REs and Heresy

TE Wes White has a new post at his blog addressing the question "Are Teaching Elders More Qualified to Deal with FV [Federal Vision] than Ruling Elders?" It is worth reading. He makes some great points, such as:

1. TEs are no more qualified than REs to deal with heresy (specifically, Federal Vision). This is especially true when TEs don't do their homework and read up on issues.

2. TEs tend to run in cliques (or at least, have a tendency to do so), based on the fact that many TEs may have attended the same seminary, gone through the same ordination/examination process, have to face similar issues in their churches (like pesky REs getting in their way).

3. REs have lead the charge against FV and have been some of the most determined opponents of it.

4. REs have to sit under the teaching of TEs who do hold to heresy, so there is a personal interest in seeing doctrinal issues dealt with.

In light of these things, I ask you, Ruling Elders: have you read through your denomination's reports on Federal Vision? Do you read your denomination's Standards? Are you familiar with Robert's Rule of Order? If the answer to any of those is "no" then you've got some work to do!