Church Orders (Chapters 16-24)

Question 1

How is a man called to office in the church?

Answer 1

1. 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

Question 2

What is a candidate?

Answer 2

..”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 this office. “-BCO 18-1

Question 3

What is required to become a candidate?

Answer 3

1. Session endorsement
2. Member at least six months
3. 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

Question 4

What is a licentiate?

Answer 4

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

Question 5

In what areas is a prospective licentiate examined?

Answer 5

1. 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

Question 6

What is internship?

Answer 6

Candidates for the ministry of the Gospel undergo a time of “internship” in order that some trial is 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

Question 7

What steps must a church take in calling a pastor?

Answer 7

1. Session calls a meeting to elect a search committee34-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.

Question 8

In what areas must a candidate for ordination be examined?

Answer 8

1. Experiential religion
2. Knowledge of Greek and Hebrew
3. English Bible
4. Theology
5. Sacraments
6. Church history
7. History of the Presbyterian Church in America
8. Government and Discipline
9. Paper on a Theological subject
10. Paper on Exegesis (using Greek and Hebrew)
11. Preach a sermon.

Question 9

What vows must he take?

Answer 9

1. 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. 35

Question 10

Who has the final say in establishing or dissolving a pastoral relationship?

Answer 10

The Presbytery has

the final say in establishing or dissolving pastoral relations.

Question 11

How may a pastoral relation be dissolved?

Answer 11

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 fail 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

Question 12

Dissolving a Pastor:

Pastor initiate:

Answer 12

• 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

Question 13

Dissolving a Pastor:

Individual (usually a member) initiated:

Answer 13

Unacknowledged but probable guilt BCO 34-3

Question 14

Dissolving a Pastor:

Session Initiated:

Answer 14

• Dissatisfaction, unrelated to discipline-BCO 23-1

* “Strong presumption of guilt-BCO 31-4, 34-4

Question 15

Dissolving a Pastor:

Presbytery Initiated:

Answer 15

• 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

Question 16

What is the difference between an associate pastor and an assistant pastor?

Answer 16

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

Question 17

In what areas must a candidate for ordination be examined?

Answer 17

1. Experiential religion
2. Knowledge of Greek and Hebrew
3. English Bible
4. Theology
5. Sacraments
6. Church history
7. History of the Presbyterian Church in America
8. Government and Discipline
9. Paper on a Theological subject
10. Paper on Exegesis (using Greek and Hebrew)
11. Preach a sermon.

Question 18

What vows must he take?

Answer 18

1. 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. J5

Question 19

What is the difference between an associate pastor and an assistant pastor?

Answer 19

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

Question 20

What steps must be followed in electing ruling elders or deacons?

Answer 20

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 election
4. 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

Question 21

In what areas is a nominee to be examined?

Answer 21

1. 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