Simone Lawson
The Book of Church Order (BCO) is part of the constitution of the Presbyterian Church in America, which is subject to and subordinate to the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments. The BCO lays out the ecclesiastical structure of the church, including the ecclesiastical jurisdiction exercised by presbyters (Elders) in the courts of the Church. While the BCO is a governing authority, it does not cover every question about church order. It also includes disciplinary and judicial procedures, as well as the bylaws and special rules of order of the General Synod. It's important to note that the BCO is just one part of the Constitutional Standards of the denomination, and it should be considered alongside the Westminster Confession of Faith, the Larger and Shorter Catechisms, and ultimately, Scripture.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Chapters | 1-26 |
| Subject Matter | Ecclesiastical structure, including the ecclesiastical jurisdiction exercised jointly by presbyters (Elders) |
| Includes | Disciplinary and judicial procedures, bylaws and special rules of order of the General Synod |
| Constitutional Authority | Only chapters 56, 57, 58, and 59-3 of the Directory for the Worship of God have been given full constitutional authority |
| Interpretation | If uncertain, advisory opinion can be requested from the Commission on Church Order |
| Binding | The BCO is binding and must be followed, or chaos results |
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What You'll Learn
The BCO is part of the constitution, but not all of it
The Book of Church Order (BCO) is a part of the constitution of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA). The BCO lays out the ecclesiastical structure of the PCA, including the ecclesiastical jurisdiction exercised by presbyters (Elders) in the courts of the Church. The BCO also includes disciplinary and judicial procedures, as well as the bylaws and special rules of order of the General Synod.
However, it is important to note that not all chapters of the BCO are considered constitutional. Specifically, only chapters 56, 57, 58, and 59-3 of the Directory for the Worship of God (Part III of the BCO, chapters 47 through 63) have been given full constitutional authority. These chapters deal with the sacraments and are considered binding, while the rest of the Directory for Worship is merely advisory, although it is still to be 'taken seriously'.
In addition, the BCO is just one part of the PCA's constitutional standards. The Westminster Confession of Faith (WCF), the Larger and Shorter Catechisms, and ultimately, the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, are also considered part of the PCA's constitution. The BCO is subject to and subordinate to these other elements of the constitution.
While the BCO is a governing authority for the Church, it is not the only authority. Ministers and churches are expected to abide by the BCO, but there are processes for appealing and changing aspects of the BCO if disagreements arise. Exceptions to the BCO may be granted in certain cases, but these exceptions cannot be made unilaterally by individual ministers or churches. Instead, they must be approved by the appropriate church courts or assemblies, such as the Session, Presbyteries, or the General Assembly.
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Chapters 47-63 of the Directory for the Worship of God
Chapter 47 of the DPW establishes the basic principles of public worship, including the importance of keeping the Sabbath day holy and participating in public and private worship. Chapters 48-50 provide guidance on the preparation for public worship, including the role of ministers and the importance of reading and preaching Scripture. Chapter 51 focuses on the elements of public worship, such as prayer and the singing of psalms and hymns.
Chapters 52-55 provide specific instructions for the administration of sacraments, such as baptism and the Lord's Supper. Chapter 52 outlines the procedures for baptism, including the requirement for adults to make a public profession of faith before the congregation and for parents to receive instruction on the nature, privileges, and responsibilities of baptism. Chapter 53 emphasizes the importance of the Lord's Supper as a means of grace and fellowship, and provides guidelines for its administration.
Chapters 56-59 of the DPW are the only chapters within this section that have been granted full constitutional authority. They outline the vows made by members of the church, including acknowledgement of sin and the need for salvation, as well as the promise to support and submit to the authority of the church.
Chapters 60-63 provide guidelines for special services such as weddings, funerals, and the visitation of the sick. These chapters are considered an "approved guide" that should be taken seriously, but they do not carry the same weight as the constitutionally mandated chapters.
Overall, Chapters 47-63 of the Directory for the Worship of God provide a comprehensive framework for the PCA's public worship practices, striking a balance between uniformity and flexibility to guide the churches in their administration of worship.
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Disciplinary and judicial procedures
The Book of Church Order (BCO) is part of the constitution of the Presbyterian Church in America. It lays out the ecclesiastical structure of the church, including the various courts, or assemblies, of the church, which are called Sessions, Presbyteries, and the General Assembly. These courts are composed exclusively of presbyters or elders. The BCO also includes disciplinary and judicial procedures, bylaws, and special rules of order of the General Synod.
