BOCO

Question 1

Agencies of the PCA

Answer 1

1. Covenant College
2. Coventant Theological Seminary
3. PCA Foundation
4. PCA Retirment & Benefits
5. Ridge Haven Confrence Center

Question 2

Permanent Committees

Answer 2

1. Administrative C.
2. C. on Discipleship Ministires
3. Mission to the World
4. Misison to North America
5. Refermed University Ministries

Question 3

Special Committees

Answer 3

1. Consitutional Business
2. Coopeerative Ministires
3. Interchurch Relations
4. Nominating
5. Review of Presbytery Record
6. Theological Examining Com.

Question 4

What are the parts of BCO?

Answer 4

1. Form of Government
2. Rules of Discipline
3. Directory for the Worship of God

Question 5

According to the Preliminary Principles, what is the relation of church and state?

(red card)

Answer 5

No religious constitution should be supported by the civil power further than may be necessary for protection and security equal and common to all others.

The power of the Church is exclusively spiritual; that of the State includes the exercise of force. The constitution of the Church derives from divine revelation; the constitution of the State must be determined by human reason and the course of providential events. The Church has no right to construct or modify a government for the State, and the State has no right to frame a creed or polity for the Church. They are as planets moving in concentric orbits: “Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s and to God the things that are God’s” (Matthew 22:21).

Question 6

According to the Preliminary Principles, what is the relation of truth and godliness?

Answer 6

Godliness is founded on truth. A test of truth is its power to promote holiness according to our Saviour’s rule, “By their fruits ye shall know them” (Matthew 7:20). No opinion can be more pernicious or more absurd than that which brings truth and falsehood upon the same level. On the contrary, there is an inseparable connection between faith and practice, truth and duty. Otherwise it would be of no consequence either to discover truth or to embrace it.

Question 7

According to the Preliminary Principles, what is the nature of Church power?

Answer 7

All church power, whether exercised by the body in general, or by representation, is only ministerial and declarative since the Holy Scriptures are the only rule of faith and practice. No church judicatory may make laws to bind the conscience. All church courts may err through human frailty, yet it rests upon them to uphold the laws of Scripture though this obligation be lodged with fallible men

Question 8

What is the Constitution of the PCA?

Answer 8

Westminster Confession of Faith, together with the Larger and Shorter Catechisms, and the Book of Church Order,

Question 9

What is the scriptural form of Church government; is it essential to the Church’s existence? Explain.

Answer 9

• The scriptural form of church government, which is representative or Presbyterian
• This scriptural doctrine of Presbytery is necessary to the perfection of the order of the visible Church, but is not essential to its existence.

Question 10

What is the purpose of the Church?

Answer 10

The Church which the Lord Jesus Christ has erected in this world for the gathering and perfecting of the saints is His visible kingdom of grace, and is one and the same in all ages

Question 11

Who are the officers of the Church; where in Scripture are their qualifications found?

Answer 11

The officers of the Church, by whom all its powers are administered, are, according to the Scriptures, teaching and ruling elders and deacons. Qualifications in 1 Tim 3, Titus 1

Question 12

Who are the members of the visible Church?

Answer 12

The members of this visible Church catholic are all those persons in every nation, together with their children, who make profession of their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and promise submission to His laws.

Question 13

What denominations are to be recognized a true branches of the Church of Jesus Christ?

Answer 13

all of these which maintain the Word and Sacraments in their fundamental integrity are to be recognized as true branches of the Church of Jesus Christ.

Question 14

In what body does the power which Christ has committed to His Church rest?

Answer 14

The power which Christ has committed to His Church vests in the whole body, the rulers and those ruled, constituting it a spiritual commonwealth. This power, as exercised by the people, extends to the choice of those officers whom He has appointed in His Church.

Question 15

What is a particular Church?

Answer 15

A particular church consists of a number of professing Christians, with their children, associated together for divine worship and godly living, agreeable to the Scriptures, and submitting to the lawful government of Christ’s kingdom.

Question 16

What are the ordinances of the Church?

