CHAPTER 20

      The Election of Pastors

20-1.    Before a candidate, or licentiate, can be ordained to the office of the ministry, he must receive a call to a definite work.  Ordinarily the call must come from a church, Presbytery, or the General Assembly of this denomination.  If the call comes from another source, the Presbytery shall always make a record of the reasons why it considers the work to be a valid Christian ministry.  (See also BCO 8-7 and 21-1).

            A proper call must be written and in the hands of the Presbytery prior to being acted upon by a Presbytery.  It must include financial arrangements (such as salary, vacation, insurance, retirement, etc.) between those calling and the one called, and assurance that the definite work will afford the liberty to proclaim and practice fully and freely the whole counsel of God, as contained in the Scriptures and understood in the Westminster Confession of Faith.  It shall be in accord with the BCO 8.

20-2.    Every church should be under the pastoral oversight of a minister, and when a church has no pastor it should seek to secure one without delay.

            A church shall proceed to elect a pastor in the following manner:  The Session shall call a congregational meeting to elect a pulpit committee which may be composed of members from the congregation at large or the Session, as designated by the congregation (see BCO 25).  The pulpit committee shall, after consultation and deliberation, recommend to the congregation a pastoral candidate who, in its judgment, fulfills the Constitutional requirements of that office (e.g., BCO 8, 13-6 and 21) and is most suited to be profitable to the spiritual interests of the congregation (cf. BCO 20-6).

            The Session shall order a congregational meeting to convene at the regular place of worship.  Public notice of the time, place, and purpose of this meeting shall be given at least one week prior to the time of the meeting.

20-3.    When a congregation is convened for the election of a pastor it is important that they should elect a minister of the Presbyterian Church in America to preside, but if this be impracticable, they may elect any male member of that church.  The Session shall appoint one of their number to call the meeting to order and to preside until the congregation shall elect their presiding officer.  All communing members in good and regular standing, but no others, are entitled to vote in the churches to which they are respectively attached.

20-4.    Method of voting:  The voters being convened, and prayer for divine guidance having been offered, the moderator shall put the question: 

Are you ready to proceed to the election of a pastor? 

If they declare themselves ready, the moderator shall call for nominations, or the election may proceed by ballot without nominations.  In every case a majority of all the voters present shall be required to elect.

20-5.    On the election of a pastor, if it appears that a large minority of the voters are averse to the candidate who has received a majority of votes, and cannot be induced to concur in the call, the moderator shall endeavor to dissuade the majority from prosecuting it further; but if the electors be nearly or quite unanimous, or if the majority shall insist upon their right to call a pastor, the moderator shall proceed to draw a call in due form, and to have it subscribed by them, certifying at the same time in writing the number of those who do not concur in the call, and any facts of importance, all of which proceedings shall be laid before the Presbytery, together with the call.

20-6.    Form of call:  The terms of the call shall be approved by the congregation in the following or like form:

            The ____________________ Church being on sufficient grounds well satisfied of the ministerial qualifications of you, ____________, and having good hopes from our knowledge of your labors that your ministrations in the Gospel will be profitable to our spiritual interests, do earnestly call you to undertake the pastoral office in said congregation, promising you, in the discharge of your duty, all proper support, encouragement and obedience in the Lord.  That you may be free from worldly cares and avocations, we hereby promise and oblige ourselves to pay you the sum of $___________ a year in regular monthly (or quarterly) payments, and other benefits, such as, manse, retirement, insurance, vacations, moving expenses etc., during the time of your being and continuing the regular pastor of this church.

            In testimony whereof we have respectively subscribed our names this ___________day of____________________, A.D.________.

            Attest:  I, having moderated the congregational meeting which extended a call to ______________ for his ministerial services, do certify that the call has been made in all respects according to the rules laid down in the Book of Church Order, and that the persons who signed the foregoing call were authorized to do so by vote of the congregation.

                        _________________________________

                                    Moderator of the Meeting

20-7.    If any church shall choose to designate its ruling elders and deacons, or a committee to sign its call, it shall be at liberty to do so.  But it shall, in such case, be fully certified to the Presbytery by the minister or other person who presided, that the persons signing have been appointed for that purpose by a public vote of the church, and that the call has been in all other respects prepared as above directed.

20-8.    Prosecution of call:  One or more commissioners shall be appointed by the church to present and prosecute the call before their Presbytery.

20-9.    When a pastor desires to accept a call to another Presbytery, he must be examined and approved by the Presbytery for the pastorate to which he is being called, and must be released for transfer by his present Presbytery from his pastorate.

