Constitution
Love is the key to church life; without love, our activities as a church are meaningless and void. The “Golden Rule” is always to be followed. Church meetings should be bathed in prayer, with a humble recognition that it is Jesus who rules in His church by His Word and Spirit.
I. Church Courts.
A. Minutes and Meetings. The minutes of church courts are public documents. All meetings shall be open to the public; however, a court, unless otherwise prohibited by rule, may go into executive session upon proper motion (said motion being debatable) approved by a two-thirds vote.
B. The Session.
1. Meetings of the Session.
a. Stated meetings shall be held at least once a quarter.
b. Called meetings may also be held by the call of the Moderator; the Moderator shall call a meeting of the Session when requested by two other members of the Session.
c. The Session consists of the ministers and ruling elders elected by the congregation. A quorum shall consist of at least one-half of the members of the Session, and not less than two.
2. Duties of the Session. The Session shall have all normal powers granted to a Session, including the examination of applicants for church membership; jurisdiction over a congregation; and the oversight of all ministries and business conducted under the auspices of the congregation.
C. The Presbytery.
1. Meetings of the Presbytery.
a. Stated meetings shall be held at least annually.
b. Called meetings shall be convened upon a request by at least two commissioners. At least ten (10) days’ notice must be given for called meetings; however, with unanimous consent, the ten (10) day requirement may be waived. Only the business stated in the call to the meeting may be transacted or considered at that meeting (with the understanding that any business that arises of necessity from the stated business may also be considered).
c. A quorum shall consist of any two commissioners. All of the ordained ruling and teaching elders of the Presbytery are members of and shall be entitled to vote in a meeting of the Presbytery.
2. Duties of the Presbytery. The Presbytery shall have all normal powers granted to a presbytery, including the examination and ordination of ministers of the gospel; the licensing of preachers; the organizing, receiving, uniting, and dividing of congregations (with the consent of the parties involved); the dissolving and dismissing of congregations (either with congregational consent or non-objection, or after judicial process); establishing fraternal relations; and review and control of the minutes and actions of Sessions.
II. The Congregation.
A. A congregational meeting may be held only when the Session calls for a meeting, with at least one week’s notice being given. Only the business stated in the call to the meeting may be transacted or considered at that meeting (with the understanding that any business that arises of necessity from the stated business may also be considered). A Session must schedule a congregational meeting to meet within thirty (30) days when one-fourth of the voting members request such in writing; if the Session fails or refuses to act, those petitioning for the meeting may schedule a congregational meeting with proper notice. The quorum for a congregational meeting shall be one-half of the resident voting members.
B. Should a congregation not have a Session or not have a quorum for a Session, the Presbytery may appoint presbyters to serve in a temporary capacity until such time as a sufficient number of men can be elected from the congregation in order that a quorum can be attained. The Presbytery should seek the consent of the congregation regarding the appointment of these governors.
C. A congregation may withdraw from a Presbytery at any time upon a majority vote in a congregational meeting. Before being dissolved, a congregation is guaranteed opportunity to withdraw. The Presbytery is prohibited from seeking by force or coercion to acquire the church’s property for the use of the Presbytery; however, a congregation may voluntarily donate property to the Presbytery.
III. Church Offices.
A. The perpetual ordained church offices are that of elder (including minister [or teaching elder], as well as ruling elder) and deacon. Only men may be ordained to church office.
B. Before ordination and/or installation, candidates must be approved by the appropriate church court (i.e., the court of original jurisdiction), elected by the people, and ordained by a church court. Every officer must subscribe to the Westminster Confession of Faith and Catechisms; any exception which an officer takes must be recorded in the minutes of the church court, and handled specifically by that court.
C. Officers may be divested without censure for lack of acceptance to the church, but only after the court of original jurisdiction has heard the church’s concerns and allowed him full opportunity for response.
IV. Disciplinary Matters.
A. Private matters should be handled privately, according to the principles of Matthew 18. However, a private matter that cannot be resolved privately (i.e., through personal confrontation, and then the bringing of one or two other witnesses) may be brought to the public attention of the church.
