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The Presbyterian Church's
Foundational
Principles for Governance
Chapter 5 - The Church and Its Officers
Christ’s Ministry
All ministry in the Church is a gift from Jesus Christ. Members and officers
alike serve mutually under the mandate of Christ who is the chief minister of
all. His ministry is the basis of all ministries; the standard for all offices
is the pattern of the one who came "not to be served but to serve" (Mt. 20:28).
The purpose and pattern of leadership in the church in all its forms of ministry
shall be understood not in terms of power but of service.
Election by the People
The government of this church is representative. The members of a particular
church voluntarily put themselves under the leadership of their officers, whom
they elect. No person can be placed in any permanent office in a congregation or
governing body except by election of that body. The right of God’s people to
elect their officers is inalienable. The Church offices mentioned in the New
Testament, which this church has maintained, include those of presbyters
(ministers of the Word and Sacrament and elders) and deacons. The existence of
these offices in no way diminishes the commitment of all members to the ministry
of the church. Those called to office respond to the call of God; they must have
the approval of God’s people and the concurring judgment of a governing body of
the church. Both men and women shall be eligible to hold church offices.
Freedom of Conscience—Individual and Corporate
It is necessary to the integrity and health of the church that the persons who
serve in it as officers shall adhere to the essentials of the Reformed faith and
polity as expressed in The Book of Confessions and the Book of Order. The
decision as to whether a person has departed from essentials of Reformed faith
and polity is made initially by the individual concerned but ultimately becomes
the responsibility of the governing body in which he or she serves.(1)
It is to be recognized, however, that in becoming a candidate or officer of the
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), one chooses to exercise freedom of conscience
within certain bounds. His or her conscience is captive to the Word of God as
interpreted in the standards of the church so long as he or she continues to
seek or hold office in that body. So far as may be possible without serious
departure from these standards, without infringing on the rights and views of
others, and without obstructing the constitutional governance of the church,
freedom of conscience with respect to the interpretation of Scripture is to be
maintained.
Gifts and Abilities
In addition to possessing the necessary gifts and abilities, natural and
acquired, those who undertake particular ministries should be persons of strong
faith, dedicated discipleship, and love of Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.
Officers are responsible for a quality of life and relationships that commend
the gospel to all persons and that communicate its joy and its justice.(2)
Ministers and Presbytery
The Lord has set aside through calling and training certain members to perform a
special ministry of the Word and Sacrament and has committed to them a variety
of work to do. While the ministry is one, there may be forms of ministry in
which primary emphasis is given to proclamation of the Word and the celebration
of the Sacraments, forms that stress deeds of love and mercy, forms that are
primarily educational, administrative, legislative, or judicial, and forms that
are primarily prophetic. The church through the presbytery calls them to the
responsibility and office of ministers of the Word and Sacrament, receives them
as members of the presbytery, and designates them to such work that may be
helpful to the church in mission, in the performance of which they shall be
accountable to the presbytery.
Elders and Deacons
As there were in Old Testament times elders for the government of the people, so
the New Testament Church provided persons with particular gifts to share in
governing and ministry.
Elders, together with ministers of the Word and Sacrament, exercise leadership,
government, and discipline and have responsibility for the life of a particular
church as well as the church at large, including ecumenical relationships. When
elected to service in higher governing bodies, elders participate and vote with
the same authority as ministers of the Word and Sacrament, and they are eligible
for any office.
The office of deacon as set forth in Scripture is one of sympathy, witness, and
service after the example of Jesus Christ.
Continuation in Office
As long as an officer is in good standing as a member of a congregation or
presbytery, the elder, deacon, or minister of Word and Sacrament, continues to
bear the responsibilities of the office. While they are active members of any
particular church of this denomination, elders or deacons not in active service
on a session or board of deacons continue to bear the responsibilities of the
office(s) to which they have been ordained.
Election Provisions
Every congregation shall elect men and women from among its active members to
office. Nominations for office shall be made by a representative nominating
committee of active members of the church, subject to principles of
participation and representation.
Ordination for Church Office
Ordination is the act by which the church sets apart persons elected to office.
The minister or moderator shall ask those preparing to be ordained or installed
to stand before the congregation or presbytery and to give affirmative answer to
the questions prescribed by the Constitution. Prayer and the laying on of hands
shall follow. Ordination to the office of minister of the Word and Sacrament is
an act of the presbytery. Ordination to the offices of elder and deacon is an
act of the session.
Endnotes
1. Very early in the history of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of
America, even before the General Assembly was established, the plan of reunion
of the Synod of New York and Philadelphia contained the following sentences:
"That when any matter is determined by a major vote, every member shall either
actively concur with or passively submit to such determination; or if his
conscience permits 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." His. Dig. (P) p. 1310.)
(Plan of Union of 1758, par. II.)
2. In 1997, a statement regarding faithfulness in marriage and chastity in
singleness, along with a specification that officers be repentant of all
behaviors the confessions call sin, was appended to this foundational statement.
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