Why did we choose to leave the PC(U.S.A.)? Over a period of years the PC(U.S.A.) has weakened its stance that Jesus is Lord and the only way to the Father An aspect of that weakening is the de- emphasis of the Bible as the authoritative Word of God In addition the PC(U.S.A.) has begun to redefine the Trinity and the definition of marriage
Quotes from Presbyterians Today David A. Ord: June 2012. Scrutinizing Scripture For some of us, the message of the Bible is consistent from Genesis to Revelation. To say the Bible is inspired is to say it is accurate and factual and therefore contains only one viewpoint, that of the Creator. What do Presbyterians believe about the Bible? We believe that through it God speaks to us that it is inspired. For some, that means the Bible is inerrant. For others, it means that even though the Bible is culturally conditioned and not necessarily factual or even always true, it breaths with the life of God.
Why did we choose to leave the PC(U.S.A.)? In 2012 the New Form of Government was adopted by majority vote of the member presbyteries which significantly changed the standards for ordination of pastors, elders and deacons.
Old Standard Those who are called to office in the church are to lead a life in obedience to Scripture and in conformity to the historic confessional standards of the church. Among these standards is the requirement to live in either fidelity within the covenant of marriage between a man and a woman, or in chastity in singleness. Persons refusing to repent of any self- acknowledged practice which the confessions call sin shall not be ordained and/or installed as deacons, elders, or ministers of the Word and Sacrament. New Standard Standards for ordained service reflect the church s desire to submit joyfully to the Lordship of Jesus Christ in all aspects of life. The council responsible for ordination and/or installation shall examine each candidate s ability and commitment to fulfill all requirements as expressed in the constitutional questions for ordination and installation. Councils shall be guided by Scripture and the confessions in applying standards to individual candidates.
Why did we choose to affiliate with the CRCNA? It is a PC(U.S.A.) requirement that a church can only be dismissed to a church belonging to a Reformed Denomination Session formed a task force to explore the numerous choices of denominations of the Reformed Faith Based on the data received, which included visitations to member churches and discussions with denominational representatives, the Session determined that the CRCNA was the best fit for our congregation Shared theological stances God is sovereign Jesus is the only way to the Father The Bible is the authoritative Word of God Consistent Calvinist traditions Shared mission emphasis
How are we governed?
Forms of Church Governance Episcopal Top Down structure Authority for ordination, confirmation, consecrations, etc. rests in the bishop and higher offices Roman Catholics, Eastern Orthodox, Untied Methodists, some Lutherans Congregational Each congregation is ecclesiastically autonomous Congregational (derived from Anglo- American Puritan churches), Baptist, Anabaptist derived (e.g. Mennonite, Amish) and modern- day non- denominational churches Presbyterian John Calvin Both top down and bottom up structure GA > Synod > Presbytery > Session or Synod > Classis > Council The CRCNA considers the Classis and Synods to be broader not higher levels of governance BUT: each of the higher authorities are made up of equal numbers of ordained pastors and elders selected from local congregations A congregation elects elders and deacons and calls a pastor The Presbytery and/or Classis is responsible for examining and ordaining clergy PC(USA), RCA, CRCNA
Ordained Offices PC(U.S.A.) Teaching Elder Preach and teach (equip the saints for ministry) Administer the Sacraments Pastor the people Moderate the Session Advise the Deacons Commissioned Ruling Elder (formerly Commissioned Lay Pastor ) Ruling Elder Exercise leadership, government, spiritual discernment and discipline for the congregation, the whole church and ecumenical relationships When elected to higher councils they participate and vote with the same authority as Teaching Elders and are eligible for any office Deacon Compassion, witness and sharing in the redeeming love of Jesus Christ for the poor, the hungry, the sick, the lost, the friendless, the oppressed May be individually commissioned or organized as a board of deacons CRCNA Ministers of the Word Preach the Word Administer the Sacraments Conduct public worship Catechize the youth Train the members for Christian service Ministry Associates Elders Oversee the doctrine and life of the members of the congregation and fellow office bearers, exercise admonition and discipline along with pastoral care in the congregation, participate and promote evangelism and defend the faith. As an appointed delegate to the classis and/or Synod, an elder participates and votes with the same authority as a Minister of the Word Deacons Represent and administer the mercy of Christ to all people, especially to those who belong to the community of believers Stimulate the members of Christ s church to faithful, obedient stewardship of their resources on behalf of the needy all with biblical encouragement and testimony which assure the unity of word and deed
