What is a CRE?
Commissioned Ruling Elders (CREs) are a vital extension of Christ’s ministry in the church and the world. Rooted in the Presbyterian conviction that God calls and equips the whole people of God for service, CREs are trained, examined, commissioned, and sent by the presbytery for particular ministries that match their gifts, experience, and calling.
The word Presbyterian comes from the Greek word presbyteros, meaning “elder.” From the earliest days of the church, elders have served as spiritual leaders who help guide, teach, care for, and strengthen the people of God. In the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), both ruling elders and teaching elders share in Christ’s ministry, each serving according to their particular calling and responsibilities. Commissioned Ruling Elders represent one important way the church recognizes and empowers the gifts of elders for specialized service.
Historically, many CREs served as pastors of congregations without installed teaching elders. While that remains an important ministry, the church has increasingly recognized that God calls elders into many forms of leadership. A CRE may serve one congregation or several congregations. A CRE may lead a chaplaincy ministry, direct a camp or retreat ministry, coordinate mission initiatives, provide pastoral leadership across a region, or serve in another validated ministry approved by the presbytery. The commission is shaped not by a single model of ministry, but by the particular needs of Christ’s church and the particular gifts of the person being called.
Commissioned Ruling Elders are not second-class leaders. They are elders whom the church has trained, examined, commissioned, and entrusted with significant responsibilities for the building up of the body of Christ. As the church faces new opportunities and challenges, CREs provide an important pathway for identifying, equipping, and sending faithful leaders into ministries where their gifts can flourish and where Christ’s mission can be advanced.
Leadership Team
Currently, Muskingum Valley Presbytery has more Commissioned Ruling Elders than installed Ministers of Word and Sacrament. Each year we add more CREs across the presbytery and are thankful for their strong and dedicated leadership.
Rick Hastings, CRE
Rick has served as a CRE for nearly 20 years, enjoys the outdoors, is passionate about men’s ministry, and helping the church reach into the world with the love of Christ. Rick and his wife enjoy quiet moments on their back porch and spending time with their family.
Tara Mitchel, CRE
Tara has been a CRE for nearly a decade. She serves a city church, is passionate about justice ministry and feeding the hungry. Tara loves being a mom and traveling with her husband.
Mark Nutter, CRE
Mark was commissioned as a CRE in 2025, and serves a region as a chaplain. He preaches, leads sessions, and helps congregations who do not have pastors. Mark is a retired educator, is married, and enjoys watching his daughter wrestle.
Elder Enhancement
The training offered through the Commissioned Ruling Elder program is not limited to those seeking a commission. Any elder—and any Christian seeking to grow in faith, knowledge, and leadership—is welcome to participate.
We believe that learning and spiritual formation are lifelong pursuits. These courses help participants deepen their understanding of scripture, theology, and ministry while providing practical tools for service in the church and community.
They also offer a natural way to explore a possible call to commissioned service. Many of our Commissioned Ruling Elders began with a single weekend course before discovering a deeper sense of calling and continuing through the full curriculum. Whether you are seeking growth, discernment, or preparation for future ministry, we invite you to learn alongside us.
Training Pathways
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The Commissioned Ruling Elder program is organized in three levels of formation.
Level 1: Generalist Commission
Level 1 provides foundational training for elders serving in a defined ministry of the presbytery. This may include chaplaincy, regional care, worship leadership, preaching, sacramental leadership, session moderation, mission leadership, or other particular ministries approved by the presbytery.
Level 2: Congregational Ministry Commission
Level 2 builds on Level 1 and provides additional preparation for elders called to serve one or more congregations as commissioned pastors. This level focuses on worship, preaching, pastoral care, congregational systems, stewardship, mission, and leadership.
Level 3: Continuing Education
Level 3 provides ongoing formation for commissioned leaders who want to continue growing in preaching, pastoral practice, spiritual formation, and ministry leadership.