what it means to be presbyterian part 4

8/9/2019 What It Means To Be Presbyterian Part 4

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What It Means To Be

Presbyterian

Government


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Where Is There Information

About Government? Book of Order

Divided into Three Parts

Government

Worship

Discipline


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Historic Principles of

Presbyterian Church Order Separation of church and statestate not tell

believers what to believe

Make decisions corporately Seek Truth

There are differences of opinion in the body

People should be elected to office Authority is based on scripture

The body has the right to discipline.


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Historic Principles cont.

In the Presbyterian Church, there aredifferent levels of government including the

Session, the Presbytery, the Synod, andGeneral Assembly

Each level has the right and responsibility tosupervise the lower level

In other words, Presbyteries superviseSessions, Synods supervise Presbyteries etc.


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Different Levels

General Assembly

Synod

Presbytery

Session


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Different Levels

General Assembly

Synod

Presbytery

Session


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Session

Session is made up of the pastor (s) and elders.

Receive members

Provide for worship

Provide growth of members

Supervise different programs in the church

Establish budget

Instruct, examine, ordain, and welcome new elders and deacons

Supervise all ministries in the church including Deacons and Trustees Nominate elders to go to Presbytery Meetings

Keep accurate roll of membership

Send statistical and other information to Presbytery if needed


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Deacons

Minster to those who are sick or in distress

Minster to the friendless

Do duties that are delegated to them by the

Session

In some cases, the Deacons handle the

property matters of the church


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Go Deacs!!!!!


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Trustees

Not ordained

Officers of the Corporation

Receive, hold, and manage property

Handle investment funds

Supervise finances Insurance/Legal aspects


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Different Levels

General Assembly

Synod

Presbytery

Session


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Presbytery of Long Island


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Presbytery of Long Island

Is comprised of all of the churches on LI

Ministers are members of this Presbytery

Coordinate work of the churches

Encourage, guide, and resource individual congregations

Organize new churches

Close churches

Supervise and examine individuals who are preparing for ordination

Serve in judicial matters Work with congregations in conflict

Review Session records

Vote on Book of Order Amendments


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Different Levels

General Assembly

Synod

Presbytery

Session


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Synod of the NorthEast


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Synods

Comprised of Presbyteries in the NE

Develop broad strategies for mission of church

Resource Presbyteries

Review Presbytery Records

Judicial matters

Ecumenical relationships Proposal to get rid of this level


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Different Levels

General Assembly

Synod

Presbytery

Session


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General Assembly

Meets every two years

Develop overall objectives and mission for church

Oversee an administrative service to assist in ministry

Establish agencies and task forces to oversee its work

Establish budget

Review records of synods

Serve in judicial matters

Vote in matters pertaining to change in Book of Order Provide an authoritative interpretation of Book of Order

Ecumenical relationships

Mission


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Property


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Is owned

By the Presbyterian Church (USA)

Judicial nightmare today


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Questions?


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How do we change the Book of

Order Its a challenge!!!

Presbytery proposes an amendment to GA

Goes to the Advisory Committee on Constitution

Advisory Committee reports its findings to the

GA, and a recommendation to accept or decline

GA votes Goes back to PresbyteryPresbyteries must vote

within one year of GAmajority rules.

what it means to be presbyterian part 4

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