The Three-Office View

In this episode, we explore the biblical and historical foundations of Presbyterian church government through the lens of the three-office view—minister, ruling elder, and deacon. Joining us are two distinguished guests: Mark R. Brown, editor of and contributor to Order in the Offices, and Greg Reynolds, contributor to the volume. Together, we discuss the scriptural and theological arguments for distinguishing the minister of the Word from the ruling elder, why this distinction matters for the health of the church, and the modern challenges facing Presbyterian polity. Brown shares insights from his decades-long defense of the three-office view, while Reynolds unpacks his essay, “Democracy and the Denigration of Office,” explaining how cultural influences have shaped and distorted church governance. Whether you’re a church officer, seminarian, or simply interested in Reformed ecclesiology, this conversation offers a compelling case for recovering the historic Presbyterian model of church leadership. Mark R. Brown is a minister in the Orthodox Presbyterian Church. He is a graduate of Geneva College and Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia. After completing his seminary education in 1977, he planted Westminster Orthodox Presbyterian Church in Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania, where he faithfully served as pastor for forty years until his retirement in 2017. Greg Reynolds is a minister in the Orthodox Presbyterian Church who has served as a church planter and pastor in both New York and New Hampshire. Before entering the ministry, he worked in the field of architecture. In addition to his pastoral work, he is the editor of Ordained Servant: A Journal for Church Officers, where he has contributed numerous essays on ecclesiology and pastoral ministry. Reynolds is the author of The Word Is Worth a Thousand Pictures: Preaching in the Electronic Age, which explores the impact of media on preaching and worship. His academic background includes studies at the Boston Architectural College, the L’Abri Fellowship, Covenant College (BA, 1975), Westminster Theological Seminary (MDiv, 1979), and Westminster Seminary in California (DMin, 2001)​. The coupon is good for one week, from March 21–28, 2025. You may also purchase the book from our partner booksellers: Reformation Heritage Books Canon and Creed Reformed Books Reformed Book Services (our Canadian bookseller) Watch on YouTube and Vimeo. Chapters 00:00:07 Introduction 00:04:28 The Story of the First Edition of Order in the Offices 00:14:24 Influential Theologians on the Topic 00:22:44 Misunderstandings about the Offices 00:29:31 The New Testament Terms for Ministers and Elders 00:32:57 Cultural Influences against Presbyterian Government 00:42:58 The Forgotten Thomas Smyth 00:52:31 Teaching and Implementing a Three-Office View 00:58:52 Final Comments 01:01:44 Conclusion Participants: Camden Bucey, Greg Reynolds, Mark R. Brown Mentioned in this episode: Call the Question! To be able to vote and see the results of our weekly polls, subscribe to our email newsletter for free at reformedforum.org/newsletter. You’ll also receive our bi-annual magazine in digital format. If you provide a US mailing address, we’ll also send you a print copy for free. Cast your vote, and we'll share the results next week.