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Cutting through the FOG

Cutting through the FOG. The new Form of Government and Sessions / congregations C.O.L.E. Markham Woods Presbyterian CHURCH February 8, 2014. Part One. Introduction: New CURRENT Form of Government basics. GA: Specs for New FOG. Leaner and more flexible Preserve essential polity

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Cutting through the FOG

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  1. Cutting through the FOG The new Form of Government and Sessions / congregations C.O.L.E. Markham Woods Presbyterian CHURCH February 8, 2014

  2. Part One Introduction: NewCURRENT Form of Government basics

  3. GA: Specs for New FOG Leaner and more flexible Preserve essential polity More ‘missional’ Congregations: where mission begins Presbytery: central governing unit A constitution, not a regulatory manual

  4. 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

  5. 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!

  6. Part Two Foundations of Presbyterian Polity (F Section)

  7. New “F” Section • Chapters 1-4 of old FOG, rearranged by theme • Beginning 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)

  8. 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

  9. 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”

  10. 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

  11. 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.

  12. 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

  13. Six Great Ends of the Church

  14. 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).

  15. F-1.04 – Openness to the HS • Continuity and change within our form of government • Unity in diversity -- F-1.0403 sets stage for G-3.0103 • A 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 ecumenical • F-1.0404

  16. 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”

  17. 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

  18. Historic Principles of Church Order (1788) God alone is Lord of the conscience Churches entitled to declare terms of admission, qualifications of ministers and members Officers preserve truth and duty, cast out erroneous and scandalous Truth is in order to goodness; inseparable connection between faith and practice Truth and forms with which people of good characters and principles may differ – mutual forbearance

  19. 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

  20. Principles of Presbyterian Government (1797) Congregations of PC(USA) constitute one church Governed by presbyters (ruling and teaching elders) Gathered in 4 councils (session, pby, synod, GA) Presbyters seek and represent the will of Christ Decisions by majority vote (after discussion/discernment) Higher councils review and control lower councils Presbyters ordained only by the authority of a council Ecclesiastical jurisdiction is a shared power (councils) Councils possess administrative authority to give effect to the duties/responsibilities assigned by Constitution

  21. Part Three The Form of Government (G Section)

  22. Terminology Changes

  23. 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 Service Ruling Elders: The Ministry of Discernment and Governance Teaching Elders: The Ministry of the Word and Sacrament

  24. 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)

  25. 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.

  26. 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

  27. Ruling Elders Not lord it over the congregation (Mt. 20:25) Measure or discern Fidelity to the Word of God; strengthen and nurture faith and life A “presbyter” first!

  28. Teaching Elders Ideal Teaching Elder? 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 church

  29. Where to find things • Congregation – meetings: G-1.05 • Session: • 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

  30. 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.

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