20-10.  A congregation desiring to call a pastor from his charge, shall, by its commissioners to the Presbytery, prosecute the call before its Presbytery.  The Presbytery, having heard all the parties, may, upon viewing the whole case, either recommend them to desist from prosecuting the call; or may order it to be delivered to the minister to whom it is addressed, with or without advice; or may decline to place the call in his hands; as it shall appear most beneficial for the peace and edification of the Church at large.

            No pastor shall be transferred without his own consent, if the parties are not ready to have the matter decided at the meeting then in progress, a written citation shall be given the minister and his church to appear before the Presbytery at its next meeting, which citation shall be read from the pulpit during a regular service, at least two weeks before the intended meeting.

20-11.  If the congregation or other field of labor to which a minister, licentiate, or candidate is called, be under the jurisdiction of a different Presbytery, on his acceptance of a call he shall be furnished with the proper testimonials, and required to repair immediately to the Presbytery, in order that he may be regularly inducted into his office.  (See BCO 21).

20-12.  A candidate or licentiate found fit and called (in accordance with BCO 20-1) for missionary service by a missionary agency or Presbytery shall be examined by Presbytery for ordination.  If approved the Presbytery shall proceed to his ordination.

20-13.  A missionary who is an ordained teaching elder in another denomination found fit and called (in accordance with BCO 20-1) for missionary service by a missionary agency or Presbytery shall be examined by Presbytery for admission to Presbytery in accordance with BCO 13-6.  If approved he shall be enrolled as a member of Presbytery.

CHAPTER 21

      The Ordination and Installation of Ministers.

21-1.    No minister, licentiate or candidate shall receive a call from a church but by the permission of his Presbytery.  When a call has been presented to the Presbytery, if found in order and the Presbytery deems it for the good of the Church, they shall place it in the hands of the person to whom it is addressed.

            Ordinarily a candidate or licentiate may not be granted permission by the Presbytery to move on to the field to which he has been called, prior to his examination for licensure or ordination.  Likewise an ordained minister from another Presbyterian Church in America Presbytery or another denomination, ordinarily shall not move on to the field to which he has been called until examined and received by Presbytery.

21-2.    When an intern has completed his internship to the satisfaction of the Presbytery, and has accepted a call, the Presbytery shall take immediate steps for his ordination.

21-3.    No Presbytery shall ordain any intern to the office of minister of the Word with reference to his laboring within the bounds of another Presbytery, but shall furnish him with the necessary testimonials, and require him to repair to the Presbytery within whose bounds he expects to labor, that he may submit himself to its authority, according to the Constitution of the Church.

21-4.    An intern applying for ordination shall be required to present a diploma of Bachelor or Master from some approved college or university, and also a diploma of Bachelor or Master from some approved theological seminary or authentic testimonials of having completed a regular course of theological studies, or a certificate of completion of and endorsement from a theological study program as approved by the General Assembly and one of the Presbyteries of the Presbyterian Church in America.  No Presbytery shall omit any of these educational requirements except in extraordinary cases, and then only with a three-fourths (3/4) approval of the Presbytery.  Whenever a Presbytery shall omit any of these educational requirements, it shall always make a record of the reasons for such omission and the parts omitted.  The intern shall also present satisfactory testimonials as to the completion and approval of his internship in the practice of the ministry.

Trials for ordination shall consist of:

a.   A careful examination as to:

1.   his acquaintance with experiential religion, especially his personal character and family management (based on the qualifications set out in 1 Timothy 3:1-7, and Titus 1:6-9),

2.   his knowledge of the Greek and Hebrew languages,

3.   Bible content,

4.   theology,

5.   the Sacraments,

6.   Church history,

7.   the history of the Presbyterian Church in America, and

8.   the principles and rules of the government and discipline of the church.

      A Presbytery may accept a seminary degree which includes study in the original languages in lieu of an oral examination in the original languages. 

b.   He shall prepare a thesis on some theological topic assigned by Presbytery.

c.    The candidate shall prepare an exegesis on an assigned portion of Scripture, requiring the use of the original language or languages.

d.   He shall further be required to preach a sermon before the Presbytery or committee thereof, upon three-fourths (3/4) vote.

            No Presbytery shall omit any of these parts of trial for ordination except in extraordinary cases, and then only with three-fourths (3/4) approval of Presbytery.

            Whenever a Presbytery shall omit any of these parts, it shall always make a record of the reasons for such omissions and of the trial parts omitted.

of this Church as containing the system of doctrine taught in the Holy Scriptures (cf. BCO 21-5, Q.2; 24-5, Q.2).

            Therefore, in examining a candidate for ordination, the Presbytery shall inquire not only into the candidate’s knowledge and views in the areas specified above, but also shall require the candidate to state the specific instances in which he may differ with the Confession of Faith and Catechisms in any of their statements and/or propositions.  The court may grant an exception to any difference of doctrine only if in the court’s judgment the candidate’s declared difference is not out of accord with any fundamental of our system of doctrine because the difference is neither hostile to the system nor strikes at the vitals of religion. 