DenominaFonal Councils PC(U.S.A.) Session Pastor plus Ruling Elders Presbytery Synod General Assembly CRCNA Council Pastor plus Elders and Deacons Consistory Pastor plus Elders Diaconate Classis Synod Deacons
Presbytery vs. Classis PC(U.S.A.) Equal number of Teaching Elders and Ruling Elders Large churches have greater voice At minimum one pastor and one elder Each pastor in a church is balanced with an elder There are also ordained Teaching Elders not serving in a church and these too must be balanced with Ruling Elders e.g. CGPC has one Teaching Elder and one Commissioned Ruling Elder but is allowed three Ruling Elder Commissioners to Presbytery CRCNA Equal number of Ministers of the Word and Elders Both large and small churches are represented by one minister and one elder
Other InteresFng Tidbits PC(U.S.A.) Until the middle of the 19 th century deacons and elders served for life Until the 1860 s only pastors could lay hands on those being ordained (PC in the US) and in the 1950 s in the United PC in the USA Ordination of women as deacons or elders first occurred in the 1930 s (United PC in the USA) and the 1960 s (PC in the US) Ordination of women as pastors first occurred in 1955 (United PC in the USA) Current membership in PC(U.S.A.) is >1.25 million in >10,000 congregations CRCNA 1925 First Women's Missionary Union meeting held in Grand Rapids, Michigan 1978 Synod permitted women to serve in the office of deacon 1990 Synod permitted congregational discretion in using women's gifts in all the offices of the church 1995 Synod permitted ordination of women as elders and pastors 1996 First woman pastor ordained in the CRC (Rev. Ruth Hofman) Current membership is ~300,000 in ~1000 congregations
Calling a New Pastor PC(U.S.A.) Pastor announces his/her intentions to leave To Session, to Presbytery and to the congregation Interim period Typically 18-24 month This is a time for discernment Analyze the present direction of the mission of the church To project the future mission direction Thus defining the characteristics of potential candidates Session, with the help of the presbytery, selects an interim pastor A PNC is elected by the congregation The presbytery appoints a liaison to work with the PNC The presbytery counsels the PNC on the merits, suitability and availability of candidates for the call When a prospective candidate is identified the PNC informs session and session calls for a congregational meeting After the candidate preaches a sermon the congregation determines by vote to accept or reject the candidate
Calling a New Pastor CRCNA - The process is new to all of us and is currently being investigated by Session with input from the Classis liaison The immediate goal is to establish an orderly and well planned succession process Establish a time frame Date for current pastor s farewell Dates for other events leading up to the farewell Target date for new senior pastor Target date for the job posting
Establishment of a search committee directed to work within the time frame determined by the council and considering the following: The composition of the committee How many people; who will serve on it; how many council members, how many non- council members; chair, etc. Mandate for the committee How often they will report; range of the search: CRC only? Broader? Assembling the proper documents Job description; church profile, materials for posting the position, etc. Who does this the search committee? Council? Reporting to the congregation How, when, etc. Recruitment of the search committee members Who will do this? Writing the job description
Establish a farewell committee Probably not the same as the search committee to schedule and manage farewell events. Work with the current pastor to set boundaries for the period after he leaves. When is it appropriate to come back When not? Discuss with the staff how the ongoing ministry of the church will be handled in the interim (if there is any), their roles, and their plans for the future.
References Websites theopedia.com wikipedia.com pcusa.org crcna.org The Constitution of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Part II: Book of Order 2004/2005 2011/2013 Church Order and its Supplements of the Christian Reformed Church 2011 More Than a Search Committee (CRC) Exploring Opportunities in Times of Transition