E. Church Orders (Chapters 16-24) Flashcards
How is a man called to office in the church?
- Inward testimony of the Spirit
- Manifest approbation of God’s people
- Concurring judgment of a lawful court of the Church
What is a candidate?
- Must be a member of the Church in full communion
- Believe he is called to preach
- Submits himself to the Presbyteries care and guidance in studies and practical training
What is required to become a candidate?
- Session’s endorsement
- Member of PCA church for at least 6 months
- Internship
- The Presbytery exams him on experimental religion, motives
What is a licentiate?
• A candidate who desires to be licensed to preach
In what areas is a prospective licentiate examined?
- Christian experience and calling
- Exams: Doctrine, Bible, BCO
- Sermon
What is internship?
- Whereby a candidate is placed under the care of Session to try his gifts and ability to rule
- It must be at least one year
What steps must a church take in calling a pastor?
- Session calls congregational meeting to elect pulpit committee
- Pulpit committee recommends candidate
- Session calls for a congregational meeting to vote on the candidate
- The members vote
In what areas must a candidate for ordination be examined?
- Experimental religion: personal and family
- Knowledge of Greek and Hebrew
- Bible content
- Theology
- Sacraments
- Church history
- PCA history
- BCO (principles and rules of government and discipline)
- Theological paper
- Exegesis paper
- Preach sermon
What vows must an ordination candidate take?
- Do you believe the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, as originally given, to be the inerrant Word of God, the only infallible rule of faith and practice?
- Do you sincerely receive and adopt the Confession of Faith and the Catechisms of this 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?
- 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?
- Do you promise subjection to your brethren in the Lord?
- 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?
- Do you promise to be zealous and faithful in maintaining the truths of the Gospel and the purity and peace and unity of the Church, whatever persecution or opposition may arise unto you on that account?
- 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?
- 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?
Who has the final say in establishing or dissolving a pastoral relationship?
The Presbytery
How may a pastoral relation be dissolved?
- The pastor resigns
- The pastor retires
- The pastor is charged with/guilty of heresy or immorality
What is the difference between an associate pastor and an assistant pastor?
- Associate: Elected by the congregation, member of the Session
- Assistant: Called by the Session, not a member of the Session
What steps must be followed in electing ruling elders or deacons?
- Determined by the Session, members may nominate active male members meeting the qualifications
- Nominee instructed in qualifications and work of the office
- Nominee examined by Session
- Session reports to congregation the eligible candidates
- Congregational meeting and vote
In what areas is a nominee for elder or deacon to be examined?
• (1) Christian experience, (2) Knowledge of doctrine, government, and discipline, (3) duties of office, (4) willingness to assent to BCO 24:5 ordination questions
