Book Of Church Order Pca Ordination Exam

Front 1

I. Who is the head of the church? How does he exercise his authority?

Back 1

Christ alone.
By His Word and Spirit.
By His appointed officers, under the above.

Front 2

List at least two key principles of Presbyterian church government

Back 2

1. God alone is Lord of the conscience.
2. Every church, or body, has the right to determine its qualifications for its members.
3. Christ himself has appointed officers in his church.
4. Godliness is founded on truth.
5. Teachers should be sound in the faith.
6. Each particular body has a right to elect its own officers.
7. Church power is only ministerial and declarative and therefore not legislative.
8. Church discipline must be purely moral and spiritual in nature and therefore not civil.

Front 3

Can the church “bind” men's consciences? Why or why not?

Back 3

"No church judicatory may make laws to bind the conscience.”
Human courts are fallible.
Church’s power is declarative and ministerial.

Front 4

What is the Constitution of the Presbyterian Church in America.

Back 4

In Subjection to the Scriptures:
- WCF
- Larger & Shorter Catechisms
- BCO

Front 5

2. What is the visible church? Who are its members?

Back 5

The visible church consists of all who make profession of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and their children with them.
BCO 2-1

Front 6

What is the power of the church?

Back 6

The power of the church is exclusively spiritual. The power which Christ has committed to his church is vested in the whole body.
This power is to proclaim, to administer, and to enforce the law of Christ revealed in the Scriptures.
BCO 3, esp 3.1; 3.3; 3.4)

Front 7

How does the church's power it differ from that of the state?

Back 7

• Church: Power exclusively spiritual.
Constitution derived from a higher source
• State: Includes the use of force
Derives from human reason and the course of
providential events
(BCO 3-4)

Front 8

What is a particular church?

Back 8

Local congregation with a permanent governing body
(BCO 5-1)

Front 9

What is a mission church?

Back 9

A mission church is a local congregation with no permanent governing body and thus must be governed or supervised by others.
[Goal is to mature and be organized as a particular church as soon as this can be done decently and in good order (BCO 5-1)]

Front 10

What two kinds of members does the church have? What are their respective rights and privileges?

Back 10

• Communing- all rights and privileges of the church (voting, office holding, and admission to the Lord’s table) (BCO 6-2, 6-4)
• Non-communing members- entitled to baptism, pastoral oversight, instruction, and government of the church (BCO 6-1)
• Associate members- all the rights and privileges of the church except voting in congregational meetings and holding office in that church (6-4)

Front 11

What permanent officers has Christ given to his church?

Back 11

Ruling Elders, Teaching Elders and Deacons (BCO 7-2)

Front 12

What are the qualifications for an elder?

Back 12

Character and Knowledge:
*Competency of human learning
*Blameless life
*Sound in faith
*Apt to teach
*Sobriety and holiness of life becoming of the gospel
*Rules his own house well
*Have a good report of those outside the church (BCO 8-2)

Front 13

What are an elder's duties?

Back 13

*Watch over the flock committed to their charge in doctrine and morality
*Exercise government and discipline
*Oversight of both the local church and the "general" church
*Visitation (especially of sick), instruction, comforting, nourishing, and guarding the children of the church.
*Set worthy examples for the rest of the church
*Love, pray with and for people (BCO 8-3)

Front 14

- How are ruling and teaching elders alike?

Back 14

Duties of office:
*Watch over the flock committed to their charge in doctrine and morality
*Exercise government and discipline
*Oversight of both the local church and the "general" church
*Visitation (especially of sick), instruction, comforting, nourishing, and guarding the children of the church.
*Set worthy examples for the rest of the church
*Love, pray with and for people (BCO 8-3)

Front 15

- How are ruling and teaching elders different?

Back 15

Only those elders who are specially gifted, called and trained by God to preach may serve as teaching elders (BCO 8-4)
*TE feeds flock by reading, expounding, and preaching the word of God
*Administers the sacraments (BCO 8-5)
*Christ furnishes Ruling Elders with gifts and commission to govern (BCO 8-8)

Front 16

- What is meant by the "parity" of ruling and teaching elders?

