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If you understand the way the American form of government works, then you already well on you way to understanding the Presbyterian form of government. The government of the United States was modeled largely on the basis of Presbyterianism. The PCA's representative form of church government is rooted in the Scriptures and expressed in its name -- Presbyterian. We base this form of government on various passages in the Bible which set this as the pattern of government in the Old Testament (Exodus 18:21-23), and the same pattern was continued in the New Testament as well (Acts 14:23; 1 Timothy 5:17; Titus 1:5). Local churches in the PCA are governed by Elders (presbyters) and Deacons elected by the church members. These church officers make most of the necessary decisions on behalf of the membership. In the Presbyterian form of government no single officer may make a decision, but instead decisions are made on a collective basis by the elders; known as the Session. This form of government extends through the regional presbyteries and to the national General Assembly, which expresses the PCA's connectionalism; that is to say, the bond of union between and among all our churches. Return to Top The elders are called to direct the affairs of the church. The elders pray for members of the congregation, provide spiritual guidance for the congregation, oversee the faithful preaching of the Word and worship services, oversee the teaching of the Word in all other church ministries, establish and oversee Christian Education, appoint representatives to higher courts (Presbytery, General Assembly), have oversight, serve communion, exercise church discipline, examine ruling elders and deacons nominated by the church, examine the records and budget of the church, approve actions of special importance affecting church property, call congregational meetings and perform other duties to direct the affairs of the church.
CHAPTER 7. Church Officers-General Classification. 7-2. The ordinary and perpetual classes of office in the Church are elders and deacons. Within the class of elder are the two orders of teaching elders and ruling elders. The elders jointly have the government and spiritual oversight of the church, including teaching. Only those elders who are specially gifted, called and trained by God to preach may serve as teaching elders. The office of deacon is not one of rule, but rather of service both to the physical and spiritual needs of the people. In accord with Scripture, these offices are open to men only. 7-3. No one who holds office in the church ought to usurp authority therein, or receive any official titles of spiritual preeminence, except such as are employed in the Scriptures.
CHAPTER 8.The Elder. 8-2. He that fills this office should possess a competency of human learning and be blameless in life, sound in the faith and apt to teach. He should exhibit a sobriety and holiness of life becoming the Gospel. He should rule his own house well and should have a good report of them that are outside the church. 8-3. It belongs to the office of elder, both severally and jointly, to watch diligently over the flock committed to their charge, that no corruption of doctrine or of morals enter therein. They must exercise government and discipline, and take oversight not only of the spiritual interests of the particular church, but also the church generally when called thereunto. They should visit the people at their homes, especially the sick. They should instruct the ignorant, comfort the mourner, nourish and guard the children of the church. They should set a worthy example to the flock entrusted to their care by their zeal to evangelize the unconverted and make disciples. All those duties which private Christians are bound to discharge by the law of love are especially incumbent upon them by divine vocation, and are to be discharged as official duties. They should pray with and for the people, being careful and diligent in seeking the fruit of the preached Word among the flock. 8-4. As the Lord has given different gifts to men and has committed to some special gifts and callings, the church is authorized to call and appoint some to labor as teaching elders in such works as may be needful to the church. When a teaching elder is called to such needful work, it shall be incumbent upon him to make full proof of his ministry by disseminating the Gospel for the edification of the church. He shall make a report to the Presbytery at least once each year. 8-5. When a man is called to labor as a teaching elder, it belongs to his order, in addition to those functions he shares with all other elders, to feed the flock by reading, expounding and preaching the Word of God and to administer the Sacraments. As he is sent to declare the will of God to sinners, and to beseech them to be reconciled to God through Christ, he is termed ambassador. As he bears glad tidings of salvation to the ignorant and perishing, he is termed evangelist. As he stands to proclaim the Gospel, he is termed preacher. As he dispenses the manifold grace of God, and the ordinances instituted by Christ, he is termed steward of the mysteries of God. 8-6. When a teaching elder is appointed to the work of an evangelist, he is commissioned to preach the Word and administer the Sacraments in foreign countries or the destitute parts of the church. The Presbytery may by separate acts from that by which it commissioned him, entrust to the evangelist for a period of twelve months the power to organize churches, and, until there is a Session in the church so organized, to instruct, examine, ordain, and install ruling elders and deacons therein, and to receive or dismiss members. 