G 1 slides
- 1. Presbyterian Polity Congregations and Their Membership Session Three – September 12, 2015
- 3. G-1.0101 The Mission of the Congregation The congregation is the church engaged in the mission of God in its particular context. The triune God gives to the congregation all the gifts of the gospel necessary to being the Church. The congregation is the basic form of the church, but it is not of itself a sufficient form of the church. Thus congregations are bound together in communion with one another, united in relationships of accountability and responsibility, contributing their strengths to the benefit of the whole, and are called, collectively, the church.
- 4. G-1.0101 The Mission of the Congregation Through the congregation God’s people carry out the ministries of proclamation, sharing the Sacraments, and living in covenant life with God and each other. In the life of the congregation, individual believers are equipped for the ministry of witness to the love and grace of God in and for the world. The congregation reaches out to people, communities, and the world to share the good news of Jesus Christ, to gather for worship, to offer care and nurture to God’s children, to speak for social justice and righteousness, to bear witness to the truth and to the reign of God that is coming into the world.
- 5. G-1.0102 The Fellowship of the Congregation The polity of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) presupposes the fellowship of women, men, and children united in covenant relationship with one another and with God through Jesus Christ. The organization rests on the fellowship and is not designed to work without trust and love.
- 6. G-1.0103 Governed by the Constitution of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) A “congregation,” as used in this Form of Government, refers to a formally organized community chartered and recognized by a presbytery as provided in this Constitution. Each congregation of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) shall be governed by this Constitution. The members of a congregation put themselves under the leadership of the session and the higher councils (presbytery, synod, and General Assembly).
- 7. G-1.0103 Governed by the Constitution of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) The session is responsible to guide and govern the life of the congregation. The session leads the congregation in fulfilling its responsibilities for the service of all people, for the upbuilding of the whole church, and for the glory of God.
- 8. G-1.0103 Governed by the Constitution of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Other forms of corporate witness established by the presbytery shall also be governed by this Constitution and shall be subject to the authority of the presbytery.
- 9. G-1.02 THE ORGANIZING OF A CONGREGATION
- 10. G-1.0201 Organizing Covenant A congregation in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) can be organized only by the authority of a presbytery and shall function under the provisions of this Constitution.
- 11. G-1.0201 Organizing Covenant In organizing a congregation, presbytery shall receive applications for membership from persons wishing to unite in forming a new congregation. These persons shall covenant together as follows:
- 12. G-1.0201 Organizing Covenant “We, the undersigned, in response to the grace of God, desire to be constituted and organized as a congregation of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), to be known as _____________. We promise and covenant to live together in unity and to work together in ministry as disciples of Jesus Christ, bound to him and to one another as a part of the body of Christ in this place according to the principles of faith, mission, and order of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). “(Signatures)”
- 13. G-1.0201 Organizing Covenant At its sole discretion the presbytery may then declare them an organized congregation of the presbytery. The congregation shall then proceed to the election of ruling elders and, if they so decide, deacons. The presbytery shall prepare, examine, ordain, and install these newly elected persons. Presbytery shall continue to work closely with the congregation in securing pastoral leadership, in plans for the service and witness of the congregation, in coordinating its work with other congregations, in counseling concerning incorporation and bylaws for the congregation conforming to the Constitution of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), and in giving other forms of support and encouragement that will strengthen the mission of the congregation in the larger life of the denomination.
- 14. G-1.03 THE MEMBERSHIP OF A CONGREGATION
- 15. G-1.0301 The Meaning of Membership and Baptism In Jesus Christ, God calls people to faith and to membership in the Church, the body of Christ. Baptism is the visible sign of that call and claim on a human life and of entrance into the membership of the church. The baptism of children witnesses to the truth that God’s love claims people before they are able to respond in faith. . . .
- 16. G-1.0301 The Meaning of Membership and Baptism The baptism of those who enter the covenant of membership upon their own profession of faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior witnesses to the truth that God’s gift of grace calls forth a response of faithfulness. Thus, the triune God, incarnate in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, gives to the Church not only its mission but also its understanding of membership.
