Ruling elder

Elder Eld"er, n. [AS. ealdor an elder, prince, fr. eald old. See {Old}, and cf. {Elder}, a., {Alderman}.] 1. One who is older; a superior in age; a senior. --1 Tim. v. 1. [1913 Webster]

2. An aged person; one who lived at an earlier period; a predecessor. [1913 Webster]

Carry your head as your elders have done. --L'Estrange. [1913 Webster]

3. A person who, on account of his age, occupies the office of ruler or judge; hence, a person occupying any office appropriate to such as have the experience and dignity which age confers; as, the elders of Israel; the elders of the synagogue; the elders in the apostolic church. [1913 Webster]

Note: In the modern Presbyterian churches, elders are lay officers who, with the minister, compose the church session, with authority to inspect and regulate matters of religion and discipline. In some churches, pastors or clergymen are called elders, or presbyters. [1913 Webster]

4. (M. E. Ch.) A clergyman authorized to administer all the sacraments; as, a traveling elder. [1913 Webster]

{Presiding elder} (Meth. Ch.), an elder commissioned by a bishop to have the oversight of the churches and preachers in a certain district.

{Ruling elder}, a lay presbyter or member of a Presbyterian church session. --Schaff. [1913 Webster]