Answer 16

The ordinances established by Christ, the Head, in His Church are prayer; singing praises; reading, expounding and preaching the Word of God; administering the Sacraments of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper; public solemn fasting and thanksgiving; catechizing; making offerings for the relief of the poor and for other pious uses; and exercising discipline; the taking of solemn vows, and the ordination to sacred office.

Question 17

What are communing members of the Church; what are non-communing?

Answer 17

Communing members are those who have made a profession of faith in Christ, have been baptized, and have been admitted by the Session to the Lord’s Table., The children of believers are, through the covenant and by right of birth, non-communing members of the church.

Question 18

Do the “extraordinary officers” and “extraordinary gifts” continue in the Church today?

Answer 18

agents by whom God completed His revelation to His Church. Such officers and gifts related to new revelation have no successors since God completed His revelation at the conclusion of the Apostolic Age.

Question 19

What are the duties of the deacons?

Answer 19

It is the duty of the deacons to minister to those who are in need, to the sick, to the friendless, and to any who may be in distress. It is their duty also to develop the grace of liberality in the members of the church, to devise effective methods of collecting the gifts of the people, and to distribute these gifts among the objects to which they are contributed.

Question 20

What are the courts of the Church and what are their respective jurisdictions?

Answer 20

These courts are church Sessions, Presbyteries, and the General Assembly. The Session exercises jurisdiction over a single church, the Presbytery over what is common to the ministers, Sessions, and churches within a prescribed district, and the General Assembly over such matters as concern the whole Church.

Question 21

What is the difference between a committee and an ecclesiastical commission?

Answer 21

A commission differs from an ordinary committee in that while a committee is appointed to examine, consider and report, a commission is authorized to deliberate upon and conclude the business referred to it, except in the case of judicial commissions of a Presbytery appointed under BCO 15-3. (Commission makes the final decision, not just a recommendation)

Question 22

What is the doctrine of vocation?

Answer 22

The calling to the ministry as a career. 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 approbation of God’s people, and the concurring judgment of a lawful court of the Church.

Question 23

What is ordination?

Answer 23

Ordination is the authoritative admission of one duly called to an office in the Church of God, accompanied with prayer and the laying on of hands, to which it is proper to add the giving of the right hand of fellowship.

Question 24

What is licensure, what is its purpose, and who may be licensed?

Answer 24

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

A ruling elder, a candidate for the ministry, a minister from some other denomination, or some other man may be licensed for the purpose of regularly providing the preaching of the Word upon his giving satisfaction to the Presbytery of his gifts and passing the licensure examination

Question 25

What are the purposes of discipline?

Answer 25

a. the glory of God, b. the purity of His Church, c. the keeping and reclaiming of disobedient sinners. Discipline is for the purpose of godliness (1 Timothy 4:7); therefore, it demands a self-examination under Scripture

Question 26

What are the proper steps of discipline?

Answer 26

a. Instruction in the Word; b. Individual’s responsibility to admonish one another (Matthew 18:15, Galatians 6:1); c. If the admonition is rejected, then the calling of one or more witnesses (Matthew 18:16); d. If rejection persists, then the Church must act through her court unto admonition, suspension, excommunication and deposition

Question 27

What are the censures that may be inflicted by Church courts?

Answer 27

admonition, suspension from the Sacraments, excommunication, suspension from office, and deposition from office.

Question 28

Which are the modes in which the proceedings of lower courts come under the supervision of higher courts? Briefly describe each.

Answer 28

1. Review and Control; It is the right and duty of every court above the Session to review, at least once a year, the records of the court next below 2. Reference; a written representation and application made by a lower court to a higher for advice or other action 3. Appeal; An appeal is the transfer to a higher court of a judicial case on which judgment has been rendered in a lower court, and is allowable only to the party against whom the decision has been rendered. 4. Complaint. a written representation made against some act or decision of a court of the Church

Question 29

What methods are there for declaring dissatisfaction with actions taken by a court?

