Book Of Church Order Pca Ordination Exam (Full)

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 the principles of Presbyterian church government

Back 2

1. God alone is Lord of the CONSCIENCE
2. Each BODY has the right to determine its qualifications and government
3. Christ appointed OFFICERS
4. Godliness is founded on TRUTH.

5. Mutual TOLERANCE (forbearance)
6. Each particular body has a right to ELECT its own officers.
7. Church POWER is only ministerial and declarative, not legislative.
8. Church DISCIPLINE must be purely moral and spiritual.

Hint 2

iCeBOaT TEPiD

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

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?
Upon whom is it vested?
What is this power used to do?

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)

Hint 6

APE

Front 7

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

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

Elders and Deacons (BCO 7-2)

Front 12

What are the qualifications for an elder?

Back 12

Teach (apt to)

Household

Reputation

Faith (sound)

Learning (human)

Gospel Living (blameless, holy, and sober)

Hint 12

THRow FLaG

Front 13

What are an elder's duties?

Back 13

Discipline and government

Example in life and evangelism

Comfort mourners

Oversee church and PCA

Drop by and visit

Instruct ignorant

Nourish children

Guard children

Suplicate for flock

Seek fruit from flock

Hint 13

Decodingss

Front 14

– How are ruling and teaching elders different?

Back 14

*TE are only those elders who are specially gifted, called and trained by God to preach(BCO 8–4) *TE feeds flock by reading, expounding, and preaching the word of God *TE Administers the sacraments (BCO 8–5)

Front 15

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

Back 15

*The class of elder is one class only.

*They possess the same authority in the courts of the church.

*Both, (but especially the Teaching Elders) are called to teach the Bible. (BCO 8–9).

Front 16

What are the duties of deacons?

Back 16

*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 17

– What are the qualifications for deacons?

Back 17

Character, spiritual

Reputation, honest

Discernment (judgment), sound

Lives, exemplary

Sympathies, warm

Spirit, brotherly

(BCO 9–3)

Hint 17

CoRDLeSS

Front 18

Name the courts of the church

Back 18

– Session – Presbyteries – General Assembly

Front 19

What is the proper or original jurisdiction of each court?

Back 19

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

Front 20

What officers must each court have?

Back 20

Moderator & Clerk

Front 21

How are the officers of church courts chosen?

Back 21

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 22

How is a man called to office in the church?

Back 22

• 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 of the church agrees and is satisfied that he is qualified. BCO 16–2. –BCO 16..1 –3

Front 23

What is a candidate for the gospel ministry?

Back 23

• 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 24

What is required to become a candidate for gospel ministry?

Back 24

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 25

What is a licentiate?

Back 25

A person examined and permitted to preach regularly within the pulpits of the PCA with the authority of the presbytery of the jurisdiction where he will preach(BCO 19–1)

Front 26

In what areas is a prospective licentiate examined?

Back 26

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 27

What is internship

Back 27

• 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 28

What steps must a church take in calling a pastor?

Back 28

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 29

In what areas must a candidate for ordination be examined?

Back 29

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 (BCO)
9. Paper on a Theological subject
10. Paper on Exegesis (using Greek and Hebrew)
11. Preach a sermon.

Front 30

What vows must one take in his ordination?

Back 30

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.

Hint 30

3 submissions, 2 promises, 1 commitment, 1 willing, 1 perception

Front 31

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

Back 31

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

Front 32

How may a pastoral relation be dissolved?

Back 32

1. Pastor submits resignation to presbytery.
2. Presbytery contacts congregation.
3. A congregational meeting has been called and conducted.
4. Presbytery hears delegate from congregation.
5. Is accepted if delegate fails to appear or fails to show reason to deny resignation.

Front 33

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

Back 33

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 34

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

Back 34

1. (Optional) If 25% of eligible voters ask for additional officers, the session shall call the meeting.
2. Nominations are opened, congregation being mindful of 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1.
4. Congregation asked to submit names to session.
5. Session shall examine those nominated.
6. Session shall present list of qualified nominees to congregation, with 30 days notice of election meeting.
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 35

In what areas is a nominee for the office of Ruling Elder and Deacon to be examined?

Back 35

1. Christian experience (especially personal character).
2. Doctrine,
3. 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 36

How may a congregational meeting be called?

Back 36

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

Front 37

Who can vote at a congregational meeting?

Back 37

Communing members of a particular church
BCO 25.1

Front 38

What officers are required at a congregational meeting

Back 38

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

Front 39

Who owns the property of the local church?

Back 39

The local church

BCO 25–8

Front 40

How may the Book of Church Order be amended?

Back 40

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

Front 41

How may the doctrinal standards be amended?

Back 41

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

Front 42

What portions of the BCO cannot be amended?

Back 42

All sections of the BCO may be amended

Front 43

What is church discipline?

Back 43

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.

Hint 43

AP WIG

Front 44

What is the broad sense of church discipline?

Back 44

Broadly, the one referring to the whole government, training, and guardianship.
BCO 27–1

Front 45

What is the narrow sense of church discipline?

Back 45

Narrowly, judicial process.
BCO 27–1

Front 46

What is the goal of church discipline?

Back 46

Glory of God

Reclaiming Sinners

Purity of Church

Edification of Church

BCO 27-3

Hint 46

GRaPE

Front 47

What are the proper steps of church discipline?

Back 47

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 48

Who is primarily responsible for disciplining non–communing members?

Back 48

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

Front 49

List and define church censures.

Back 49

• 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 50

With what court should charges be filed?

Back 50

–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 51

What must be done before the formal charges are brought?

Back 51

–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 52

When must a formal judicial process be pursued? And what must the court do?

Back 52

–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 53

How many witnesses are required?

Back 53

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

Front 54

How should a censure be administered?

Back 54

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

Front 55

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

Back 55

–Repentance and restoration to the body

Front 56

Define "review and control".

Back 56

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

Hint 56

CCCC

Front 57

Define "reference".

Back 57

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

Front 58

Define "appeal".

Back 58

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

Front 59

How quickly must an appeal be filed?

Back 59

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

Front 60

Define "complaint".

Back 60

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

Front 61

How quickly must a complaint be filed?

Back 61

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

Front 62

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

Back 62

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

Front 63

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

Back 63

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 64

What is an associate member?

Back 64

• 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 65

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

Back 65

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

Front 66

What rule guides public worship?
What does it command?

Back 66

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

Hint 66

ROPE off Worship and Ordinances

Front 67

What is the purpose of public worship?

Back 67

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 68

–What are the proper elements of worship?

Back 68

1. Reading of Scripture
2. Singing of psalms and hymns
3. Prayer
4. Preaching of the Word
5. Presentation of offerings
6. Confession of Faith
7. Observing the Sacraments
8. On Special occasions taking oaths.

Front 69

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

Back 69

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

Front 70

Who is responsible for deciding who preaches in a church?

Back 70

The session
–BCO 53–6

Front 71

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

Back 71

+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 72

Who admits people to the Lord's Supper?

Back 72

The Session

Front 73

What vows are made in a profession of faith?

Back 73

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

Front 74

Permanent Committees and Agencies of the PCA

Back 74

1. Administrative Committee

2. Committee on Discipleship Ministries (CDM)

3. Covenant College

4. Covenant Theological Seminary

5. Mission to North America (MNA)

6. Mission to the World (MTW)

7. PCA Foundation

8. PCA Retirement and Benefits (RBI)

9. Reformed University Ministries (RUM)

10. Ridge Haven Conference and Retreat Center