An Introduction to Polity and Sacraments Polity How

An Introduction to Polity and Sacraments

Polity, How We Govern • Episcopal (Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Anglican)—authority in the bishops (from Greek episcopos, “overseer”) • Congregational (UCC, many Baptists, EFCA)—authority in the local congregation (typically in some sort of church board or council)

Polity, How We Govern, cont’d • “Connectional”—PC(USA), RCA, CRC, authority in councils of presbyters elected by the people (not appointed by the State) – Church of England • God calls; the people choose; Christ appoints – It’s the Spirit! • Congregations gather together in presbyteries, presbyteries in synods and in General Assembly (GA)

Polity, How We Govern, cont’d • A sign of the unity of the church – one call, one mission in which all participate, building up one another to glorify God – Connection, cooperation, collaboration

Polity, How We Govern, cont’d • Congregations elect their ruling elders, the session • Presbyteries elect representatives to synod • Representatives elected by their presbyteries come together every two years for the General Assembly

Polity, How We Govern, cont’d • Synods provide resources for and oversee presbyteries • Presbyteries provide resources for and oversee congregations • General Assembly (GA) oversees the entire church

Polity, How We Govern, cont’d • A teaching elder is a member of his or her presbytery, not of the congregation he or she serves. . . • Session, presbytery, synod, and General Assembly are known as councils • Councils are called to nurture, guide, and govern • . . . to be active participants in the strengthening of the church and to give glory to God

Presby-this, Presby-that! • Presbyterian, presbyter, from Greek presbuteros, “elder” • Teaching elder (Minister of Word and Sacrament)—preaches and administers sacraments • Ruling elder—exercises discipline (encouraging Christian living and counseling with those who stumble)

Officers & Meetings • The pastor is the moderator of session, presiding at meetings of the session and the congregation • If the pastor is unable to preside at a particular meeting, he or she shall invite another teaching elder in the presbytery (or someone designated by the presbytery) to preside

Officers & Meetings • The moderator convenes and adjourns meetings and ensures that meetings are conducted in an orderly, efficient, and timely manner – and civilly, too!

Officers & Meetings • Each council elects a clerk to take and keep the minutes of its meetings, to maintain membership rolls, and to preserve its records • Clerk of session must be a ruling elder elected by the session (term determined by session)

Meetings • Council meetings open and close with prayer • Meetings shall adhere to parliamentary procedure (Robert’s Rules of Order)— motions, seconds, etc. • The point?

Meetings • Annual congregational meeting/s – – Electing elders, deacons Approving pastor’s terms of call Receiving reports (Does not adopt a budget—session’s responsibility) • Special congregational meeting – Calling a pastor – Dissolving a pastoral relationship • All active members present entitled to vote • Quorum is set by congregational rule

Session • All members of session entitled to vote • Shall not meet without a moderator (pastor, other teaching elder from presbytery invited by pastor, or person appointed by presbytery) • Session elects a commissioner to presbytery; the commissioner is a ruling elder; term should be at least one year

Session • Session may nominate to the presbytery ruling elders from the congregation to serve on presbytery teams or as commissioners to synod and General Assembly

Session • Stated meetings at least quarterly – “stated, ” publicly announced to the congregation (in written or oral form) with adequate, considerate notice • Quorum set by session – Must include moderator • Session elects a treasurer – Treasurer need not be an elder

Session • Some specially theological/pastoral concerns – Session has special care for ensuring the Word of God is truly preached and heard – Session has special care for the right administration of the Sacraments – Session has special care for encouraging Christian living among the congregation’s members and for counseling with those members who stumble

Outline of a Session Meeting (Clerk typically sets agenda in consultation with pastor) • Open with prayer • Review and approve minutes of last meeting – Approval by unanimous consent (“If there is no objection. . . ”) • Officers’ reports (clerk, pastor, treasurer) • Committee/Team reports

Outline of a Session Meeting • Unfinished/Old business – Matters left unresolved at an earlier meeting • New business – New items – Items “tabled” earlier in the same meeting • Close with prayer

A Motion • • Proposes an action to the body Requires a second Discussion Vote • “for the record”

Sacraments (There are two: Baptism, Lord’s Supper In them, God is • Sealing • Renewing • Marking In them, we are • Receiving • Remembering • Pledging

Sacraments It’s the Spirit!

Sacraments, Baptism • Baptism, the sign and symbol of inclusion in God’s grace and covenant with the Church – – – – God’s faithfulness Washing away of sin Rebirth Putting on Christ Sealed by the Spirit Adoption Resurrection and illumination in Christ

Sacraments, Lord’s Supper • Lord’s Supper, sign and seal of eating and drinking in communion with the crucified and risen Lord • Body and blood—signs of the new covenant

Sacraments, Lord’s Supper • Thanksgiving, “eucharist” • Remembering • Calling upon the Spirit

Sacraments, Lord’s Supper • • Roman Catholic, “transubstantiation” Lutheran, “consubstantiation” Zwinglian, memorial meal Calvin. . .

Sacraments It’s the Spirit!

Sacraments • Lord’s Supper shall be celebrated regularly and frequently • Always and only as approved by the session (Baptism, too) • Taking Communion to those physically unable to attend worship. . . • What to do with the leftovers?