- 17. G-1.0302 Welcome and Openness A congregation shall welcome all persons who trust in God’s grace in Jesus Christ and desire to become part of the fellowship and ministry of his Church (F-1.0403). No person shall be denied membership for any reason not related to profession of faith. The Gospel leads members to extend the fellow-ship of Christ to all persons. Failure to do so constitutes a rejection of Christ himself and causes a scandal to the Gospel.
- 18. G-1.0303 Entry into Membership Persons may enter into active church membership in the following ways: a. Public profession of faith, made after careful examination by the session in the meaning and responsibilities of membership; if not already baptized, the person making profession of faith shall be baptized;
- 19. G-1.0303 Entry into Membership b. Certificate of transfer, when a person is a member of another Christian church at the time of transfer; c. Reaffirmation of faith, for persons previously baptized in the name of the triune God and having publicly professed their faith.
- 20. G-1.0304 The Ministry of Members Membership in the Church of Jesus Christ is a joy and a privilege. It is also a commitment to participate in Christ’s mission. A faithful member bears witness to God’s love and grace and promises to be involved responsibly in the ministry of Christ’s Church. Such involvement includes:
- 21. G-1.0304 The Ministry of Members • proclaiming the good news in word and deed, • taking part in the common life and worship of a congregation, lifting one another up in prayer, mutual concern, and active support, studying Scripture and the issues of Christian faith and life, • supporting the ministry of the church through the giving of money, time, and talents,
- 22. G-1.0304 The Ministry of Members • demonstrating a new quality of life within and through the church, responding to God’s activity in the world through service to others, living responsibly in the personal, family, vocational, political, cultural, and social relationships of life, • working in the world for peace, justice, freedom, and human fulfillment, participating in the governing responsibilities of the church, and
- 23. G-1.0304 The Ministry of Members • reviewing and evaluating regularly the integrity of one’s membership, and considering ways in which one’s participation in the worship and service of the church may be increased and made more meaningful.
- 25. G-1.04 Categories of Membership The membership of a congregation of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) includes baptized members, active members, and affiliate members.
- 26. G-1.0401 Baptized Member A baptized member is a person who has received the Sacrament of Baptism, whether in this congregation or elsewhere, and who has been enrolled as a baptized member by the session but who has not made a profession of faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Such baptized members receive the pastoral care and instruction of the church, and may participate in the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper.
- 27. G-1.0402 Active Member An active member is a person who has made a profession of faith in Christ, has been baptized, has been received into membership of the church, has voluntarily submitted to the government of this church, and participates in the church’s work and worship. In addition, active members participate in the governance of the church and may be elected to ordered ministry (see G-2.0102). Active members shall regularly, after prayerful consideration, recommit themselves to the disciplines and response- bilities of membership outlined in G-1.0304. The session shall have responsibility for preparing those who would become active members of the congregation.
- 28. W-4.2003 Confirming and Commissioning The church nurtures those baptized as children and calls them to make public their personal profession of faith and their acceptance of responsibility in the life of the church. When these persons are ready, they shall be examined by the session. (G3.0201c) After the session has received them as active members they shall be presented to the congregation during a service of public worship. In that service the church shall confirm them in their baptismal identity. They shall reaffirm the vows taken at Baptism by:
- 29. W-4.2003 Confirming and Commissioning a. professing their faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, b. renouncing evil and affirming their reliance on God’s grace, c. declaring their intention to participate actively and responsibly in the worship and mission of the church. (W-3.3603) They are commissioned for full participation in the mission and governance of the church, and are welcomed by the congregation.
- 30. G-1.0403 Affiliate Member An affiliate member is a member of another congregation of this denomination or of another denomination or Christian body, who has temporarily moved from the community where the congregation of membership is situated, has presented a certificate of good standing from the appropriate council or governing body of that congregation, and has been received by the session as an affiliate member. An affiliate member may participate in the life of the congregation in the same manner as an active member except that an affiliate member may not vote in congregational meetings or be elected to ordered ministry or other office in the congregation.