B. Any charge to be presented to the church must be in writing, and must be specific as to the allegation(s), as well as with regard to the witnesses and evidence that may support the charge. At least ten (10) days notice must be given between giving notice of the charges and conducting a trial.
C. The court of original jurisdiction shall be the Session, except that for officers, the court of original jurisdiction shall be the Presbytery.
D. Members of courts dealing with judicial matters must recall their awesome responsibility.
E. No one may be censured by a court apart from a trial or a voluntary guilty plea.
F. The court should ordinarily conduct a trial in public. The court may, by a two-thirds vote, go into executive session for a trial. However, the court should not go into executive session for a trial if the accused objects. Furthermore, the court may not sit with closed doors when dealing with any charge of heresy or violation of church order.
G. The censures that may be imposed include admonition; rebuke; suspension from the Lord’s Supper (either definite, or indefinite by reason of lack of repentance); suspension from church office (either definite, or indefinite by reason of lack of repentance); deposition from church office; and excommunication. Before inflicting a higher censure for continued lack of repentance, a judicial hearing must be held on the matter.
H. Process must commence within one year of an alleged offense.
V. Appeals and Complaints.
A. Any appeal should be filed with the higher court within sixty (60) days of notification of the judgment. An appeal has the effect of staying a censure against a defendant.
B. A complaint against a church court should be filed within sixty (60) days of when the action was taken. A matter against which complaint is lodged may be stayed by the request of one-third of the members of the court, until the matter is finally adjudicated. Those complaining an action who are not satisfied with the response of the court of original jurisdiction may complain to the higher court(s).
C. Any representative of a church from a jurisdiction from which an appeal or complaint is made may not vote on that appeal or complaint when it comes before the higher court(s).
VI. Dissents and Protests. Any member of a court may lodge a dissent or protest against that court which, if couched in temperate language and respectful to the court, shall be recorded in the minutes. Said dissent or protest should be submitted within thirty (30) days of the time when the action was taken. The court may, if it chooses, place a response on the record.
VII. Doctrine.
A. Confessional Standards. The confessional standards shall be the original version of the Westminster Confession of Faith and Larger and Shorter Catechisms.
B. Any church document or action that violates the doctrinal standards shall be null and void.
VIII. Directories. The Presbytery may by a two-thirds vote adopt or amend directories to assist church life.
IX. Affiliation with Other Bodies. This body may merge with another body upon a three-fourths vote in two consecutive stated meetings of the Presbytery. The Presbytery may also, by a three-fourths vote in two consecutive stated meetings of the Presbytery, enter into a covenant agreement with another body for the purpose of establishing another level of appellate court.
X. Amendments. This Constitution may be amended only by a three-fourths vote of the Presbytery in two consecutive stated meetings of the Presbytery.
Directory of Church Order and Worship
The Form of Presbyterian Church Government adopted by the Westminster Assembly, while not binding in all particulars, is an approved guide to assist the church in understanding the meaning and application of church polity. Similarly, the Westminster Assembly’s Directory for Publick Worship is also a useful guide for the conduct of worship.
Rules of Order
O-1. Unless superceded by the Constitution or other rules as may be adopted, Robert’s Rules of Order shall apply in meetings of the church courts; however, it is also understood that where there is no objection or impediment, the court may proceed in an informal manner with respect to debate and discussion. On a roll call vote, the chair’s name shall be called as the final name.
O-2. Presbytery Organization.
a. Elections shall be held at a stated meeting of the Presbytery every year in January. However, the Moderator shall have authority, with appropriate notice, to reschedule that meeting to a later date.
b. Officers.
(1) The Moderator shall be elected for a one-year term. A person may serve no more than two consecutive terms as Moderator, except by the granting of a waiver by a two-thirds vote.
(2) The Stated Clerk shall be elected for a two-year term. A person may serve no more than four consecutive terms as Stated Clerk, except by the granting of a waiver by a two-thirds vote.
(3) Other officers may be elected, such as Recording Clerk, Treasurer, and Parliamentarian.
c. Committees.