            The Presbytery, being fully satisfied of his qualifications for the sacred office, shall appoint a day for his ordination, which ought, if practicable, to be in that church of which he is to be the pastor.

            The extraordinary clauses should be limited to extraordinary circumstances of the church or proven extraordinary gifts of the man.  Presbyteries should exercise diligence and care in the use of these provisions in order that they not prevent the ordination of a candidate for whom there are truly exceptional circumstances, nor ordain (nor receive from other denominations (BCO 13-6) a person who is inadequately prepared for the ministry.

21-5.    The day appointed for the ordination having come, and the Presbytery being convened, a sermon suitable for the occasion shall be preached by a person appointed or invited by the Presbytery.  The Presbytery member appointed to preside shall afterwards briefly recite from the pulpit the proceedings of the Presbytery preparatory to the ordination; he shall point out the nature and importance of the ordinance, and endeavor to impress the audience with a proper sense of the solemnity of the transaction.

Questions for Ordination1

 1For an assistant minister, only questions 1-7 shall be used.

            Then, addressing himself to the candidate, he shall propose to him the following questions:

1.   Do you believe the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, as originally given, to be the inerrant Word of God, the only infallible rule of faith and practice?

3.   Do you approve of the form of government and discipline of the Presbyterian Church in America, in conformity with the general principles of Biblical polity?

4.   Do you promise subjection to your brethren in the Lord?

5.   Have you been induced, as far as you know your own heart, to seek the office of the holy ministry from love to God and a sincere desire to promote His glory in the Gospel of His Son?

6.   Do you promise to be zealous and faithful in maintaining the truths of the Gospel and the purity and peace and unity of the Church, whatever persecution or opposition may arise unto you on that account?

7.   Do you engage to be faithful and diligent in the exercise of all your duties as a Christian and a minister of the Gospel, whether personal or relational, private or public; and to endeavor by the grace of God to adorn the profession of the Gospel in your manner of life, and to walk with exemplary piety before the flock of which God shall make you overseer?

8.   Are you now willing to take the charge of this church, agreeable to your declaration when accepting their call?  And do you, relying upon God for strength, promise to discharge to it the duties of a pastor?

Questions to Congregation2

2For assistant minister, address the Session omitting the last phrase of questions 1 and 2.

21-6.    The candidate having answered these questions in the affirmative, the presiding minister shall propose to the church the following questions:

1.   Do you, the people of this congregation, continue to profess your readiness to receive _________________, whom you have called to be your pastor?

2.   Do you promise to receive the word of truth from his mouth with meekness and love, and to submit to him in the due exercise of discipline?

3.   Do you promise to encourage him in his labors, and to assist his endeavors for your instruction and spiritual edification?

21-7.    The people having answered these questions in the affirmative, by holding up their right hands, the candidate shall kneel, and the presiding minister shall, with prayer and the laying on of hands of the Presbytery, according to the apostolic example, solemnly set him apart to the holy office of the Gospel ministry.  Prayer being ended, he shall rise from his knees; and the minister who presides shall first, followed by all members of the Presbytery, take him by the right hand, saying, in words to this effect:

                   We give you the right hand of fellowship, to take part in this ministry with us.

            The presiding minister shall then say:

I now pronounce and declare that __________________ has been regularly elected, ordained, and installed pastor of this congregation, agreeable to the Word of God, and according to the Constitution of the Presbyterian Church in America; and that as such he is entitled to all support, encouragement, honor, and obedience in the Lord:  In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.  Amen.

            After which the minister presiding, or some other teaching or ruling elder appointed for the purpose, shall give a solemn charge to the pastor and to the congregation, to persevere in the discharge of their reciprocal duties, and then after prayer and the singing of a psalm, or hymn, the congregation shall be dismissed with the benediction.  The Presbytery shall duly record its proceedings.3

3For assistant minister, add the word 'assistant' before 'pastor', and charge the Session rather than the congregation.

 21-8.    After the installation, the heads of families of the congregation then present, or at least the ruling elders and deacons, should come forward to their pastor, and give him their right hand, in token of cordial reception and affectionate regard.

Questions for Installation4

 4For assistant minister, substitute the word 'serve' for 'take charge of', and add the word 'assistant' before 'pastor'.

21-9.    In the installation of an ordained minister, the following questions are to be substituted for those addressed to a candidate for ordination, namely:

1.   Are you now willing to take charge of this congregation as their pastor, agreeable to your declaration in accepting its call?