- 31. G-1.0404 Other Participants Persons who are not members of, or who may have ceased active participation in, the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) are welcome and may participate in the life and worship of this church and receive its pastoral care and instruction. The invitation to the Lord’s Supper is extended to all who have been baptized, remembering that access to the table is not a right conferred upon the worthy, but a privilege given to the undeserving who come in faith, repentance, and love (W-2.4011). Confessing members of other Christian churches may present children for baptism, in conformity with W-2.3014.
- 32. G-1.05 MEETINGS OF THE CONGREGATION
- 33. G-1.0501 Annual and Special Meetings The congregation shall hold an annual meeting and may hold special meetings as necessary, for any or all of the purposes appropriate for congregational consideration. The business to be transacted at special meetings shall be limited to items specifically listed in the call for the meeting. All active members of the congregation present at either annual or special meetings are entitled to vote. Congregations shall provide by rule the quorum necessary to conduct business.
- 34. G-1.0502 Calling a Congregational Meeting Meetings of the congregation shall be called by the session, by the presbytery, or by the session when requested in writing by one fourth of the active members on the roll of the congregation. Adequate public notice of all congregational meetings shall be given. Congregations shall provide by their own rule for minimum notification requirements and give notice at regular services of worship prior to the meeting.
- 35. G-1.0503 Business Proper to Congregational Meetings Business to be transacted at meetings of the congregation shall be limited to matters related to the following: a. electing ruling elders, deacons, and trustees; b. calling a pastor, co-pastor, or associate pastor; c. changing existing pastoral relationships, by such means as reviewing the adequacy of and approving changes to the terms of call of the pastor or pastors, or requesting, consenting to, or declining to consent to dissolution; . . .
- 36. G-1.0503 Business Proper to Congregational Meetings d. buying, mortgaging, or selling real property; e. requesting the presbytery to grant an exemption as permitted in this Constitution (G-2.0404). f. approving a plan for the creation of a joint congregational witness, or amending or dissolving the joint congregational witness (G-5.05). Whenever permitted by civil law, both ecclesiastical and corporate business may be conducted at the same congregational meeting.
- 37. G-1.0504 Moderator The installed pastor shall ordinarily moderate all meetings of the congregation. If it is impractical for the pastor to preside, he or she shall invite another teaching elder who is a member of the presbytery or a person authorized by the presbytery to serve as moderator. If there is no installed pastor, or the installed pastor is unable to moderate and/or to name another moderator, the presbytery shall make provision for a moderator.
- 38. G-1.0505 Secretary and Minutes The clerk of session shall serve as secretary for all meetings of the congregation. If the clerk of session is unable to serve, the congregation shall elect a secretary for that meeting. The secretary shall record the actions of the congregation in minutes of the meeting.
Editor's Notes
- #4: This paragraph packs a lot into a very few words. We have already noted the relationship between congregations and the Church. Here we see that the congregation is the basic form of the Church, but – by itself – is not a sufficient form of the Church. Another point to note is that the triune God gives each congregation all that it needs to the Church. Finally we note that as Presbyterians we believe that congregations need each other in the same way that individual Christians need each other.
- #5: The first sentence gathers up the three “rightlys” that we met in the Foundations: proclamation, Sacraments, and community life or discipline. To these tests of the true church this paragraph adds how congregations equip believers for their ministries of witness and service. In addition it points the common life of the congregation as one of service to the world.
- #6: Again we encounter our commitment to a life in covenant with God and each other. We certainly don’t need to be reminded of the necessity of a fellowship marked by trust and love.
- #7: This paragraph is probably put here to respond to the US Supreme Court’s ruling that urged denominations to set out the basis of their constitutions.
- #8: This sets out that the authority of the session over the life of the congregation is intended to help it respond to the Gospel
- #9: In our new Book of Order the Presbytery has great latitude in how it organizes its life and ministry. This paragraph reminds us that however that is done, it needs to be in accord with what is spelled out in the Constitution.