The BCO gives authority to the assemblies to decide many issues related to the general superintendence of the church. The BCO generally vests the most authority in the lower assemblies—the classis and the consistory. The classis and the consistory are responsible for interpreting the BCO and providing advisory responses to requests for interpretation.
The Book of Discipline outlines disciplinary procedures for members of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church. For example, when a member of a particular church informs the session that they no longer wish to remain in the fellowship, and the session's efforts to dissuade them have failed, the session shall erase their name from the roll and record the circumstances in its minutes. Similarly, when a member unites with another church denomination without a certificate of dismission, or cannot be found, or persists in attending another church, the session may erase their name from the roll.
Original jurisdiction over judicatories belongs to the next higher judicatory. All certificates of dismission shall specify the particular body to which the person is dismissed and shall be sent directly to that body by the dismissing judicatory. If a person charged with an offense requests to be dismissed to another body within the church, the request shall only be granted for weighty reasons. If the request is granted, the dismissing judicatory must inform the receiving body of the charge and any action taken. The receiving body shall then conclude the case.
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Bylaws and special rules of the General Synod
The Book of Church Order (BCO) is the constitution of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA). It lays out the ecclesiastical structure of the PCA and consists of the Form of Government, the Rules of Discipline, and the Directory for Worship.
The BCO also includes disciplinary and judicial procedures, as well as the bylaws and special rules of order of the General Synod. The bylaws and special rules of the General Synod are not explicitly mentioned as chapters in the BCO. However, the BCO does reference the Minutes of General Synod, which can be used to understand the background of recent amendments.
The General Synod is the most senior body that represents the entire Church of England. It is a tricameral deliberative and legislative organ, consisting of the House of Bishops, the House of Clergy, and the House of Laity. The synod initiates, scrutinizes, debates, and passes legislation on a wide range of issues related to the Church of England. This includes changing key doctrines, creating new guidance for worship, and adjusting rules on clergy retirement.
The United Church of Christ (UCC) also has a General Synod, which is responsible for reviewing and acting on proposed amendments to the UCC Constitution and Bylaws. The UCC Bylaws outline the terms of directors and members serving on various boards and committees within the church. Changes to the frequency of the General Synod have also led to proposed changes in the term lengths of these roles.
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The BCO is subordinate to Scripture
The Book of Church Order (BCO) is a 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, which are considered the inerrant Word of God. This means that while the BCO provides the ecclesiastical structure and guidelines for the church, it is ultimately guided by and subservient to the teachings and principles found in the Scriptures.
The BCO outlines the Form of Government, the Rules of Discipline, and the Directory for Worship of the Presbyterian Church. It establishes the ecclesiastical jurisdiction of presbyters, or Elders, who work together in the courts of the Church, including Sessions, Presbyteries, and the General Assembly. These courts, though different in grade, are inherently one in nature, possessing the same elements, rights, and powers.
The BCO also includes disciplinary and judicial procedures, as well as the bylaws and special rules of order of the General Synod. It gives authority to the lower assemblies, such as the classis and the consistory, to decide on many issues related to the general superintendence of the church. However, it is important to note that the BCO does not cover every possible question or scenario that may arise in church order.
While the BCO is a crucial part of the Presbyterian Church's constitution, it is not the sole authority. It is one leg of the Constitutional Standards of the denomination, which also include the Westminster Confession (WCF) and the Larger Catechism. Ultimately, the Scriptures take precedence and are the final authority. This hierarchical structure ensures that the BCO is interpreted and applied in a manner consistent with the teachings of the Bible.
In conclusion, the BCO plays a significant role in the governance and structure of the Presbyterian Church in America. However, its position as subordinate to Scripture is essential to understand. The BCO's guidelines and procedures are derived from biblical principles and are intended to be consistent with the Word of God. This subordinate relationship between the BCO and Scripture maintains the theological integrity of the church and guides its practices and beliefs.
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Frequently asked questions
The Book of Church Order, commonly referred to as BCO, is part of the constitution of the Presbyterian Church in America.
The BCO is one leg of the Constitutional Standards of the denomination. It lays out the ecclesiastical structure of the church and is the governing authority of the church.
The BCO consists of the Form of Government, the Rules of Discipline, and the Directory for Worship.
Yes, only BCO chapters 56, 57, 58, and 59-3 of the Directory for the Worship of God have been given full constitutional authority.
No, a minister is not permitted to practice an exception to the BCO.