Back 16

The class of elder is one class only.
They possess the same authority and eligibility to office in the courts of the church.
Both, (but especially the Teaching Elders) are called to teach the Bible.
(BCO 8-9).

Front 17

. What are the duties of deacons?

Back 17

*Not an office of rule, but rather of service both to the physical and spiritual needs of the people
*Ministers to those in need, the sick, the friendless, and any in distress
*Devise methods to collect the gifts of the congregation
*Keep church in proper (physical) repair (BCO 9-2).

Front 18

- What are the qualifications for deacons?

Back 18

*Men of spiritual character
*Honest repute
*Exemplary lives
*Brotherly Spirit
*Warm sympathies
*Sound judgement (BCO 9-3)

Front 19

Name the courts of the church

Back 19

- Session
- Presbyteries
- General Assembly

Front 20

• What is the proper or original jurisdiction of each?

Back 20

Each court exercises original jurisdiction over its own business (i.e., people).

Front 21

• What officers must each court have?

Back 21

Moderator
Clerk

Front 22

• How are they chosen?

Back 22

Except for the moderator of the session (which is the pastor by prudence of his office) they are elected by the body, which they will serve.

Front 23

How is a man called to office in the church?

Back 23

• The individual-through the inward testimony of a good conscience as a calling of the Spirit.
• The church-declaring it believes the man is called and it wants him to serve.
• The Court-a court of the church agrees and is satisfied that he is qualified.
• A call to a church office is based on being elected by the congregation-BCO 16-2.
-BCO 16..1 -3

Front 24

What is a candidate?

Back 24

• A member of the church in full communion
• Believes himself to be called to preach the Gospel.
• Submits himself to the care and guidance of the Presbytery in his course of study and of practical training to prepare himself for this office. "-BCO 18-1

Front 25

What is required to become a candidate?

Back 25

1. Session endorsement
2. Member at least six months
3. File with clerk at least two months before presbytery meeting-BCO 18-2
4. Appear before Presbytery in person.
5. Be examined on experiential religion and motive for seeking ministry .-BCO 18-3

Front 26

What is a licentiate?

Back 26

A licentiate is a person examined and permitted to preach within the pulpits of the PCA with the authority of the presbytery of the jurisdiction where he will preach.
"To preserve the purity of the preaching of the Gospel, no man is permitted to preach in the pulpits of the Presbyterian Church in America on a regular basis without proper licensure from the Presbytery having jurisdiction where he will preach. "-BCO 19-1

Front 27

In what areas is a prospective licentiate examined?

Back 27

1. Christian experience and inward call.
2. Written or oral: Theology (Westminster Standards), English Bible, and Book of Church Order .
3. Orally before Presbytery: on same as above.
4. Provide written sermon and deliver it before Presbytery.-BCO 19-2

Front 28

What is internship

Back 28

• Trial is made in regard to the use of gifts and ability to serve as a teaching elder.
• Lasts at least one year.
• Nature of it is determined by the presbytery.
• It should involve the candidate in the full scope of duties of any regular ministerial calling.
-BCO 19- 7

Front 29

What steps must a church take in calling a pastor?

Back 29

1. Session calls a meeting to elect a search committee. 34-BCO 20-2
2. Committee shall recommend a qualified individual to congregation.
3. A congregational meeting must be called for the election of the pastor-BCO 20-3

Front 30

. In what areas must a candidate for ordination be examined?

Back 30

1. Experiential religion
2. Knowledge of Greek and Hebrew
3. English Bible
4. Theology
5. Sacraments
6. Church history
7. History of the Presbyterian Church in America
8. Government and Discipline
9. Paper on a Theological subject
10. Paper on Exegesis (using Greek and Hebrew)
11. Preach a sermon.

Front 31

What vows must he take?

Back 31

1. Commitment to the inerrant, infallible Bible.
2. Submission to the Confession and Catechisms.
3. Submission to the form of Church government.
4. Submission to your brethren.
5. Perceive yourself called of God.
6. Promise to maintain the truth of the Gospel and the purity and peace of the church.
7. Promise to fully exercise your duties.
8. Willing to take charge of the church. J5

Front 32

Who has the final say in establishing or dissolving a pastoral relationship?

