THE NEW FORM OF GOVERNMENT AND SESSIONS / CONGREGATIONS

C.O.L.E.MARKHAM WOODS PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

FEBRUARY 8, 2014

Cutting through the FOG

INTRODUCTION:NEW CURRENT

FORM OF GOVERNMENT BASICS

Part One

GA: Specs for New FOG

Leaner and more flexiblePreserve essential polityMore ‘missional’Congregations: where

mission beginsPresbytery: central

governing unitA constitution, not a

regulatory manual

Major Change

Philosophy, not specific section

Change from “Prescriptive” to “Permissive” polity

Prescriptive: constitution must specify power (regulatory)

Permissive: freedom to act within broad principles

Impact of Change

Old FOG: not many required structures for Sessions

Still, many “hoops” to jump through

Many of these no longer in Constitution

Not unimportant, just not constitutional

New FOG: Details the “what” –

what must be done Does not prescribe the

“who” or “how”How you accomplish

your responsibilities is up to you!

FOUNDATIONS OF PRESBYTERIAN POLITY

(F SECTION)

Part Two

New “F” Section

Chapters 1-4 of old FOG, rearranged by themeBeginning point: God’s sovereign mission (F-1.01)Jesus Christ as Lord and Head of the Church (F-1.02)The church’s calling – four sources:

Biblical: Church is the body of Christ (F-1.0301) Ancient Creed: Nicene ‘Marks’: (one, holy, catholic,

apostolic) (F-1.0302) Reformation era: Scots Confession ‘Notes’ (Word,

Sacraments, Discipline) (F-1.0303) American Presbyterianism: UPNA Six Great Ends (1910) (F-

1.0304)

F-1.0301 – The Body of Christ

The Church possesses all gifts necessary to be Christ’s body

In demonstrating these gifts, the Church becomes a community of … Faith Hope Love Witness

F-1.0302 – The Nicene ‘Marks’

The church is called to exercise these gifts of God:

Unity – priesthood of believers, inclusiveness, ecumenicity

Holiness – purity, righteousness, and truth

Catholicity – Christ’s embrace of all people/all times

Apostolicity – faithfully proclaiming the gospel as “Christ’s faithful evangelist”

F-1.0303 – Scots ‘Notes’

The presence of the true Church is marked wherever …

The Word of God is truly preached and heard

The Sacraments are rightly administered

Ecclesiastical discipline is uprightly ministered

Notes: 21st Century Interpretation

Proclaims and hears the Word of God, responding to the promise of God’s new creation in Christ, and inviting all people to participate in that new creation;   Administers and receives the Sacraments, welcoming those who are being engrafted into Christ, bearing witness to Christ’s saving death and resurrection, anticipating the heavenly banquet that is to come, and committing itself in the present to solidarity with the marginalized and the hungry; and   Nurtures a covenant community of disciples of Christ, living in the strength of God’s promise and giving itself in service to God’s mission.

Importance of ‘Notes’

Framework for discussion of Council responsibilities

Appear twice: F-1.0303 and G-3.0101

Implication: all being done should be measured against these Notes

Six Great Ends of the Church

G-3.0201, 2nd §

The session shall have responsibility for governing the congregation and guiding its witness to the sovereign activity of God in the world, so that the congregation is and becomes a community of faith, hope, love, and witness. As it leads and guides the witness of the congregation, the session shall keep before it the marks of the Church (F-1.0302), the notes by which Presbyterian and Reformed congregations have identified themselves throughout history (F-1.0303) and the six Great Ends of the Church (F-1.0304).