Answer 29

Dissents,-A dissent is a declaration on the part of one or more members of a minority, expressing a different opinion from the majority in its action on any issue before the court, and may be accompanied with the reasons on which it is founded. Protests, - A protest is a more solemn and formal declaration by members of a minority, bearing their testimony against what they deem an improper or erroneous action on any issue before the court, and is generally accompanied with the reasons on which it is founded. and Objections - An objection is a declaration by one or more members of a court who did not have the right to vote on an appeal or complaint, expressing a different opinion from the decision of the court and may be accompanied with the reasons on which it is founded.

Question 30

What chapters of the Directory for Worship have constitutional authority?

Answer 30

BCO 56, 57 and 58

Question 31

What is the end (telos) of public worship?

Answer 31

The end of public worship is the glory of God

Question 32

Who are the members of the Session?

Answer 32

The church Session consists of the pastor, associate pastor(s), if there be any, and the ruling elders of a church.

Question 33

If someone is “erased” without censure from the roles of a local Church, into whose jurisdiction does he or she go, and who is responsible for his or her soul before God? (red card)

Answer 33

The local church is no longer responsible but God is to judge those outside the church.

Question 34

What does the vow of “submission to the brethren” mean? (red card)

Answer 34

Your willingness to be subject to the majority rule of the body, even when you cast a dissenting vote.

Question 35

What is proper sessional action in the case of a person who as a child received the sacrament of Infant Baptism yet refuses as a young adult to profess faith in the Lord?

Answer 35

NO ANSWER

Question 36

How often is the Session to meet jointly with the Deacons?

Answer 36

Once a quarter recommended

Question 37

When does the license to preach the Gospel expire?

Answer 37

The license to preach the Gospel shall expire at the end of four years.

Question 38

What is the procedure whereby a man is called to be the pastor of a local church?

Answer 38

* The Session shall call a congregational meeting to elect a pulpit committee * The pulpit committee shall recommend to the congregation a pastoral candidate. * The Session shall order a congregational meeting * Vote * Issue a call to Presbytery for approval * Give call to pastor * Install

Question 39

Who may moderate a Session meeting?

Answer 39

12-2. The pastor is, by virtue of his office, the moderator of the Session. If emergency the Session may elect one of its members to preside. The pastor may invite a minister of the same Presbytery to perform this service. When a church is without a pastor, the moderator of the Session may be either a minister appointed by the Presbytery or one invited by the Session to preside, or one of its own members elected. In judicial cases, the moderator shall be a minister of the Presbytery to which the church belongs. Associate or assistant pastors may substitute for the pastor.

Question 40

What are the duties of the Session?

Answer 40

The church Session is charged with maintaining the spiritual government of the church, for which purpose it has power: word and sacrament, congregational meeting, special exercise for the church property, oversee deacons, examine and install RE and deacons., care for members of church

Question 41

What is the quorum for a congregational meeting?

Answer 41

The quorum of the congregational meeting shall consist of one fourth (1/4) of the resident communing members, if the church has not more than one hundred (100) such members, and of one-sixth (1/6) of the resident communing members if a church has more than one hundred (100) such members.

Question 42

Other than the sacraments, name some of the topics addressed in the Directory of Worship.

Answer 42

Prayer, preaching, psalms and hymns, fasting and thanksgiving, marriage, visiting the sick

Question 43

Names all 8 of the preliminary principles

Answer 43

1. Because God alone is Lord of the conscience, we can’t make anyone do anything contrary to what is in the Word or with respect to faith and worship that which is not prescribed in the Word of God. 2. The Church is free to make up its own membership requirements, officer requirements and internal government independent of any other authority. It may err but that error is not the liberty and rights of others. 3. Officers preach, administer the sacraments and exercise discipline (marks of the church) 4. Godliness is founded on the truth. Truth promotes holiness. 5. While there are some things that are necessary tests of soundness of faith, some things are mere differences and we must bear with each other. 6. Though the qualifications of officers are found in the Scriptures, the power to elect officers is found in the society itself. 7. Church power is ministerial and declarative because the Scripture are the only rule of faith and practice. The church can’t bind the conscience. The church can err. 8. Because discipline is moral or spiritual it has no civil effects and has no physical force.

Question 44

What is the constitution of the PCA?

Answer 44

WCF with WLC and WSC and the Book of Church Order

Question 45

What is the relationship between the constitution and the Scriptures?

