Presbyterian polity for church officers /
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| Author / Creator: | Gray, Joan S. (Joan Standridge), 1952- |
|---|---|
| Imprint: | Atlanta : John Knox Press, ©1986. |
| Description: | viii, 174 pages ; 21 cm |
| Language: | English |
| Subject: | |
| Format: | E-Resource Print Book |
| URL for this record: | http://pi.lib.uchicago.edu/1001/cat/bib/13214982 |
Table of Contents:
- Foreword
- Introduction
- Chapter 1. A Polity for the Church
- What Is Polity?
- Fundamentals of Presbyterian Polity
- The Powers and Responsibilities of Governing Bodies
- Chapter 2. Calling to Office in the Church
- The Calling to Church Membership
- Church Membership as Ministry
- Calling to Office
- Qualifications of Church Officers
- Ordination to Office
- Freedom of Conscience and Its Limitations
- Chapter 3. Election of Church Officers
- Commitment to Inclusiveness in the Election of Elders and Deacons
- The Nominating Committee
- Exemptions for Certain Congregations
- Inclusiveness with Exemptions
- Election, Examination, Ordination, and Installation of Elders and Deacons
- Calling a Pastor
- Presbyteries Working Together
- Ministers of the Word and Sacrament: Their Election, Ordination, and Installation as Pastors
- Chapter 4. The Office of Elder
- Early Reformers
- The Church in Scotland
- Early Presbyterianism in America
- The 1788 Form of Government
- Advocacy for the Office of Elder
- Debates Surrounding the Eldership
- Parity in Governance
- Chapter 5. The Office of Deacon
- The Office of Deacon in the Reformed Tradition
- The 1788 Constitution
- Encouraging Churches to Institute the Office
- Changes in Understanding of the Office
- Developments in the Presbyterian Church U.S.
- Trends in the Presbyterian Church U.S.A.
- Deacons in the United Presbyterian Church of North America
- The United Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A.
- Recovering the Essence of the Office of Deacon
- Chapter 6. A First Look at the Session
- An Overview of Responsibilities and Powers
- Gathering the Community of Faith
- A Continuing Responsibility for Members
- A Continuing Responsibility for Church Officers
- Chapter 7. Ministers Serving Congregations
- The Office of Minister of the Word and Sacrament
- Continuing Members of Presbytery
- Pastoral Relations with Congregations
- Permanent Pastoral Relationships
- Dissolving Permanent Pastoral Relationships
- Designated Pastoral Relationships
- Temporary Pastoral Relationships
- Other Patterns of Leadership
- The Distinctive Role of the Pastor
- Chapter 8. Officers and Staff Working Together
- Pastors and Elders Working Together
- Joint Responsibilities for Worship
- Joint Responsibilities for Congregational Care
- Joint Responsibilities for Governance
- Pastors, Deacons, and Elders Working Together
- Staff Relationships Within the Church
- The Session's Personnel Responsibilities
- The Important Role of the Educator
- Chapter 9. Leading the Church in Mission
- The Nature of Mission
- Facets of the Church's Mission
- Beyond Polity
- An Ecumenical Note
- Chapter 10. Presbytery, Synod, and the General Assembly
- Inclusive Governing Bodies
- The General Assembly
- Committees, Commissions, Agencies, and Councils
- Chapter 11. Stewardship, Finance, and Property
- The Grace of Stewardship
- Presbyterian Stewardship
- Stewardship Development and the Session
- Stewardship and Financial Management
- The Session and Church Property
- Chapter 12. Meetings of Governing Bodies and of the Congregation
- The Importance of Meetings
- Consensus and Conflict
- Types of Meetings
- Moderators and Clerks
- Parliamentary Procedure
- Congregational Meetings
- Meetings of the Session
- Meetings of Presbytery
- Meetings of Synod
- Meetings of the General Assembly
- Chapter 13. Preserving Peace and Purity
- Conflict in the Church
- Ground Rules for Dealing with Conflict
- Options for Disagreement--Dissent and Protest
- What Is "Discipline"?
- Judicial Process
- Trials and Appeals
- Chapter 14. Leading the Church in Worship
- A New Thing
- What Is Worship?
- The Elements of Worship
- The Order of Worship
- The Context of Worship
- The Font and the Table
- Worship on Special Occasions
- Worship and Personal Discipleship
- Worship and Ministry
- Responsibilities for Worship
- Notes
- Index of Book of Order References
- Index of Topics