(1) The Committee on Administration shall have authority to promote the interests of the Presbytery, and shall also have the responsibility to coordinate and facilitate the meetings of the Presbytery. The Moderator and Stated Clerk shall be ex officio members of this committee.
(2) The Examinations Committee shall facilitate the ordination and licensure examinations.
(3) The Missions Committee shall help coordinate outreach efforts of the Presbytery.
(4) Members of the permanent committees (other than ex officio members) shall serve three-year terms in staggered classes.
(5) If a particular permanent committee is not elected or appointed, its duties will devolve upon the Committee on Administration.
(6) Ad hoc committees may be elected or appointed.
O-3. Licensure and Ordination to the Ministry.
a. Licensure exams will ordinarily consist of the following parts: personal piety, Bible content, theology (with particular reference to the Westminster Confession of Faith and Catechisms), an exegetical paper, a paper on a theological topic, and a trial sermon. Those who are licensed shall answer in the affirmative questions (1) and (2) which are administered to ordinands (W-3), as well as these: (3) Do you promise to study the purity, unity, and peace of the church?; and (4) Do you promise to submit yourself, in the Lord, to the government of this Presbytery, or any other into the bounds of which you may be called?
b. In addition to the parts listed for licensure exams, ordination exams will ordinarily contain the following parts: original Biblical languages, the sacraments, worship, church polity, and church history. c. The Presbytery may choose to examine either orally on the floor, or by written documentation; however, examination in theology must include an oral examination on the floor. In lieu of examination in original Biblical languages, the Presbytery may accept appropriate testimonials confirming the completion of a regular course of study. The Presbytery may allow the approval of any parts of the licensure exam to be in lieu of further examination in that area during the ordination exam. In other cases, the Presbytery may, by a two-thirds vote, waive any of these parts of examination (except for the theology exam) for appropriate reasons duly noted. It shall be customary for the Presbytery to have a roll call vote on each part of an ordination exam and on the exam as a whole.
d. Those who have been ordained to the ministry should be examined with respect to personal piety, theology, the sacraments, worship, and church polity. It shall be customary for the Presbytery to have a roll call vote on each part of an exam for reception and on the exam as a whole.
Forms for Worship
W-1. Baptism of Children.
a. The following questions shall be administered to the parent(s) presenting a child for baptism:
(1) Do you acknowledge your child’s need of the cleansing blood of Jesus Christ, and the renewing grace of the Holy Spirit?
(2) Do you claim God’s covenant promises in [his/her] behalf, and do you look in faith to the Lord Jesus Christ for [his/her] salvation, as you do for your own?
(3) Do you now unreservedly dedicate your child to God, and promise, in humble reliance upon divine grace, that you will endeavor to set before [him/her] a godly example, that you will pray with and for [him/her], that you will teach [him/her] the doctrines of our holy religion, and that you will strive, by all the means of God’s appointment, to bring [him/her] up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord?
b. The following questions shall be administered to the congregation:
(1) Do you as a congregation undertake the responsibility of assisting the parents in the Christian nurture of this child?
(2) Do you promise to set before this child a godly example, so that [he/she] may be encouraged to follow after Christ?
c. The minister should pray for a blessing to attend this ordinance, after which he should call the child by name, and say, “I baptize thee in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” As he pronounces these words, he shall baptize the child with water, by pouring or sprinkling it on the head of the child, without adding any further ceremony.
d. It is appropriate to give a word of exhortation in conjunction with the assumption of baptismal vows.
e. It is also appropriate to conclude the observance of this sacrament with prayer.
W-2. Admittance of People to Communicant Membership.
a. The following questions shall be administered to the person professing his faith for the first time:
(1) Do you acknowledge yourself to be a sinner in the sight of God, justly deserving His displeasure, and without hope save in His sovereign mercy?
(2) Do you believe in the Lord Jesus Christ as the Son of God, and Saviour of sinners, and do you receive and rest upon Him alone for salvation as He is offered in the gospel?
