Ruling elders are usually laymen (and laywomen in some denominations) who are elected by <answer>the congregation</answer> and ordained to serve with the teaching elders, assuming responsibility for nurture and leadership of <answer>the congregation</answer>. Often, especially in larger congregations, the elders delegate the practicalities of buildings, finance, and temporal ministry to the needy in <answer>the congregation</answer> to a distinct group of officers (sometimes called deacons, which are ordained in some denominations). This group may variously be known as a "Deacon Board", "Board of Deacons" "Diaconate", or "Deacons' Court". These are sometimes known as "presbyters" to the full congregation.
Who elects the ruling elders?
the congregation