2.   Do you conscientiously believe and declare, as far as you know your own heart, that, in taking upon you this charge, you are influenced by a sincere desire to promote the glory of God and the good of the Church?

3.   Do you solemnly promise that, by the assistance of the grace of God, you will endeavor faithfully to discharge all the duties of a pastor to this congregation, and will be careful to maintain a deportment in all respects becoming a minister of the Gospel of Christ, agreeable to your ordination engagements?

Questions to Congregation5

 5For assistant minister, address the Session omitting the last phrase of questions 1 and 2.

21-10.  The candidate having answered these question in the affirmative, the presiding minister shall propose to the church the following questions:

1.   Do you, the people of this congregation, continue to profess your readiness to receive ________________, whom you have called to be your pastor?

2.   Do you promise to receive the word of truth from his mouth with meekness and love, and to submit to him in the due exercise of discipline?

3.   Do you promise to encourage him in his labors, and to assist his endeavors for your instruction and spiritual edification?

4.   Do you engage to continue to him while he is your pastor that competent worldly maintenance which you have promised, and to furnish him with whatever you may see needful for the honor of religion and for his comfort among you?

21-11.  In the ordination of interns as evangelists the same questions are to be propounded as in the ordination of pastors, with the exception of the eighth, for which the following shall be substituted:

 Do you now undertake the work of an evangelist, and do you promise, in reliance on God for strength, to be faithful in the discharge of all the duties incumbent on you as a minister of the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ?

CHAPTER 22

      The Pastoral Relations.

22-1.    The various pastoral relations are pastor, associate pastor, and assistant pastor.

22-2.    The pastor and associate pastor are elected by the congregation using the form of call in BCO 20-6.  Being elected by the congregation, they become members of the Session.

22-3.    An assistant pastor is called by the Session, by the permission and approval of Presbytery, under the provisions of BCO 20-1 and 13-2, with Presbytery membership being governed by the same provisions that apply to pastors.  He is not a member of the Session, but may be appointed on special occasions to moderate the Session under the provisions of BCO 12-4.

22-4.    The relationship of the associate pastor to the church is determined by the congregation.  The relationship of the assistant pastor to the church is determined by the Session.  The dissolution of the relationship of both is governed by the provision of BCO 23.

22-5.    In order to provide necessary changes in pastorates, a temporary relation may be established between a church and a minister called Stated Supply.  If a church is unable to secure a regular pastor or a Stated Supply, then the Session with approval of Presbytery may establish a temporary relation between the church and a licentiate called Student Supply or Ruling Elder Supply.

22-6.    Such temporary relationships can take place at the invitation of the church Session to the minister of the Word, the licentiate, or the ruling elder.  The length of the relationship will be determined by the Session and the minister, the licentiate, or the ruling elder, with the approval of the Presbytery.  Stated supply, student supply, or ruling elder supply relationships will be for no longer than one year, renewable at the request of the Session and at the review of the Presbytery.  (See also BCO 19-1).

CHAPTER 23

      The Dissolution of the Pastoral Relation and

      The Procedure for Honorable Retirement.

23-1.    When any minister shall tender the resignation of his pastoral charge to his Presbytery, the Presbytery shall cite the church to appear by its commissioners, to show cause why the Presbytery should or should not accept the resignation.  If the church fails to appear, or if its reasons for retaining its pastor be deemed insufficient, his resignation shall be accepted and the pastoral relation dissolved.

            If any church desires to be relieved of its pastor, a similar procedure shall be observed.  But whether the minister or the church initiates proceedings for a dissolution of the relation, there shall always be a meeting of the congregation called and conducted in the same manner as the call of the pastor.  In any case, the minister must not physically leave the field until the Presbytery or its commission empowered to handle uncontested requests for dissolution has dissolved the relation.

            The associate or assistant pastors may continue to serve a congregation when the pastoral relation of the senior pastor is dissolved, but they may not normally succeed the senior pastor without an intervening term of service in a different field of labor.  However a congregation by a secret ballot with four-fifths (4/5) majority vote may petition Presbytery for an exception which by a three-fourths (3/4) majority vote Presbytery may grant.  Presbytery needs to determine if the dissolution of the pastoral relationship with the senior pastor was brought about in Christian love and good order on the part of the parties concerned.

23-2.    The Presbytery may designate a minister as honorably retired when the minister by reason of age wishes to be retired, or as medically disabled when by reason of infirmity is no longer able to serve the church in the active ministry of the Gospel.  A minister medically disabled or honorably retired shall continue to hold membership in his Presbytery.  He may serve on committees or commissions if so elected or appointed.

23-3.    A minister, being medically disabled or honorably retired, may be elected pastor emeritus by a congregation which seeks to honor his past earnest labors among them.