Presbyterian Polity

The PC(USA) Constitution

Part One: The Book of Confessions

Nicene Creed

Apostles Creed

Scots Conf

Heidelberg Catechism

Second Helvetic Conf

Westminster Conf

Westminster Shorter

Westminster Larger

Barmen Declaration

Conf of 1967

Brief Statement

Part Two: The Book of Order

The Form of Government

The Directory for Worship

The Rules of Discipline

All officers, ministers, ruling All officers, ministers, ruling elders and deacons, answer elders and deacons, answer the same questions at the the same questions at the time of ordination, except time of ordination, except the last question, which is the last question, which is

one of function.one of function.

Do you trust in Jesus Christ your Do you trust in Jesus Christ your Savior, acknowledge him Lord of all Savior, acknowledge him Lord of all

and Head of the Church, and through and Head of the Church, and through him believe in one God, Father, Son him believe in one God, Father, Son

and Holy Spirit?and Holy Spirit?

Do you accept the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments to be, by

the Holy Spirit, the unique and authoritative witness to Jesus Christ in the Church universal, and God’s

Word to you?

Do you sincerely receive and adopt the essential tenets of the Reformed faith as expressed in the confession of our

church as authentic and reliable expositions of what Scripture leads us to

believe and do, and will you be instructed and led by those confessions

as you lead the people of God?

Changes to the Book of Order

Provide for more governance in lower councils and allow more

flexibility for smaller presbyteries and churches to continue in

mission.

Who attends General Assembly?

Who attends General Assembly?

Commissioners are elected by each of the 172 presbyteries

to represent them at the Assembly. There is parity

between elders and ministers.

Who attends General Assembly?

Our commissioners for the 221st General Assembly were

Ruling Elder Phyllis Winzenried and the Rev. Dave Burgess.Our Young Adult Advisory

Delegate was Kayla Beasley from Ash Grove.

Who attends General Assembly?

Presbytery and Synod leadership

General Assembly leadershipThose interested in certain

itemsThose who want to

experience the connectionalism

How do items get to General Assembly?

1. Sessions can write an overture to send to presbytery

2. Presbyteries can write an overture3. Committees of General Assembly

can send items

How to see first-hand the items considered at GA and the rationale for each item.

www.pc-biz.org

What Happens After GA?Amendments to the Book of Order

are voted upon by the presbyteries and must receive approval by a simple majority in order to be

included.Our presbytery is voting on Feb. 28

at First, Branson.First and Calvary has four ruling

elder commissioners.

What Happens After GA?Amendments to the Book of

Confessions are voted upon by the presbyteries and must receive approval by 2/3 in order to be

included and then must be voted on and approved by the following

General Assembly.

What Happens After GA?Items for advisement, like

divestment or studies, are sent to the appropriate committees of

General Assembly for their work.

What do GA actions mean to the local

church?Changes in the wording regarding

marriage are not binding. Sessions always vote on weddings in the church and pastors always have discretion about whether to

perform a wedding.

What do GA actions mean to the local

church?Advisory votes on divestment and study of issues are never binding

to a local church.

Other Places for Information

www.jcpresbytery.com

General Assembly in Brief

www.pcusa.org