Eco Pres Ordination Polity And Discipline: Rules Of Discipline

Front 1

What is the purpose of church discipline?

Back 1

It is redemptive: to correct and restrain sin; to help the spiritual growth of people; to achieve justice and compassion for all participants involved; to correct or restrain wrongdoing in order to bring members to repentance and restoration; and to correct the weaknesses, mistakes, and offenses of individuals and councils.

Front 2

What are appropriate reasons for church discipline?

Back 2

Actions contrary to the faith and practice to which, according to Scripture, all Christians are called, or which are contrary to the Constitution of ECO

Front 3

What is the duty of each member?

Back 3

To "come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are on the way to the court..." (Matthew 5:25) and to try to bring about an adjustment or settlement of the offense

Front 4

What are the two types of judicial processes?

Back 4

1) Remedial
2) Disciplinary

Front 5

What is the remedial process?

Back 5

One in which an erroneous decision or action, or an omission or failure to act may be corrected by a council with higher or wider authority

Front 6

What is the disciplinary process?

Back 6

One in which a church member or an officer may be censured for an offense.

Front 7

With whom does the responsibility and authority for discipline in a church and pastors rest?

Back 7

In a church it is with the session. For pastors it is with the presbytery.

Front 8

Who handles remedial cases and appeals?

Back 8

The presbytery and the synod

Front 9

What happens if an officer or member renounces the jurisdiction of the church?

Back 9

The judicial process ends and the clerk reports the status to the governing body.

Front 10

Describe a judicial commission

Back 10

Each presbytery elects a permanent judicial commission from the pastors and elders within the presbytery. Once 5 presbyteries have been established, the synod elects a permanent judicial commission.

Front 11

What is the term for a member of a permanent judicial commission?

Back 11

Six years, elected in three classes, with no more than one half of the members in one class.

Front 12

How long is it until someone who has served on the judicial commission is once again eligible to serve?

Back 12

A minimum of four years

Front 13

What is the quorum of a judicial commission?

Back 13

The majority of the members

Front 14

How is a remedial case initiated?

Back 14

By the filing of a complaint with the stated clerk of the governing body having jurisdiction.

Front 15

What must the complaint allege?

Back 15

1) An erroneous decision or action, or
2) An omission or falure to act

Front 16

Who is eligible to file a remedial complaint?

Back 16

1) A pastor or an elder enrolled as a member of a presbytery, against that presbytery and the complaint is filed with the synod
2) A session against the presbytery, and the complaint is filed with the synod
3) Any council against any other council fo the same level, and the complaint is filed with the council immediately wider than the council complained against
4) A member of the church against the session of that church, and the complaint is filed with the presbytery

Front 17

What happens when an alleged offense of sexual abuse toward any person under the age of 18, or who it is alleged lacked the mental capacity to consent is received against a pastor?

Back 17

The moderator of the judicial commission shall within three days designate two members of presbytery (who aren't part of the investigating committee) to determine whether the accused shall be placed on a paid administrative leave during the resolution of the matter.

Front 18

What is the responsibility of the investigating committee?

Back 18

To provide the accused with a copy of the statement of the alleged offense, investigate the situation thoroughly and examine all evidence available, decide whether the charge has probable grounds and whether it can be proved, and report to the governing body with jurisdiction whether charges will be filed. If charges are to be filed, the committee will prepare them, file them, and designate one of its members to prosecute.

Front 19

What is the statute of limitations on an offense?

Back 19

No later than three years from the time of the alleged offense, nor later than one year from the formation of the investigating committee. This statue does not apply in cases of sexual abuse.

Front 20

What are the degrees of censure?

Back 20

1) Rebuke
2) Rebuke with supervised rehabilitation
3) Temporary exclusion from exercise of ordained office or membership
4) Removal from ordained office or membership