Back 32

The Presbytery has the final say in establishing or dissolving pastoral relations.

Front 33

How may a pastoral relation be dissolved?

Back 33

A presbytery accepts the resignation of a minister after a congregational meeting has been called and conducted, and its commissioners then appear before the presbytery to show cause why the presbytery should or should not accept the resignation of the pastor.

Front 34

What is the difference between an associate pastor and an assistant pastor?

Back 34

The associate pastor is called by the congregation and as such becomes a member of the Session and his pastoral relation is determined by the congregation. The assistant pastor is called by the Session and his pastoral relation to the church is determined by them.

Front 35

What steps must be followed in electing ruling elders or deacons?

Back 35

1. Public notice given of congregational meeting for election.
2. If 25% of eligible voters ask for additional officers, the session shall call the meeting.
3. Notice given as least one month before election
4. Congregation asked to submit names to session.
5. Session shall examine those nominated.
6. Session shall present list of nominees to congregation.
7. Session recommends congregation determines the number of officers to be elected.
8. Majority vote of those present needed for election.
9. Moderator asks congregation if it is ready to proceed to voting is done by private ballot.-BCO 24-1,4,5

Front 36

- In what areas is a nominee to be examined?

Back 36

1. Christian experience (especially personal character).
2. Knowledge of doctrine, Church government, discipline contained in the Constitution of the Presbyterian Church in America (BCO preface ill)
3. Duties of office to which he is nominated.
4. Willingness to give assent to the question required for ordination.-BCO 24-1

Front 37

How may a congregational meeting be called?

Back 37

• Session decision, or response to written notice by fraction of church.
• Public Notice a Week in Advance
• Only notified business.
(25.2)

Front 38

Who can vote at a congregational meeting?

Back 38

Communing members of a particular church
BCO 25.1

Front 39

What officers are required at a congregational meeting

Back 39

Moderator (Pastor or elected person)
Clerk (elected person)

Front 40

Who owns the property of the local church?

Back 40

The local church

BCO 25-8

Front 41

How may the Book of Church Order be amended?

Back 41

1. Approval of majority at General Assembly
2. Consent of 2/3 Presbyteries
3. Approval of majority at subsequent General Assembly

Front 42

How may the doctrinal standards be amended?

Back 42

1. Approval of ¾ majority at General Assembly
2. Consent of ¾ Presbyteries
3. Approval of ¾ majority at subsequent General Assembly

Front 43

What portions of the BCO cannot be amended?

Back 43

All sections of the BCO may be amended

Front 44

What is church discipline?
What are it's two senses?

Back 44

The exercise of authority given the church by the Lord Jesus Christ to instruct and guide its members and to promote its purity and welfare.
a. Broadly, the one referring to the whole government, training, and guardianship.
b. Narrowly, Judicial process.
-BCO 27-1

Front 45

What is the goal of church discipline?

Back 45

a. the glory of God,
b. The purity and edification of His Church,
c. The keeping and reclaiming of disobedient sinners. Discipline is for the purpose of godliness
(1 Timothy 4: 7)
BCO 27-3

Front 46

What are the proper steps of church discipline?

Back 46

a. Instruction in the Word;
b. Individual's responsibility to admonish one another (Matthew 18: 15, Galatians 6: 1);
c. If the admonition is rejected, then the calling of one or more witnesses (Matthew 18: 16);
d. If rejection persists, then the Church must act through her court unto admonition, suspension, excommunication and deposition
BCO 27-5

Front 47

Who is primarily responsible for disciplining non-communing members?

Back 47

• Primarily their parents.
(1 Timothy 4: 7)
-BCO 28-1

Front 48

List and define church censures.

Back 48

• Admonition: Formal reproof of an offender
• Suspension from sacraments: the temporary exclusion from those ordinances (indefinite).
• Suspension from office: exclusion of a church officer from his office (definite or indefinite duration).
• Excommunication: excision of an offender from the communion of the church.
• Deposition-degradation of an officer from office (with/without other censure).

Front 49

With what court should charges be filed?

Back 49

-With the court of original jurisdiction which rests with the body in which a person is a member. (Straight forward.)
Except BCO 33-1, 34-1.”