(3) Do you now resolve and promise, in humble reliance upon the grace of the Holy Spirit, that you will endeavor to live as becomes a follower of Christ?
(4) Do you promise to support the church in its worship and work to the best of your ability?
(5) Do you submit yourself to the government and discipline of the church, and promise to study its purity and peace?
b. The following questions shall be administered to the congregation:
(1) Do you welcome this dear [brother/sister] into the fellowship of this congregation?
(2) Do you promise to set a godly example for [his/her] edification and encouragement?
c. If the new member is to be baptized, baptism should now be administered, according to W-1.c.
d. It is appropriate to use these questions for someone joining by reaffirmation of faith, or by transfer.
e. It is also appropriate to give a word of exhortation to the person who has joined the church, and to the congregation as a whole.
W-3. Ordination of Ministers.
a. The following questions shall be administered in the ordination of ministers:
(1) Do you believe the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments to be the Word of God, the only infallible rule of faith and practice?
(2) Do you sincerely receive and adopt the Westminster Confession of Faith and Catechisms, as containing the system of doctrine taught in the Holy Scriptures; and do you further promise that if at any time you find that your opinion has changed regarding any of the statements 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 vow?
(3) Do you approve of the system of government and discipline of the Presbyterian Church?
(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 relative, 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?
b. It is appropriate after the assumption of ordination vows, and the setting apart for office by the laying on of hands and prayer, for an exhortation to be given to the ordinand.
W-4. Installation of Pastors.
a. The following questions shall be administered to the minister who is being installed as a pastor:
(1) Are you now willing to serve this congregation as a pastor, agreeably to your declaration in accepting its call?
(2) Do you conscientiously believe and declare, as far as you know your own heart, that, in taking upon you this charge, you are influenced by a sincere desire to promote the glory of God and the good of the church?
(3) Do you solemnly promise that, by the assistance of the grace of God, you will endeavor faithfully to discharge all the duties of a pastor to this congregation, and will be careful to maintain a deportment in all respects becoming a minister of the gospel of Christ, agreeably to your ordination engagements?
b. The following questions shall be administered to the congregation:
(1) Do you, the people of this congregation, continue to profess your readiness to receive ________, whom you have called to be your pastor?
(2) Do you promise to receive the word of truth from his mouth with meekness and love, and to submit to him in the due exercise of discipline?
(3) Do you promise to encourage him in his labors, and to assist his endeavors for your instruction and spiritual edification?
(4) And do you engage to continue to him while he is your pastor that competent worldly maintenance which you have promised, and to furnish him with whatever you may see needful for the honor of religion and for his comfort among you?
c. It is appropriate for exhortations to be given to the newly-installed pastor and to the congregation.
W-5. Ordination and Installation of Ruling Elders and Deacons.
a. The following questions shall be administered to the man being ordained and/or installed as a ruling elder or deacon:
(1) Do you believe the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments to be the Word of God, the only infallible rule of faith and practice?
(2) Do you sincerely receive and adopt the Westminster Confession of Faith and Catechisms, as containing the system of doctrine taught in the Holy Scriptures; and do you further promise that if at any time you find that your opinion has changed regarding any of the statements of this system of doctrine, you will on your own initiative make known to your Presbytery [Session] the change which has taken place in your views since the assumption of this vow?
(3) Do you approve of the system of government and discipline of the Presbyterian Church?
(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 ruling elder [deacon] 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 accept the office of ruling elder [deacon] in this church, and promise faithfully to perform all the duties thereof, and to endeavor by the grace of God to adorn the profession of the gospel in your life, and to set a worthy example before the church of which God has made you an officer?
b. The following questions shall be administered to the congregation:
(1) Do you, the members of this church, acknowledge and receive this brother as a ruling elder [deacon], and do you promise to yield him all that honor, encouragement, and obedience in the Lord to which his office, according to the Word of God, entitles him?
(2) Do you promise to pray for this brother and his family, that they might be protected as he conscientiously fulfills the duties of this office?
c. It is appropriate for exhortations to be given to the newly-installed officer and to the congregation.