Welcome Presbyterian Civics 101: How Big Decisions are made by our Denomination 2,000,000 Members
What makes Presbyterians Different?
The Presbyterian form of Government Top Down Hierarchical Pope Cardinals Bishops Priests Deacons Congregation Members Bottom Up - Democratic General Assembly Presbytery Session Ruling Elders Congregation Members
The Presbyterian form of Government Congregation Elects Elders Session Governs the Local Church: Budget Worship Schedule Education Programs Staffing Building Maintenance Local Policy Much like a City or School District local decisions are made locally and access to those we have elected is fairly easy
The Presbyterian form of Government Presbytery Session Congregation Session Congregation Session Congregation Session Congregation Session Congregation
The Presbyterian form of Government Provides Support to Regional Programs beyond the scope of one Congregation (Such as Camp Wyoming) Provides Educational and Mission Opportunities Coordinates resources between various member churches Intercedes in Personnel Conflicts Acts as Court of Appeals for Sessions and Teaching Elders Has Power to remove Teaching Elders from their posts
The Presbyterian form of Government Synod Presbytery Presbytery Presbytery Presbytery Presbytery Presbytery Presbytery Presbytery Presbytery Presbytery
The Presbyterian form of Government
The Presbyterian form of Government The Synod of Lakes and Prairies Responsible for Developing and Implementing the Mission of the Church Facilitates Communication between Presbyteries and General Assembly Adjudicates cases brought against Presbyteries Court of Appeals for Decisions Rendered by Presbyteries
The Presbyterian form of Government General Assembly Presbytery Presbytery Presbytery Presbytery Presbytery Presbytery Presbytery Presbytery Presbytery Presbytery Presbytery Presbytery Presbytery Presbytery Presbytery Presbytery Presbytery Presbytery Presbytery Presbytery Presbytery Presbytery Presbytery Presbytery Presbytery Presbytery Presbytery Presbytery Presbytery Presbytery Presbytery Presbytery Presbytery Presbytery Presbytery Presbytery Presbytery Presbytery Presbytery Presbytery Presbytery Presbytery
Sound Familiar? Many of our Founding Fathers were Presbyterians They Borrowed Liberally from the Presbyterian form of Government
Federal Government Presbyterian Government We elect representatives to the Federal Government to pass laws that impact multiple states We elect State Representatives to Govern issues that are bigger than local Local Government makes local decisions Access to elected officials is easy The Individual in Sovereign, and elects others to represent his interests. The Presbytery elects representatives to the General Assembly which sets policies that will impact the entire denomination Sessions elect representatives to the Presbytery for multi-congregation issues Session makes local decisions Access to Ruling Elders is easy Congregation elects local members as Ruling Elders to Govern
We elect our Federal Representatives, but we do not directly elect our representatives to the General Assembly Presbyters are not simply to reflect the will of the people, but rather To seek together to find and represent the will of Christ (Book of Order) The Congregation as a whole only votes on: 1) The call of the pastor (Teaching Elder) and terms of call; 2) The election of its own officers (Elders & Deacons); and 3) Buying, selling or mortgaging real property.
Federal Government Constitution Presbyterian Government Constitution : Book of Confessions Book of Order Legislative - Congress Executive The President Judicial Supreme Court Legislative - General Assembly Executive -???????? Judicial General Assembly Permanent Judicial Commission
General Assembly
General Assembly Meets Every Other Year Made up of Ruling and Teaching Elders who are elected by the Presbyteries Sets Policy for the Presbyterian Church USA The General Assembly Permanent Judicial Commission is the highest Church court of our denomination. This is where controversial issues are decided
Big Issues Addressed by General Assembly Racial Equality: Ordination of Women: Divorce: Gay (LGBT) Clergy: Same Gender Marriage:
Same Gender Marriage: Regularly Debated by General Assemblies since 1991 The GAPJC (Supreme Court) ruled that any same-gender ceremony considered the equivalent of a marriage ceremony would not be sanctioned under the Book of Order.
Same Gender Marriage: In 2000, the GAPJC (Supreme Court) did allow for individual ministers and sessions to conduct same gender ceremonies that celebrates a loving, caring and committed relationship, but these could not be used to confer a new status of Marriage. This decision allows for same-gender couples to receive a public benediction, but does not confer a new status on these couples within the community of faith
Book of Order Language Marriage is a gift God has given to all humankind for the well-being of the entire human family. Marriage is a civil contract between a woman and a man. For Christians, marriage is a covenant through which a man and a woman are called to live out together before God their lives of discipleship. In a service of Christian marriage a lifelong commitment is made by a woman and a man to each other, publicly witnessed and acknowledged by the community of faith. [W-4.9001] Iowa, Maine, Vermont, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Maryland, Washington and Washington D.C. have legalized same-gender marriages.
Overtures Amendment Overture Calls for amendment to Book of Order If passed at General Assembly, sent to Presbyteries for vote Must pass at majority of Presbyteries to be implemented Authoritative Interpretation Overture Calls for the Church to interpret the Book of Order in a certain way If passed at General Assembly, goes into effect immediately
East Iowa Overtures 2012 Amendment Overture: Amend Book of Order (specifically the Directory for Worship) to remove the statement that marriage is between a man and a woman Replace statements that say man and woman with two people Authoritative Interpretation Overture: Allow Teaching Elders to exercise pastoral discretion to officiate at a same-gender marriage in states where it is legal. Give Sessions the right to permit the use of church property for such a ceremony. Also allow Teaching Elders to refuse to officiate and Sessions to refuse to allow the use of church property for such a ceremony.
What Happened at General Assembly last year? Overtures went to committee: Debate in Committee Committee Recommends Two Years of Study Motions from Committee: Debate in Plenary Session A motion from the floor to approve the Second Overture was defeated 338 to 308 The Committee s recommended Period of Study passes overwhelmingly.
What has happened since General Assembly? Session Creates Study Group: Facilitate Study and Discussion Report sentiments of Congregation to Session Actions by Study Group: Gather & Study Materials (Books, Articles, etc.) Create a curriculum for the Congregation to study and Discuss the issues Facilitate Curriculum and Discussions Collect Feedback
This Summer Possible Book Studies
Next Fall Begin monthly A.C.E. Programs Bible Study Speakers Small Group Discussions Next Spring Congregational Discernment Report to Session Vote by Session Session reports to Presbytery
Next Summer Presbytery sends Delegates to GA Overtures Discussion & Debate Possible Decision???
Thank You Presbyterian Civics 101: How Big Decisions are made by our Denomination
The Presbyterian form of Government Bottom Up General Assembly Constitution : Book of Confessions Book of Order Presbytery Session Ruling Elders Congregation General Assembly Permanent Judicial Commission