Front 50

What must be done before the formal charges are brought?

Back 50

-Sessions and Presbyteries must determine from such persons satisfactory explanations concerning reports affecting their Christian character.

(This duty is more imperative when those who deem themselves aggrieved by injurious reports shall ask an investigation ...")-BCO 31-2

Front 51

When must a formal judicial process be pursued?

Back 51

-When the court finds through investigation a strong presumption of guilt in the party involved.
-"...The court shall . . . appoint a prosecutor [Member of court or congregation, respectively] to prepare the indictment and to conduct the case."
-BCO 31-2

Front 52

How many witnesses are required?

Back 52

-More than one
-Or one witness with corroborative evidence
-BCO 35-3

Front 53

How should a censure be administered?

Back 53

With all tenderness and in a spirit of meekness
-Suited to the nature of the offenses
- See BCO 36 for details

Front 54

What is the goal of discipline in regard to the offender?

Back 54

-Repentance and restoration to the body

Front 55

Define "review and control".

Back 55

Every court above the session is to review the records of the court next below in the areas of :
1. Correct recording.
2. Regular and in accordance with the constitution.
3. Suited to promote the welfare of the Church.
4. Lawful junctions of the high court have been obeyed.
-BCO 40-1,2

Front 56

Define "reference".

Back 56

A formal request for advice from a lower court to a higher court.
BCO 41-1

Front 57

Define "appeal".

Back 57

A transfer to he next higher court of a judicial case which has been ruled on by a lower court.
-BCO 42-1

Front 58

How quickly must an appeal be filed?

Back 58

Within 30 days following the meeting of the court.
-BCO 42-4

Front 59

Define "complaint".

Back 59

A written representation made against some act or decision of a court of the Church-
-BCO 43-1.

Front 60

How quickly must a complaint be filed?

Back 60

Within 30 days of the meeting of the court.
-BCO 43-2

Front 61

What should happen when a member moves out of the community?

Back 61

That member should transfer his membership to his new church.
-BCO 46-1

Front 62

What should be done when a member neglects the church a year or more?

Back 62

They shall be notified, if possible, both in person and in writing of their covenant obligations and that if they persist they will be removed from the rolls.

Front 63

What is an associate member?

Back 63

• A temporary member who is primarily a member of another congregation.
• May not vote or hold office where he is an associative member.
-BCO 46-4

Front 64

What parts of the Directory For Worship have constitutional authority (if any)

Back 64

“… BCO 56 on baptism, 57 on sealing ordinaces, and 58 on the Lord's supper.

Front 65

What rule guides public worship?
What does it command?

Back 65

The Scriptures.
No worshipping of God by images, or in any other way not appointed in His Word
Requires the receiving, observing, and keeping pure and entire all appointed religious worship and ordinances.
(WSC 51,50) "-BCO 47-1

Front 66

What is the purpose of public worship?

Back 66

1. To glorify God.
2. Public worship has as its aim the building of Christ 's Church by the perfecting of the saints and the addition to its membership to the glory of God.
3. Christians should learn to serve God all the days of the week and to do all to the glory of God.
(1 Corinthians 10:31). "-BCO47-3

Front 67

-What are the proper elements of worship?

Back 67

Reading of Scripture
Singing of psalms and hymns
Prayer
Preaching of the Word
Presentation of offerings
Confession of Faith
Observing the Sacraments
On Special occasions taking oaths.

Front 68

In brief, how ought we to keep the Lord's Day?

Back 68

By keeping it holy, participating in public and private worship, and resting.

Front 69

Who is responsible for deciding who preaches in a church?

Back 69

The session
-BCO 53-6

Front 70

What vows do parents make at the baptism of their children? (summarize)

Back 70

Set before him a godly example

Pray with and for him

Teach him the doctrines of true religion

Strive to bring him up in the admonition of the Lord

Front 71

Who admits people to the Lord's Supper?

Back 71

The Session

Front 72

What vows are made in a profession of faith?

Back 72

Same vows as those made by communicant members:

Acknowledgement of sin and need of salvation in Christ

Endeavor to live as becomes a believer

Promise to support the church and submit to its authority and discipline