F-1.04 – Openness to the HS

Continuity and change within our form of governmentUnity in diversity -- F-1.0403 sets stage for G-3.0103A new openness to God’s mission in the world …

More radical obedience and joyous celebration in worship and work

Becoming in fact and faith a community of all ages, races, ethnicities, and worldly conditions

The possibilities and perils of its institutional forms in order to ensure the faithfulness and usefulness of these forms to God’s activity in the world

God’s continuing reformation of the Church ecumenicalF-1.0404

Chapter 2: Confessions

Virtually the same as Chapter 2 in the old FOG

Two additions:F-2.01, second paragraph:

confessions articulate the truths of the gospel imperiled by their times

F-2.02, amplification of phrase: “’the Church reformed, always being reformed according to God’s Word’ in the power of the Spirit”

Chapter 3: Historic Declarations

Essential Presbyterian polity

F-3.01 - Historic Principles Of Church Order (1789)

F-3.02 - Principles of Presbyterian Government (1797)

F-3.03 - The Nature of Foundational Statements

F-3.04 - Contents of the Constitution

Historic Principles of Church Order (1788)

God alone is Lord of the conscienceChurches entitled to declare terms of admission,

qualifications of ministers and membersOfficers preserve truth and duty, cast out erroneous

and scandalousTruth is in order to goodness; inseparable connection

between faith and practiceTruth and forms with which people of good characters

and principles may differ – mutual forbearance

Historic Principles [Cont’d]

Election of officers done by the people (“in that society”)

Church power is ministerial and declarative … synods and councils may err

Ecclesiastical discipline is purely moral or spiritual in its object, and is not attended with any civil effects

Principles of Presbyterian Government (1797)

Congregations of PC(USA) constitute one churchGoverned by presbyters (ruling and teaching elders)Gathered in 4 councils (session, pby, synod, GA)Presbyters seek and represent the will of ChristDecisions by majority vote (after discussion/discernment)Higher councils review and control lower councilsPresbyters ordained only by the authority of a councilEcclesiastical jurisdiction is a shared power (councils)Councils possess administrative authority to give effect to

the duties/responsibilities assigned by Constitution

THE FORM OF GOVERNMENT(G SECTION)

Part Three

Terminology Changes

NEW TERM: REPLACES OLD TERM:Council Governing BodyOrdered Ministry Office or OfficerRuling Elder ElderTeaching Elder Minister of the Word and SacramentCommissioned Ruling Elder Commissioned Lay Pastor

Ordered Ministries

All members are called to follow Christ in some form of ministry

Some ministries (functions) are ordered by Councils for the benefit of all

Deacons: The Ministry of Compassion and ServiceRuling Elders: The Ministry of Discernment and

GovernanceTeaching Elders: The Ministry of the Word and

Sacrament

A Matter of Conscience

God alone is Lord of the conscience … F-3.0101a; quotes Westminster Confession, 6.109

Persons who serve in ordered ministries must adhere to the essentials of the Reformed faith and polity – G-2.0105

Exercise freedom of conscience within certain bounds – G-2.0105

G-2.0105 footnote (1758)

G-2.0105 footnote

That when any matter is determined by a majority vote, every member shall either actively concur with or passively submit to such determination; or if his conscience permit him to do neither, he shall, after sufficient liberty modestly to reason and remonstrate, peaceably withdraw from our communion without attempting to make any schism. Provided always that this shall be understood to extend only to such determination as the body shall judge indispensable in doctrine or Presbyterian government.

Deacons

Ministry of compassion, witness, service

Sharing the redeeming love of Jesus Christ

Individually commissioned or part of a board

Under supervision of session

UPCUSA vs. PCUS Deacons

Ruling Elders

Not lord it over the congregation (Mt. 20:25)

Measure or discernFidelity to the Word of

God; strengthen and nurture faith and life

A “presbyter” first!

Teaching Elders

Teach the faith and equipping the saints for the work of ministry

The ministry of the Word and Sacraments

Validated ministry, member-at-large, or honorably retired

Service in congregations, in other service to the church, or beyond the jurisdiction of the churchIdeal Teaching Elder?

Where to find things

Congregation – meetings: G-1.05Session:

Membership matters: G-1.03 Ordered Ministries – Deacons/Ruling Elders: G-2.01-2.04 General procedures for Councils: G-3.01 Specific items for Session: G-3.02 Trustees; Church Property: G-4.01-4.02 Joint congregational witness: G-5.05 (formerly, ‘union’ or

‘federated’ churches) Amending the Constitution: G-6.00

Closing Note: G-1.0102

The polity of the PC(U.S.A.) presupposes the fellowship of women and men with their children united in covenant relationship with one another and with God. The organization rests on the fellowship and is not designed to work without trust and love.