- #11: The only council that can organize a congregation is the presbytery – not the congregation itself or the Synod or GA. Like the presbytery or other councils, congregations are bound by the constitution too.
- #12: Details for organizing congregations are laid out here.
- #13: An application from potential members is needed.
- #14: If the presbytery agrees that is appropriate to organize the congregation, then the congregation elects elders and deacons, the presbytery arranges for the training of these officers and their examination, ordination and installation. The presbytery works with the congregation to secure pastoral leadership, dealing with legal issues, and helping in any other way it can. [Bridge]
- #16: While this is not a full description of baptism, it reminds us that it is the sign of our call to be members of the body of Christ – the Church. Unlike many of our neighbors we do baptize children and understand that this is a profound expression of our faith in the fact that God reaches out to us before we even know it.
- #17: Adult baptism (or affirmation of faith) speaks to our need to respond to the God’s grace. Baptism, dying and rising with Christ, also speaks to what it means to be a follower of Jesus Christ.
- #18: It is no secret that this bold claim has not always been kept – either by design or by neglect. I especially like the last sentence and its link to the way Jesus reached out to others during his earthly ministry.
- #19: Okay, now that we understand a bit better what membership in the church means, how do people join local congregations? The first way is by public profession of faith.
- #20: Other ways are by transfer from another Christian church or (when it is not possible or easy to get a transfer) then people can reaffirm their faith before the session and (later) the congregation. Note that sessions receive members, not congregations. One of the reasons it is rare to see altar calls in Presbyterian churches.
- #21: While the only requirement for church membership is faith in Jesus Christ, that faith carries with it certain obligations and commitments. Here are a few ways that we can carry out our ministry as members:
- #26: The three different categories of members sometimes gives Clerks of Session fits when they have to fill out the annual Sessional Report. Let’s review them so that you can help your clerk in the future.
- #27: While all members are baptized, not everyone who is baptized is an active member. Baptized members (as described here) are those who have been baptized (usually as children) but have not (yet) taken up active membership in a congregation.
- #28: Active members have professed their faith (to the session), have been baptized (either as children, as members of another denomination, or upon their profession of faith in this congregation, and have been received into membership (by the session). [Directory of Worship]
- #29: The same procedure applies to members coming by letter of transfer or by reaffirmation of faith.
- #30: These are the appropriate questions to ask of all who desire to unite with a church. They are in the Book of Common Worship as well.
- #31: How can those who are living away from home (school, business, military) be active in another congregation while keeping their membership in their home congregation? By becoming affiliate members. One thing to note though, they cannot vote in their affiliate congregation or hold office there.
- #32: There are an increasingly large number of folks who take part in the life of our congregations but who have not joined it. We welcome such people and (according to our usual practice) welcome them to the Lord’s Table.
- #34: Note several important points here: Congregations must have annual meetings – what happens there? Special meetings can be called business to be discussed must be in the call only those things appropriate for congregational meetings can take place All active members (and only active) members can vote Each congregation has to set its own quorum
- #35: Congregational meetings are usually called by the session, but the presbytery can also call one. In addition if ¼ of the membership asks for a congregational meeting, the session MUST call one. Again congregations have to set notification rules.
- #36: There used to be 5 things that can take place at a congregational meeting and this was a common ordination question for new pastors. The new Book of Order added one more. Let’s review them:
- #37: Number e. requires that if a church wants to suspend the rotation of elders due to limited number of suitable candidates, the congregation has to request – not just the session. The new item allowable at a congregational meeting deals with joint congregational witness where the congregation agrees to work with another congregation or organization.
- #38: Some of us remember rules whereby if the pastor or other moderator was not able to moderate the session, a member of the session could be chosen to moderate. This is no longer the case. Our presbytery has recognized a number of persons – including CREs – to moderate session meetings when the appointed moderator is not available.
- #39: This is the usual way it was done in the past and is not spelled out in the new book.