8-7. A Presbytery may, at its discretion, approve the call of a teaching elder to work with an organization outside the jurisdiction of the Presbyterian Church in America, provided that he be engaged in preaching and teaching the Word, that the Presbytery be assured he will have full freedom to maintain and teach the doctrine of our Church, and that he report at least annually on his work. As far as possible, such a teaching elder shall be a member of the Presbytery within whose bounds he labors. 8-8. As there were in the Church under the law, elders of the people for the government thereof, so in the Gospel church, Christ has furnished others besides ministers of the Word with gifts and commission to govern when called thereunto, which are called ruling elders. 8-9. Elders being of one class of office, ruling elders possess the same authority and eligibility to office in the courts of the church as teaching elders. They should, moreover, cultivate zealously their own aptness to teach the Bible and should improve every opportunity of doing so. The elders are called to direct the affairs of the church. The following is a list of some of the general ministries of the elders. Please visit the teaching elders [link to Meet Our Pastor page] and ruling elders [Link to explanation of mission status]to learn of their specific ministries.
Return to Top The office of deacon is described in the scriptures as one of sympathy and service. It is our desire to serve the Lord and His church by helping to meet the needs of people in our congregation and community. The Diaconate is responsible for collecting the gifts of the congregation and for distributing them to those in need. In addition, the deacons facilitate the ministry of the church by maintaining the buildings and grounds, ushering, preparing the sanctuary for worship, recording the gifts of the congregation, and other tasks that are intended to free the elders to pursue prayer and the ministry of the word. Finally, it is our desire to encourage others in the church to use their talents and gifts to serve the Lord together with us.
9-1. The office of deacon is set forth in the Scriptures as ordinary and perpetual in the Church. The office is one of sympathy and service, after the example of the Lord Jesus; it expresses also the communion of saints, especially in their helping one another in time of need. 9-2. 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. They shall have the care of the property of the congregation, both real and personal, and shall keep in proper repair the church edifice and other buildings belonging to the congregation. In matters of special importance affecting the property of the church, they cannot take final action without the approval of the Session and consent of the congregation. In the discharge of their duties the deacons are under the supervision and authority of the Session. In a church in which it is impossible for any reason to secure deacons, the duties of the office shall devolve upon the ruling elders. 9-3. To the office of deacon, which is spiritual in nature, shall be chosen men of spiritual character, honest repute, exemplary lives, brotherly spirit, warm sympathies, and sound judgment. 9-4. The deacons of a particular church shall be organized as a Board, of which the pastor shall be an advisory member. The Board shall elect a chairman and a secretary from their number and a treasurer to whom shall be entrusted the funds for the current expenses of the church. It shall meet separately at least once a quarter, and whenever requested by the Session. The Board of each church shall determine the number necessary for a quorum. The Board shall keep a record of its proceedings, and of all funds and their distribution, and shall submit its minutes to the Session regularly, and at other times upon request of the Session. It is desirable that the Session and the Board of Deacons meet in joint session once a quarter to confer on matters of common interest. 9-5. Deacons may properly be appointed by the higher courts to serve on committees, especially as treasurers. It is suitable also that they be appointed trustees of any fund held by any of the Church courts. It may also be helpful for the church courts, when devising plans of church finance, to invite wise and consecrated deacons to their councils. 9-6. The deacons may, with much advantage, hold conference from time to time for the discussion of the interests committed to them. Such conferences may include representatives of churches covering areas of smaller or larger extent. Any actions taken by these conferences shall have only an advisory character. 9-7. It is often expedient that the Session of a church should select and appoint godly men and women of the congregation to assist the deacons in caring for the sick, the widows, the orphans, the prisoners, and others who may be in any distress or need. Return to "Deacons"
"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." The diaconate manages a fund to assist needy individuals in our church and community to help cover emergencies needs for basic living expenses.
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