BCO E, F, G Flashcards
How is a man called to office in the church?
- The individual-through the inward testimony of a good conscience as a calling of the Spirit.2. The church-declaring it believes the man is called and it wants him to serve.3. The Court-a court of the church agrees and is satisfied that he is qualified.4. A call to a church office is based on being elected by the congregation-BCO 16-2.”Ordinary vocation to office in the church is the calling of God by the Spirit, through the inward testimony of a good conscience, the manifest appropriation of God’s people. and the consulting judgement of a lawful court of the church. “-BCO 16..1 -3
What is a candidate?
A candidate for the ministry is a member of the Church in full communion who, believing himself to be called to preach the Gospel, submits himself to the care and guidance of the Presbytery in his course of study and of practical training to prepare himself for office. (BCO 18-1)
What is required to become a candidate?
- Session endorsement2. Member at least six months3. File with clerk at least two months before presbytery meeting. (BCO 18-2)4. Appear before Presbytery in person.5. Be examined on experiential religion and motive for seeking ministry .(BCO 18-3)
What is a licentiate?
A licentiate is a person examined and permitted to preach within the pulpits of the PCA with the authority of the presbytery of the jurisdiction where he will preach.”To preserve the purity of the preaching of the Gospel, no man is permitted to preach in the pulpits of the Presbyterian Church in America on a regular basis without proper licensure from the Presbytery having jurisdiction where he will preach. “(BCO 19-1)
In what areas is a prospective licentiate examinined?
- Christian experience and inward call.2. Written or oral: Theology (Westminster Standards), English Bible, and Book of Church Order .3. Orally before Presbytery: on same as above.4. Provide written sermon and deliver it before Presbytery.-BCO 19-2
What is an internship?
Candidates for the ministry of the Gospel undergo a time of “internship” in order that some trial be made in regard to the use of gifts and ability to serve as a teaching elder. The internship lasts at least one year and the nature of it is determined by the presbytery. It should involve the candidate in the full scope of duties of any regular ministerial calling. (BCO 19- 7)
What steps must a church take in calling a pastor?
- Session calls a meeting to elect a search committee. (BCO 20-2)2. A congregational meeting must be called for the election of the pastor. (BCO 20-3)3. Elected by the congregation and reports to the congregation.
In what areas must a candidate for ordination be examined?
- Experiential religion2. Knowledge of Greek and Hebrew3. English Bible4. Theology5. Sacraments6. Church history7. History of the Presbyterian Church in America8. Government and Discipline9. Paper on a Theological subject10. Paper on Exegesis (using Greek and Hebrew)11. Preach a sermon.
What vows must a candidate for ordination take?
- Commitment to the inerrant, infallible Bible.2. Submission to the Confession and Catechisms.3. Submission to the form of Church government.4. Submission to your brethren.5. Perceive yourself called of God.6. Promise to maintain the truth of the Gospel and the purity and peace of the church.7. Promise to fully exercise your duties.8. Willing to take charge of the church. I. Do you believe the Scripture of the Old and New Testaments, as originally given, to be the inerrant Word of God, the only infallible rule of faith and practice? 2. Do you sincerely receive and adopt the Confession of Faith and the Catechisms of thi.s Church, as containing the system of doctrine taught in the Holy Scriptures; and do you further promise that if at any time you find yourself out of accord with any of the fundamentals of this system of doctrine, you will on your own initiative, make known to your Presbytery the change which has taken place in your views since the assumption of this ordination vow? 3. Do you approve of the form of government and discipline of the Presbyterian Church in America, in conformity with the general principles of Biblical polity? 4. Do you promise subjection to your brethren in the Lord? 5. Have you been induced, as far as you know your own heart, to seek the office of the holy ministry from love to God and a sincere desire to promote His glory in The Gospel of his Son? 6. Do you promise to be zealous and faithful in maintaining the truths of the Gospel and The purity and peace of the Church, whatever persecution or opposition may arise unto you on that account? 7. Do you engage to be faithful and diligent in the exercise of all your duties as a Christian and a minister of the Gospel, whether personal or relational, private or public; and to endeavor by the grace of God to adorn the profession of the Gospel in your manner of life, and to walk with exemplary piety before the flock of which God shall make you overseer? 8. Are you now willing to take the charge of this church, agreeable to your declaration when accepting their call? And do you, relying upon God for strength, promise to discharge to it the duties of a pastor? (BCO 21-5)For an assistant minister only questions 1-7 shall be used.
