Question e - Polity and Discipline

Presbyterians do not place much authority with individuals because we believe that humans are sinful and prone to “idolatry and tyranny” (BOO, F-2.05). Therefore, presbyters gather in “councils,” the governing units of the denomination, to make decisions and connect us to each other. These four councils, from the most local to the most inclusive, are called session, presbytery, synod, and General Assembly (BOO, F-3.0203). At meetings of the presbytery, synod, and General Assembly, we strive to have equal numbers of teaching elders and ruling elders.

Councils exist to help congregations and the whole church “be more faithful participants in the mission of Christ” (BOO, G-3.0101). This faithfulness is expressed by the notes of the true church found in The Scots Confession (Book of Confessions [BOC], 3.18). The true church, it teaches, is found wherever

 

The Book of Order assigns particular responsibilities to each of the councils (F-3.0203) framed in light of the notes of the church (above). For instance, the session is the council responsible for the life of a congregation. Only the session can determine the program and budget of its congregation and ordain ruling elders and deacons. The presbytery is composed of churches and ministers of the Word and Sacrament within a certain district. Only the presbytery can ordain teaching elders. The synod is an intermediate council supporting the work of presbyteries within its region. The role of synods varies greatly across the denomination. The General Assembly is the most inclusive council, leading and guiding the witness of the whole church and adopting constitutional interpretations. Though the councils are distinct, the action of one of them is an act of the whole church (BOO, F-3.0203). For instance, a ruling elder ordained by one session is a ruling elder for the whole church; a teaching elder ordained by one presbytery is a teaching elder for the whole church.

When presbyters are gathered in councils, they are called commissioners, not representatives or delegates. They seek together to discern and carry out the will of Christ, not simply the council or congregation from which they come (BOO, F-3.0204). Because of this principle—and unlike our secular governments—we do not keep voting records of our commissioners. Desiring to seek Christ’s will, each meeting of a council or congregation opens and closes with prayer (BOO, G-3.0105).

When councils meet, decisions are made by majority vote after an orderly process that allows for discussion and discernment (BOO, F-3.0205). The most recent edition of Roberts’ Rules of Order, Newly Revised is the tool we use to guide the conduct of our meetings (BOO, G-3.0105).

There is no assumption that presbyters will hold the same opinion on a topic. Since 1788, our constitution has contained language admitting that we do not always agree—“… there are truths and forms with respect to which men of good characters and principles may differ. And in all these we think it the duty both of private Christians and societies to exercise mutual forbearance toward each other” (BOO, F-3.0105, The archaic use of “men” to refer to people in general is a reflection of the eighteenth century origin of this quotation). The Form of Government provides a means by which we can register our differences with the decision of a council in which we have voted. “Dissent” expresses disagreement with a decision made. “Protest” alleges that a council made a decision that was in error and supports that position with written reasons (BOO, G-3.0105a and b).

Presbyterians believe that

“… God alone is Lord of the conscience, and hath left it free from the doctrines and commandments of men which are in anything contrary to his Word, or beside it, in matters of faith or worship. b. Therefore we consider the rights of private judgment, in all matters that respect religion, as universal and unalienable …” (BOO, F-3.0101). Nevertheless, we recognize that for the health of the church those who serve in ordered ministries must “adhere to the essentials of the Reformed faith and polity as expressed in this Constitution (BOO, G-2.0105). It is up to each council to determine whether a particular matter of conscience is a departure from these essentials of faith and polity (BOO, G-2.0105).

For Reflection and Discussion:

In your background, have you had experience with other forms of church polity? What are the significant differences that you have noticed?

What do you see as benefits to the councils of the PC(USA)?

Interactive map of synods and presbyteries