Malcolm Rivera
The Book of Church Order (BCO) is part of the constitution of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA). The BCO is subject to and subordinate to the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, the inerrant Word of God. The BCO lays out the ecclesiastical structure of the PCA, including the roles of Sessions, Presbyteries, and the General Assembly, which together form the church courts. The BCO also outlines the procedures for amending the constitution, congregational meetings, and principles of discipline. While the BCO is considered a historical document, it is also a living document that undergoes changes to remain applicable to the modern church. This raises questions about the relationship between the BCO and the ordering of the church, specifically whether ministers must abide by the BCO or can make exceptions based on their interpretation of Scripture.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Nature | The Book of Church Order (BCO) is part of the constitution of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) |
| Subordination | The BCO is subordinate to the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, the inerrant Word of God |
| Amendments | Amendments to the BCO are made annually to improve and apply it to the life of the church in the 21st century |
| Process for Amendments | Amendments follow a process that includes approval by a majority at the General Assembly, advice and consent of two-thirds of the presbyteries, and a subsequent majority vote at the General Assembly |
| Constitutional Authority | Only specific parts of the BCO, such as BCO 56, 57, 58, and 59-3, have been given full constitutional authority |
| Ecclesiastical Structure | The BCO outlines the ecclesiastical structure of the PCA, including the roles of presbyters (Elders) and church courts |
| Court Jurisdiction | Sessions, Presbyteries, and the General Assembly represent different grades of church courts with specific jurisdictions, but they are inherently possessed of the same rights and powers |
| Exceptions | While the BCO allows for exceptions in conscience, it does not permit changes in practice by individuals |
| Relationship to the Bible | The BCO is seen as an outworking of biblical principles, and disagreements or exceptions should follow an appeal process |
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What You'll Learn
- The Book of Church Order (BCO) is part of the constitution of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA)
- Ministers cannot ignore the BCO, but they can appeal to change it
- Conscience permits exceptions to the BCO, but not changes in practice
- The BCO is a living document that is amended annually
- The BCO is translated into Korean, Spanish, and Portuguese
The Book of Church Order (BCO) is part of the constitution of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA)
The Book of Church Order, commonly referred to as BCO, is part of the constitution of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA). The BCO is a historical document, with some sections dating back to the 1640s, written by a minister who signed the Declaration of Independence. It is considered a living document, as it is amended annually to improve and adapt it to the modern context of the church. The BCO outlines the ecclesiastical structure of the PCA, including the roles and responsibilities of church officers, courts, and members. It also provides guidance on disciplinary processes, worship, and the administration of sacraments.
The BCO is subject to and subordinate to the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, recognised as the inerrant Word of God. This means that while the BCO carries constitutional authority within the PCA, it is understood as an outworking of biblical principles. The BCO is not set in stone, and there are established processes for proposing and implementing changes. Amendments to the BCO require approval through a democratic process, including votes at general assemblies and the consent of a certain proportion of presbyteries.
The BCO is an essential guide for the governance and organisation of the PCA. It establishes the rights and powers of different church courts, such as Sessions, Presbyteries, and the General Assembly, and outlines their respective jurisdictions. The BCO also addresses matters related to conscience and practice, such as the administration of the Lord's Supper and the participation of individuals from other denominations. While exceptions to conscience may be permitted, changes in practice by individuals are not allowed to maintain consistency within the church.
The BCO is a comprehensive document that covers various aspects of church life and governance. It is a dynamic text that evolves through the democratic processes of the PCA, ensuring that the principles of church government remain applicable and effective in the modern context. The BCO plays a crucial role in maintaining order, unity, and consistency within the Presbyterian Church in America, providing a framework for the functioning of the church and its members.
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Ministers cannot ignore the BCO, but they can appeal to change it
The Book of Church Order, commonly referred to as BCO, is part of the constitution of the Presbyterian Church in America. It is subject to and subordinate to the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, the inerrant Word of God.
The BCO is the governing authority of the Church. Ministers cannot ignore the BCO, but they can appeal to change it. If a minister takes an exception to the BCO, he is not permitted to practice that exception. For example, a minister cannot avoid fencing the table of the Lord's Supper because he took exception to BCO 58-4, or restrict voting in congregational meetings to deprive communing persons of a vote per BCO 25-1.
However, there are ways to appeal to the BCO and have it changed. For instance, there was a case in "old" Great Lakes where a minister took exception to fencing the table in 58-4, and the Presbytery allowed it, until they were told by the GA that they couldn't do that. In another example, Overture 8 at the PCA General Assembly sought to change the BCO so that ministers without a call for an extended period need to report to the presbytery annually. If a man remains without a call for three years, the presbytery shall divest him of office, though his status may be extended by another year through a majority vote.
While ministers cannot ignore the BCO, they do have some discretion in how they interpret and apply it. A minister's presbytery (or a ruling elder's session) has discretion over which exceptions to the BCO and Westminster Standards a minister may teach and/or modify his practice for. Ultimately, the BCO is an outworking of biblical principles in the ordering of the church, and any changes or exceptions must be carefully considered to maintain order and avoid chaos.
