1 New Form of Government (nFOG). 2 Approved by the 219 th General (2010) Assembly and sent to...
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Transcript of 1 New Form of Government (nFOG). 2 Approved by the 219 th General (2010) Assembly and sent to...
1
New Form of Government (nFOG)
2
New Form of Government (nFOG)
Approved by the 219th General (2010) Assembly and sent to
Presbyteries for ratification.
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Introduction
What is nFoG?
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The PC(USA) ConstitutionPart One Part Two
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Form of Government
The PC(USA) Constitution
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Form of Government
Directory for Worship
The PC(USA) Constitution
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Form of Government
Directory for Worship
Rules of Discipline
The PC(USA) Constitution
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Directory for Worship
Rules of Discipline
The PC(USA) Constitution
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Directory for Worship
Rules of Discipline
Foundations of Presbyterian Polity
Form of Government
The PC(USA) Constitution
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Form of Government
146
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Foundations of Presbyterian Polity
• Nearly all of the current first four chapters preserved
• Similar themes grouped together
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Chapters
1: Congregations and Membership
2: Ordered Ministries, Commissioning, and Certification
3: Councils
4: Church and Civil Authorities
5: Ecumenicity and Union
6: Interpreting and Amending the Constitution
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Effect of nFOG
On Presbyteries
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Nomenclature Changes
Governing Body Council (G-3.0101)
Minister of Word and Sacrament
Teaching Elder (G-2.0501)
Elder Ruling Elder (G-2.0301)
Commissioned Lay Pastor (CLP)
Commissioned Ruling Elder (G-2.1001)
Ordained Ordered Ministry (G-2.0102)
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What Didn’t Change?
nFOG Committee had mandate from GA not to change the ordination standards or property trust rules.
Ordination Standards G-6.0106b G-2.0104b
Property Trust G-8.0201 G-4.0203
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Membership Categories (G-2.0503)
Installed pastor, co-pastor or associate pastor
Validated MinistryMember at LargeHonorably RetiredNote that there is no longer an “inactive
member”Failure to work in a validated ministry for 3
years results in loss of membership. (G-2.0508)
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Installed Pastor (G-2.0504a)
Categories Pastor Co-pastor Associate Pastor
Now they may be installed for definite or indefinite time.
What we now call a designated pastor is just one of the above installed for a definite period of time.
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Temporary Pastors (G-2.0504b)
Title is decided by the Presbytery No required names, such as “stated supply”, “temporary
supply”, “interim”, etc.
Terms are decided by the Presbytery Must not exceed 12 months, but may be renewed
indefinitely.
No formal call or installation. May serve as next installed pastor, associate
pastor or co-pastor with ¾ vote of Presbytery. (G-2.0504c)
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Associate Pastor (G-2.0504c)
Generally, an associate pastor cannot become the next installed pastor or co-pastor.
Exception: An installed associate pastor may become the next installed pastor or co-pastor with a ¾ vote of Presbytery.
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Committee on Ministry (G-3.0106)
Only the core responsibilities and authorities are given.
All else must be stated in an operating manual.
The name “Committee on Ministry” doesn’t have to exist, only the functions.
Might cause some confusion trying to contact who we now call the COM chair.
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Preparation for Ministry (G-2.06)
Only a broad statement of responsibilities and purposes is given.
Similar to COM, only the core requirements are specified.
Details must be developed by the Presbytery in a manual of operations. Current process in G-14 may be used as that manual.
Nearly all details of the preparation process is left to the presbytery.
No requirement for a group named Committee on Preparation for Ministry (CPM).
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Council (G-3.0109)
What we used to know as “Governing Bodies,” “Adjudicatories,” “Courts,” “Holders of Very Long Meetings”
We can create a groups like our current Councils, CWSW, CM&N, CASS, GC and name it and give it whatever functions we desire.
Need to change the name since “Council” is now used in another way.
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Committee on Representation (G-3.0103)
Required for Councils above the session.May use whatever name we wish.Empowers Councils to implement polices
for diversity that are effective for that council.
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Certified Church Service (G-2.11)
Certified Christian EducatorCertified Associate Christian EducatorOther certified service as approved by
presbytery.
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Officers (G-3.0104)
Constitutional Officers Moderator for a set term (no longer limited to 1
yr) Stated Clerk for a set term
Such other officers as the Council (Presbytery) determines, such as: Vice Moderator Treasurer
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Administration (G-3.0106)
Council (Presbytery) must develop an administrative manual to define details no longer in the FOG.
A Council (Presbytery) may delegate authorities and responsibilities to other entities as long as that entity is responsible to the Council.
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Synod (G-3.0404)
A Council (Synod) may decide to reduce it’s functions to as little as
judicial process administrative review.
Must be approved by 2/3 of its Councils (Presbyteries).
Functions abandoned are given to the Councils (Presbyteries) by mutual agreement.
Must meet at least once every two years.
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What is different about nFOG?
Fewer chaptersLess detailedMore of a constitution than a manual of
operationsAllows much more flexibility rather than
the “one size fits all” current FoG.Seeks to focus on mission rather than
regulation.
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What is different about nFOG?
A lot of work during the transition to write manual of operations.
Introduces some confusion in relating functions of a Council (presbytery) (e.g. who to call to get in touch with COM?)
Will all teaching ministers, elders and deacons be ordained to same “standards”?
Ambiguity as we get used to nFOG.