Book of Church Order Flashcards
(14 cards)
Name some duties of an Elder and where you can find it in the BCO
Be Spiritually fruitful, dignified, and prudent.
Watch over and be an example to the flock.
Discipline/Govern well in the house and Kingdom of Christ.
Teaching - expounding on the Word and exhort/convince others by sound doctrine.
Evangelize to the unconverted, make disciples, and demonstrate hospitality to all.
Name some duties of an Deacon and where you can find it in the BCO
Mercy ministry - to the needy, sick, friendless, and any who may be in distress.
Develop liberality in the members of the church.
Devise effective methods of collecting & distributing the gifts of the people.
Care for and repair the church property.
How frequently should church officers meet?
There are no formal guidelines for Deacons - they recommend the subgroup of Deacons that meet w/ the Session to meet quarterly for joint matters.
Session should meet at least quarterly. If 2 or more ruling elders want to meet off-cycle, the pastor must grant and facilitate such meeting.
What are the Courts of the Church?
BCO 10-2 …
Sessions - elders and pastors of each local church
Presbyteries - regional body that oversees a group of geographically communal churches
General Assembly - highest order, discuss matters that affect the entire Presbyterian body.
What is the jurisdiction of the Church Courts?
BCO 11-1/2 …
Ministerial and Declarative - (a) can make no laws binding the conscience (b) can set rules for gov’t, discipline, worship, and extension of the church (c) right to require obedience to the laws of Christ.
NOT Civil or Political - no power to inflict temporal pains and penalties.
Name the three purposes of church discipline and where you can find it in the BCO
BCO 27-3 … the glory of God, the purity of His church, and the keeping/reclaiming of disobedient sinners.
1 Tim 4:7 - purpose of godliness, demanding self-examination under scripture.
Describe the Process of Church Discipline
Discipline is systematic training under the authority of God’s Scripture, the revelation of God’s Holy will.
Matthew 18 Principle - Instruction in the Word ; Individual’s responsibility to admonish one another ; If not, then the calling of one or more witnesses ; then the church must act through her court unto admonition, suspension, excommunication, and deposition.
Who is subject to Church Discipline?
BCO 27-2 … All baptized church members are subject to its discipline and entitled to the benefits thereof.
BCO 28.5 … all non-communing members shall be deemed under the care of the church where they reside/ordinarily worship (if adults) to which their parents belong (if minors or living with parents)
How does Church Discipline connect to the Home?
BCO 28 … The spiritual nurture, instruction, and training of the children of the Church are committed by God primarily to their parents. Church steps in where parents fail or when they grow up and deviate as adults.
Without learning there is no growth, without growth there is no discipline, without discipline there is sin and iniquity.
Describe the various Church Censures
Admonition - formal reproof by session but otherwise a “slap on the wrist”
Suspension from Office - may be in/definite. Suspension from the Sacraments - only temporary; always compliment of suspension from office.
Excommunication - only to be inflicted on account of gross crime or heresy and when the offender shows himself incurable and unrepentant. Designed to be a measure of reclaiming sinner (distance makes the heart grow fonder), deliver church from scandal, and inspire all with fear by the example of his discipline
Deposition - More forceful and indefinite removal from office.
What are the five heads of church government, according to Scripture?
BCO 1-1 … The Church, its members, its officers, its courts, and its orders.
What are the sole functions of the Church?
BCO 3-3 … to proclaim, administer, and enforce the law of Christ revealed in the Scriptures.
How many elders attend Presbytery?
All pastoral staff and teaching elders.
2 ruling elders for the first 250 communing members.
1 addt’l ruling elder per addt’l 500 communing members.
Who can serve as witnesses to evidence in a church trial?
BCO 35.1 … All persons of proper age and intelligence are competent witnesses, except such as do not believe in the existence of God, or a future state of rewards and punishments. Both parties have the right to challenge the legitimacy of any witness during trial.