Who has the final say in establishing or dissolving a pastoral relationship?
The Presbytery has the final say in establishing or dissolving pastoral relations. (23-1)
How may a pastoral relation be dissolved?
A pastoral relation is dissolved when a presbytery accepts the resignation of a minister after a congregational meeting has been called and conducted, and its commissioners then appear before the presbytery to show cause why the presbytery should or should not accept the resignation of the pastor.”When a minister shall tender the resignation of his pastoral charge to his presbytery, the presbytery shall cite the church to appear by its commissioners, to show cause why the presbytery would or should not accept the resignation. If the church fails to appear, or if its reasons for retaining the pastor be deemed insufficient, his resignation shall be accepted and the pastoral relation dissolved.” (BCO 23-1)1. Pastor initiate:• Seeks new pastorate-BCO 23-1• Determines he is not called-BCO 38-3• Convinced he is not able to serve the church-BCO 38-3• Retires-BCO23-2 2. Individual (usually a member) initiated: Unacknowledged but probable guilt BCO 34-3 3. Session Initiated: • Dissatisfaction, unrelated to discipline-BCO 23-1• “Strong presumption of guilt-BCO 31-4, 34-4 4. Presbytery Initiated:• Due process for accusation(s) made against the minister-BCO 34-4,6,7,8,9• Inquiry into apparent failure properly to attend to his duties–BCO 34-10
What is the difference between an associate pastor and an assistant pastor?
The associate pastor is called by the congregation and as such becomes a member of the Session and his pastoral relation is determined by the congregation. The assistant pastor is called by the Session and his pastoral relation to the church is determined by them. “The pastor and associate pastor are elected by the congregation using the form of call in BCO 20-6. Being elected by the congregation, they become members of the session. “ (BCO 22-2)”An assistant pastor is called by the session, by the permission and approval of Presbytery, under the provision of BCO 20-1 and 13-2, with Presbytery membership being governed by the same provisions that apply to pastors. He is not a member of the session, but may be appointed on special occasions to moderate the session under the provisions of BCO 12-4 “ (BCO 22-3)
What steps must be followed in electing ruling elders or deacons?
Public notice must be given at least one month prior to the time of the election, during which the congregation is asked to submit names to the Session.-BCO 24-1 1. Public notice given of congregational meeting for election.2. If 25% of eligible voters ask for additional officers, the session shall call the meeting.3. Notice given as least one month before election4. Congregation asked to submit names to session.5. Session shall examine those nominated.6. Session shall present list of nominees to congregation.7. Session recommends congregation determines the number of officers to be elected.8. Majority vote of those present needed for election.9. Moderator asks congregation if it is ready to proceed to voting is done by private ballot.-BCO 24-1,4,5
In what areas is a nominee to be examined?
- Christian experience (especially personal character).2. Knowledge of doctrine, Church government, discipline contained in the Constitution of the Presbyterian Church in America (BCO preface ill)3. Duties of office to which he is nominated.4. Willingness to give assent to the question required for ordination.-BCO 24-1
How may a congregational meeting be called?
The session shall decide when a meeting is necessary and call it, or shall respond to a written notice of a set fraction of the church- BCO 25-2 BCO 25-2 “Whenever it may seem for the best interest of the church that a congregational meeting should be held, the Session shall call such meeting and give public notice of at least one week. No business shall be transacted at such meeting except what is stated in the notice. The session shall always call a congregational meeting when requested in writing to do so: by…”1/4 of communing members of no more than 100.1/5 of 100-3001/6 of 300-500100 of 700+