Answer 45

The constitution is subject to and subordinate to the Word of God

Question 46

What are the two kinds of church power?

Answer 46

Power of order—individual Power of jurisdiction—joint in courts

Question 47

What is the function of the church?

Answer 47

Proclaim, administer and enforce the law of Christ

Question 48

What are the ordinances of the particular church?

Answer 48

Power of church is spiritual. Power of state includes force. Church governed by divine revelation. State governed by human reason and providence. Church cannot construct or modify state and state cannot frame a creed or polity of church

Question 49

What has the church been ordained for?

Answer 49

Edification and government of his people, propagation of the faith, evangelization of the world

Question 50

What is the quorum of a session?

Answer 50

If 3+ RE, quorum is pastor and 2 RE If less than 3 RE, quorum is Pastor and 1 RE If no TE, 5+ RE, quorum is 3 RE If no TE, less that 5 RE, quorum is 2 RE

Question 51

What does the Session do?

Answer 51

Discipline 1. Cenure those found delinquent 2. Inquire into the knowledge, principles, and conduct of the church member 3. Grant letters of dismissal Sacraments 1. See that parents do not neglect to present children for baptism 2. Receive members into communion 3. Remove communion for just cause Officers 1. Examine, ordain, install ruling elders and deacons 2. Examine the records of deacons Money 1. Approve and adopt budget 2. Approve special action of church property 3. Order collections Special Groups 1. Establish and control Sunday school and bible classes for kids 2. Control special groups (men, women) Evangelism 1. Promote world missions 2. Promote Great Commission Wroship Service 1. Worship services 2. Oversight of public worship 3. Assemble for worship if no minister General 1. Determine best measures for promoting spiritual interest of church 2. Call congregational meetings Higher courts 1. Observe and carry out lawful injunctions of higher court 2. Appoint representative to the higher courts

Question 52

How many Res can a church send to presbytery?

Answer 52

1 RE per 350, and 1 more for each set of 500 members (or fraction thereof) If number of TEs is 50% more than the number of churches, get 2 REs for first 350

Question 53

What is the Quorum for a Presbytery?

Answer 53

At least 2 re and 2 TE

Question 54

What does presbytery do?

Answer 54

New Pastors 1. Receive candidate for ministry 2. Examine and license candidates 3. Receive, dismiss, ordain, install and remove and judge ministers 4. Set apart evangelisits Current Pastors 1. Establish pastoral relations or dissolve them 2. Require ministers to devote themselves diligently to their call and censure those delinquent Higher Courts 1. To see that the lawful injunctions of higher courts are obeyed 2. Condemn errorinous opinions Churches 1. To review session records and redress things contrary to order 2. Visit churches to inquire into and redress evils 3. Unite or divide churches 4. Form and receive new churches 5. Take special oversight of churches without pastors 6. Dissolve churches Larger Scope 1. Devise measures to enlarge the church 2. Order whatever pertains to spiritual welfare of the church 3. Propose to Assembly such measures as are common advantage to the church at large

Question 55

What is General Assembly?

Answer 55

The highest court of this Church and represents in one body all the churches thereof.

Question 56

What are the Assembly Permanent Committees?

Answer 56

1. Administrative Committee of GA 2. Committee on Christian Education and Publications 3. Committee on Mission to North America 4. Committee on Mission to the World

Question 57

Administrative Committee is composed of?

Answer 57

1. Eleven members by Nominating Committee 2. One from each of the agencies

Question 58

What does GA have power to do?

Answer 58

1. Receive and issue all appeals, references, and complaints brought before it 2. Bear testimony against error in doctrine and immorality of practice and decide controversies respecting doctrine and discipline 3. Give advice and instruction in all cases submitted 4. Review records of Presbyteries 5. Erect new Presbyteries and unite and divide 6. Institute and superintend the agencies for evangelization 7. Appoint ministers to labors that fall under its jurisdiction 8. Suppress schisms 9. Receive new ecclesiological bodies 10. Superintend affairs of the church 11. Correspond with other churches

Question 59

What’s the difference between a committee and a commission?