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Conscience permits exceptions to the BCO, but not changes in practice
The Book of Church Order (BCO) is part of the constitution of the Presbyterian Church in America. It is subject to and subordinate to the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, the inerrant Word of God. The BCO is the governing authority of the Church and cannot be laid aside.
If a minister takes an exception to the BCO, he is not permitted to change his practices to reflect that exception. For example, in the case of a disagreement with BCO 58-2, a minister would not be permitted to administer the Lord's Supper to an unrepentant member, even if this reflected his view of Scripture. This is because an exception to the BCO is a matter of conscience, while allowing this practice would be a matter of changing established practices.
The PCA has decided that conscience permits or allows for exceptions, but it has never allowed for a change in practice by individuals. This is to avoid chaos and maintain order in the church. For instance, if one church decided it would not accept infant baptisms, or if it decided that a quorum for a Session was one elder alone, it would create inconsistency and disorder.
However, it is important to note that there are ways to appeal to the BCO and seek changes through the proper channels. Ministers are not free to ignore the BCO as it carries binding constitutional authority. The final classification of exceptions rests with the Presbytery and is recorded in the minutes. The Presbytery evaluates each exception according to categories such as "merely semantic" or "out of accord, that is, hostile to the system, or striking at the vitals of religion".
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The BCO is a living document that is amended annually
The Book of Church Order, or BCO, is part of the constitution of the Presbyterian Church in America. It is subject to and subordinate to the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments. The BCO is a living document that is amended annually to reflect the changing nature of the church and its members. While the BCO carries constitutional authority, it is not set in stone and can be appealed and changed through the proper channels.
For example, a minister may take exception to a specific section of the BCO, such as the fencing the table in 58-4, and request to change their practices to reflect that exception. In this case, the minister's request would first be reviewed and decided upon by the Presbytery. If approved, the change would be implemented within the minister's church, reflecting their interpretation of Scripture. However, if the General Assembly (GA) disagrees with the Presbytery's decision, they can overrule it, as they have the final say in such matters.
The BCO is a dynamic document that can adapt to the needs and beliefs of the church. It is not static but rather a living, breathing part of the church's constitution. The annual amendments allow for the inclusion of new insights, interpretations, and advancements while ensuring that the BCO remains relevant and applicable to the church's current context.
The process of amending the BCO annually involves input from various stakeholders within the church. Ministers, presbyteries, and the General Assembly all play a role in shaping the document. This collaborative approach ensures that the BCO reflects the diverse perspectives and beliefs within the church. It also provides a mechanism for addressing disagreements and exceptions, fostering unity and coherence in the church's practices.
The annual amendment process of the BCO is a testament to the Presbyterian Church in America's commitment to adaptability and growth. By treating the document as a living entity, the church ensures that its constitution remains aligned with the changing needs and beliefs of its members. This dynamic approach to church governance allows for a balance between consistency and flexibility, enabling the church to stay true to its foundational principles while also embracing new insights and interpretations.
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The BCO is translated into Korean, Spanish, and Portuguese
The Book of Church Order, commonly referred to as BCO, is part of the constitution of the Presbyterian Church in America. It is subject to and subordinate to the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, the inerrant Word of God. The BCO is not just available in English, but has been translated into multiple languages, including Korean, Spanish, and Portuguese.
In Spanish, for instance, "Bco Congresos" is a trademark protected by Ávoris in the European Union and other countries. In the same vein, the Banco de España is referred to as "el BCO" in Spanish. In Portuguese, the term "BCO" is used, and in Korean, the term is written as "BCO".
While the BCO is a part of the constitution of the Presbyterian Church in America, it is not above scrutiny or immune to change. If there are disagreements with the BCO, there are established channels to address them and facilitate changes. However, individuals are not free to disregard the BCO as it carries binding constitutional authority.
An example of this authority can be seen in the case of a minister who took exception to fencing the table in 58-4. While the Presbytery initially allowed this exception, they were later informed by the General Assembly (GA) that it was not permitted. This incident underscores the importance of adhering to the BCO and the established processes for addressing exceptions or disagreements.
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Frequently asked questions
The PCA BCO stands for the Presbyterian Church in America Book of Church Order. It is a historical document that is also considered a living document as it is subject to change.
The PCA BCO is subordinate to the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments. It is considered to be the outworking of biblical principles in the ordering of the church.
The PCA BCO can be amended by a majority vote at the General Assembly, with the advice and consent of two-thirds of the presbyteries, followed by another majority vote at a subsequent General Assembly.
The process of amending the PCA BCO begins with a presbytery overturing the General Assembly to make a change. The clerk then sends the approved overture to the Stated Clerk of the General Assembly, who refers it to the Overtures Committee and the Committee on Constitutional Business for review. Once the amendment is passed, the Stated Clerk's office updates the print edition of the BCO and facilitates its translation into other languages.
