Preaching is the public proclamation of the Word of God. All preaching should teach the congregation. But teaching includes many things that are not preaching. Let me give some examples: Jesus says that his Father taught him the things he spoke to the Pharisees (John 8:28). The man born blind taught the Pharisees about Jesus Christ (John 9:34). Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit would teach us all things (John 14:26). Paul says that he taught the Ephesian elders from house to house (Acts 20:20). In 1 Cor. 11:14 Paul says: “Does not even nature itself teach that if a man has long hair, it is a dishonor to him?” In Eph. 4:20,21 Paul writes: “But you have not so learned Christ, if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus....” Paul commands all believers to teach one another with spiritual psalms, spiritual hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your heart to the Lord (Col. 3:16). Paul tells the Thessalonians to stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle (2 Thess. 2:15). Teaching someone by writing a letter is not preaching. When Paul says in 1 Timothy 2:12, “And I do not permit a woman to teach,” he is not referring exclusively to preaching. When Hebrews says: “For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God,” it does not mean that all believers should be preachers. Further, parents teach their children, and teachers teach their students, none of which is preaching.

I am not saying that Paul means all these things when he says that an overseer must be skilful in teaching. My point is simply that teaching is not equivalent to preaching. An overseer may be skilful in teaching and not even be able to preach. Since the Great Reformation, Reformed churches have insisted that the preacher of God’s Word should be able to read the original languages in which the Bible was written in order that he might rightly divide the word of truth. Ruling elders do not need to meet this standard because they are not ordained to preach the Word of God and administer the sacraments.

Biblical Qualifications for Elders by Archibald Alexander Allison
Thus, there is NOTHING wrong with delineating the differences in what elders regularly do, just like there is nothing wrong with delineating that someone is a treasurer, youth coordinator, etc. Titles assist us in understanding a person's duties.

In addition, I made the assertion that elders are to “rule” biblically, which your previous post seems to somewhat deny [i.e. First off to use the word "ruler" to signify any type of leadership position is not very Christlike]. It is great to hear that you believe in elders that can rule. And finally, the article by Miller was to show you some of the thinking in how they (1) came up with the name ruling elder, and (2) his duties. It was meant to show you some history. Others such as Smyth, Hodge, and Thornwell dissented from this position. I personally would have preferred "preaching elder" and "ruling elder" however, understanding what they mean by the phrases it is no biggy. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/hello.gif" alt="" />

Reformed and Always Reforming,