Answer 59

A Committee examines, considers, and report while a commission is authorized to deliberate and conclude the business referred to it.

Question 60

How is a judicial commission of Presbytery different from other commissions?

Answer 60

Their decisions must be approved or disapproved by the presbytery, or it may refer to a study committee.

Question 61

Every commission must have at least?

Answer 61

2 te and 2 re, and must decide upon a quorum. Quroum of 2 TE and 2 RE is required for judicial process, or to ordain or install a TE

Question 62

What is the Standing Judicial committee?

Answer 62

This is a commission of 24 members to which the General Assembly commits all judicial cases within its jurisdiction No complaints or appeals

Question 63

How does GA spread to a foreign country?

Answer 63

Can form by commission a provisional presbytery of no less than 3 elders in a foreign country if no indigenous Presbyterian or reformed church. Dissolved when 3 TE and 3 organized churches

Question 64

What is vocation?

Answer 64

Concurrent testimony of the Spirit of God through a man’s inner conviction, through election of the people, and the approval of the court1

Question 65

What are the requriemnents of those called to office?

Answer 65

1. Suitable gifts 2. Sound faith 3. A life of godliness

Question 66

What is installation?

Answer 66

A secondary ordination to a specific work. Every definite work has its own installation, though one is only ordained once.

Question 67

What is a candidate for ministry?

Answer 67

A member in full communion who believing he is called to preach the Gospel, submits to the care and guidance of Presbytery in his course of study and practical training to prepare himself for office.

Question 68

What is needed to become a candidate for ministry?

Answer 68

* Session’s endorsement * Testimonial of Christian character * Promise of usefulness in ministry * Activites of ministry with evaluation * Examined on Experiential religion and motives for seeking ministry

Question 69

Where can a call come from?

Answer 69

Ordinarily a call comes forma church, presbytery or GA, or another source which it considers a valid Christian ministry

Question 70

When does a presbytery ordain?

Answer 70

When a candidate or licensate is called to missionary service by a missionary agency or presbytery

Question 71

What is subjection to the brethren?

Answer 71

If one holds a position differing from the brethren, he must subject his practice to that of the church and the brethren in the Lord.

Question 72

Do assistant pastors need to be approved by Presbyerty?

Answer 72

Yes, though they are called by the session. But presbyerty dissolves the realtionsip An assistant pastor is called by the Session, by the permission and approval of Presbytery, under the provisions of BCO 20-1 and 13-2, with Presbytery membership being governed by the same provisions that apply to pastors. The dissolution of the relationship of both is governed by the provision of BCO 23.

Question 73

How do you dissolve a pastoral relation?

Answer 73

A pastor presents to presbytery and church commission explains why or why not the Pres should accept it. Then congregational meeting can be called to dissolve relation

Question 74

What is the special process for associates or assistants becoming lead pastor?

Answer 74

Ordinarily, they need to serve in another place first, but congregation can petition Presybtery for a exception by 4/5 majority and with Presbytery’s ¾ vote can be granted.

Question 75

What is the process for the election of RE and deacons?

Answer 75

* Time of appointment announced and congregation submit names * Nominees instructed * Those qualified are reported to the congregation * Number elected shall be determined by the congregation though session can make a recommendation * Private Ballot voting from qualified nominees * Majority vote from all communicant members present

Question 76

What does it mean that ordination is perpetual?

Answer 76

It is a calling from God, so it is not easily set aside

Question 77

How is office set aside?

Answer 77

* Request of the RE or deacon * Majority vote to remove him * Session meets and reports decision to church * Church can file complaint * If not active for a year, his relationship is dissolved

Question 78

Who is entitled to vote?

Answer 78

All communicant members

Question 79

What are congragtional meeting quorums?

Answer 79

1-100 ¼ 100+ 1/6 Only for resident communing members

Question 80

The corporation is responsible for

Answer 80

1. Buying, selling and mortgaging 2. Controlling the title 3. Managing permanent special funds

Question 81

How is the BCO amended?

Answer 81

* First GA proposes amendment with 50% approval * 2/3 of Presbyteries must give advce and consent * A second GA with 50%

Question 82

How are Westminster standards amended?

Answer 82

1. 1st GA ¾ votes 2. ¾ of Presbyteries advise and consent 3. 2nd ¾ vote at GA * This is the same for full consolidation of the church with another body

Question 83

What is discipline?

Answer 83

The exercise of authority given the Church by the Lord Jesus Christ to instruct and guide it members and promte its purity and welfare

Question 84

Who is subject to discipline?

Answer 84

All baptized persons, both communing and non-communing

Question 85

What are the ends of judicial action?

Answer 85

1. Rebuke offense 2. Remove scandal 3. Honor Christ 4. Promote the purity and general edification and 5. Promote the spiritual good the offenders

Question 86

What do you do with adult non-communing members?

Answer 86

With special attention, they should be reminded of their rights and privileges and be warned of the sin and sanger of neglecting their covenantal obligation

Question 87

What are the types of offenses?

Answer 87

Personal or general, private or public

Question 88

What kind of suspension from sacraments?

Answer 88

Only indefinite, no definite

Question 89

Who is always the accuser in a judicial case?

Answer 89

The PCA, because the offense is really against Christ

Question 90

Judicial Process:

Answer 90

1)Charge is laid before session in writing First meeting of judicial process 1) Appoint prosecutor 2) Order indictment with witnesses 3) Cite accused to be heard after at least 10 days Second meeting of Judical process 1) Read charges to accuse 2) Accused called upon to say he is guilty or not Confession or procede to trial at least 14 days after Trial 1) Moderator chrages court 2) Indictment read and accused heard 3) Witness of prosecutor and those those for accused 4) Parties heard: prosecutor, accused, prosecutor 5) Roll called and members express opinion 6) Vote taken and verdict given and judgment

Question 91

Who may be a witness?

Answer 91

Someone of proper age and intelligence and who believe in the existence of God or a future state of rewards and punishments

Question 92

What is required for a charge in a trial?

Answer 92

* Two witnesses * One witness and corroborating evidence

Question 93

What are the kinds of cases that are without process?

Answer 93

* Admission of guilt * Confession of a lack of call to office * Renunciation of the communion of the church * Or neglect of vows for a year and not responding after diligently pursued with warning

Question 94

What principles govern a higher courts use of lower courts procedings

Answer 94

1) limit itself to issues raised in lower court 2) higher shouldn’t question the facts of the lower court 3) higher defers to lower on matters of personal judgment 4) higher court interprets the constitution, and does so even when lower court interprets it differently

Question 95

The higher courts rviews records to:

Answer 95

* determine if recorded correctly * if they have been regular and in accordance with constitution * wise, equitable, and suited to promote the welfare of the church * lawful injunction of the higher courts obeyed

Question 96

What is a reference?

Answer 96

A written representation and application by a lower court for advice or other action on a matter pending before the lower court to a higher court

Question 97

Who is appeal different than a reference?

Answer 97

In an appeal the matter us already decided The party, not the court, brings the appeal

Question 98

What are the grounds for an appeal?

Answer 98

* Irregularity of proceedings of the lower court * Refusal of reasonable indulgence to a party on trial * Receiving improper or declining to receive proper evidence * Hurrying to decision before all testimony is taken * Manifestation of prejudice * Mistake or injustice in the judgment and censure

Question 99

What is a complaint?

Answer 99

A compliant is a written representation made against some act or decision of a court of the church. It is the right of any communing member against any decision of the court to whose jurisdiction he is subject

Question 100

What is a dissent?

Answer 100

A declaration on the part of one or more members of a minority bearing testimony against what they deem a mischevious or erroneous judgment with reasons

Question 101

What is a protest?

Answer 101

A more solemn and formzal declaration of a minority against a judgment of the court

Question 102

Conditions for Baptism:

Answer 102

* Not unnecessarily delayed * Not private but by minster under supervision of session

Question 103

Who often is the Lord’s Supper to be observed?

Answer 103

Frequently

Question 104

Who is to be admitted?

Answer 104

* The ignorant and scandalous are not * Those who profess true religion and are communicants in good standing of an evangelical court * OR those approved by the session