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目錄 Content
A-威斯敏斯特信仰告白與改革宗長老教會見證
The Westminster Confession of Faith and the Reformed Presbyterian Testimony
B-大要理問答 B-1
The Larger Catechism B-1
C-小要理問答 C-1
The Shorter Catechism C-1
D-教會治理指引
Directory for Church Government
E-教會紀律手冊
The Book of Discipline
F-公共崇拜規範
The Directory of Public Worship
G-起誓G-1
Vows
H-建議表格.H-1
Suggested Forms
I-憲章的歷史
History of the Standards
1871 年的盟約
The Covenant of 1871
索引 J-1
Index
The Westminster Confession of Faith and the Reformed Presbyterian Testimony
B-大要理問答 B-1
The Larger Catechism B-1
C-小要理問答 C-1
The Shorter Catechism C-1
D-教會治理指引
Directory for Church Government
E-教會紀律手冊
The Book of Discipline
F-公共崇拜規範
The Directory of Public Worship
G-起誓G-1
Vows
H-建議表格.H-1
Suggested Forms
I-憲章的歷史
History of the Standards
1871 年的盟約
The Covenant of 1871
索引 J-1
Index
D-教會治理規範
Directory for Church Government
簡介 D1
第一章:教會領聖餐成員 The Communicant Membership of the Church............................................. D1
第二章:教會 The Congregation.................................................................................................................. D4
第三章:教會承受職分者 The Officers of the Church.................................................................................D6
1-長老:治理長老 Elders: Ruling Elders..............................................................................................D6
A-資格 Qualifications
B-職責 Duties
C-特權 Privileges
D-選舉程序 Procedure for Election
E-考試、按立,和設立的程序 Procedure for Examination, Ordination and Installation
2-長老:教導長老 (牧師)Elders: Teaching Elder.........................................................................D12
A-資格 Qualifications
B-職責 Duties
C-準備工作
1-初始步驟
2-講道資格(取得執照的第一部)Eligibility to Preach (First Step for Licensure)
3-被呼召的資格 (取得執照的最後一步)Eligibility for a Call (Final Step for Licensure)
第四章 堂會 The Session ..............................................................................................................................D28
第五章 執事會 The Board of Deacons.........................................................................................................D30
第六章 區會 The Presbytery..........................................................................................................................D31
第七章 組織新教會 Organizing New Congregation....................................................................................D34
第八章 總會 The Synod..................................................................................................................................D38
第九章 總會的議事規則 Rules of Order for a Meeting of Synod..............................................................D42
第一章:教會領聖餐成員 The Communicant Membership of the Church............................................. D1
第二章:教會 The Congregation.................................................................................................................. D4
第三章:教會承受職分者 The Officers of the Church.................................................................................D6
1-長老:治理長老 Elders: Ruling Elders..............................................................................................D6
A-資格 Qualifications
B-職責 Duties
C-特權 Privileges
D-選舉程序 Procedure for Election
E-考試、按立,和設立的程序 Procedure for Examination, Ordination and Installation
2-長老:教導長老 (牧師)Elders: Teaching Elder.........................................................................D12
A-資格 Qualifications
B-職責 Duties
C-準備工作
1-初始步驟
2-講道資格(取得執照的第一部)Eligibility to Preach (First Step for Licensure)
3-被呼召的資格 (取得執照的最後一步)Eligibility for a Call (Final Step for Licensure)
第四章 堂會 The Session ..............................................................................................................................D28
第五章 執事會 The Board of Deacons.........................................................................................................D30
第六章 區會 The Presbytery..........................................................................................................................D31
第七章 組織新教會 Organizing New Congregation....................................................................................D34
第八章 總會 The Synod..................................................................................................................................D38
第九章 總會的議事規則 Rules of Order for a Meeting of Synod..............................................................D42
INTRODUCTION
The purpose of the Directory is to provide the Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America definitions and procedures to implement the doctrinal statements concerning the nature of the church and its government, as they have been stated in the Westminster Confession of Faith and the Testimony of the Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America. For the purposes of this Directory, “fundamental law” refers to the Westminster Confession and Catechisms and the Reformed Presbyterian Testimony. The “law and order of the church” refers to the Directory for Church Government, the Book of Discipline and the Directory for Worship together with the actions of the Synod. These definitions and procedures as set down in this Directory are to be received as official statements declaring the law and order of the church. The Directory may be amended by any given Synod by a two-thirds majority vote. If, however, Synod considers that the item before it should have the consideration and discussion of the sessions, it can by a simple majority vote decide to use the procedure of sending proposed amendments down in overture; however, any such amendments must be adopted by a two-thirds vote of the Synod before they can be sent down in overture to the sessions. The same amend- ment process shall be followed for The Book of Discipline and The Directory of Public Worship. CHAPTER 1 The Communicant Membership of the Church 1. Any person capable of forming moral judgments and of making decisions for himself may be received into communicant membership in the Reformed Presbyterian Church, upon credible profession of faith, baptism, and acceptance of the Covenant of Church Membership. Communicant members have an obligation to present their children for baptism and to do all in their power to rear their children so that they will seek communicant membership in the church. 【D-1】 2. In a regularly organized congregation it belongs to the session alone to admit to membership in the church. In extraordinary circumstances, such as the organization of a new congregation, presbytery may assume this function or delegate it to a temporary governing body. In the early stages of work in a foreign mission field, special powers may be exercised by the missionaries in this regard until such time as a congregation with a regular session can be organized.
3. Classes should be conducted, under the oversight of the session, for bap- tized children as well as for prospective members for their instruction in the principles of truth maintained by the Church with a view to preparing them to be communicant members. 4. Candidates for communicant membership shall be examined by the session in constituted court. The examination shall seek to bring out the degree of the candidate’s knowledge of Divine truth, his personal sense of sin and need of salvation and his knowledge of and willing acceptance of the Covenant of Church Membership including the distinctive principles of the Reformed Presbyterian Church. The degree of knowledge necessary for admission depends, to a considerable extent, upon the capacity of the candidate and the opportunities which he has had for acquiring such knowledge. Children should be encouraged to memorize the Shorter Catechism and urged to read and study the Testimony and Confession of Faith as they come to years of fuller understanding. No one should be admitted who is ignorant of the plan of sal- vation, or who gives no credible evidence of having been born again, or who assumes an attitude antagonistic to the principles set forth in the standards of the Church. 5. When the candidates have given assent to the Covenant of Church Membership and when their examination has been sustained, they shall, if they have been baptized, be declared in communicant membership and may sign the Covenant of Church Membership. After prayer on their behalf, the members of the session shall welcome them by extending the right hand of fellowship. 6. Where there is no definite knowledge that a candidate has been baptized in a true church as defined by Synod (chap. 25 of the Westminster Confession of Faith and the Testimony of the Reformed Presbyterian Church), this sacrament shall be administered. 7. The new members should be publicly recognized. This may be done by having them stand before the congregation to give public assent to the Covenant of Church Membership. The congregation may be asked to join in giving assent to the Covenant. This question shall be addressed to the congregation: “Do you, 【D-2】 the members of this congregation, welcome into your fellowship these who have now professed their faith in Christ, and have been received by your session;
and do you promise to help and encourage them in the Christian life?” The con- gregation should respond, “We do.” A few words of counsel may be given to the new members and prayer offered in their behalf. 8. Members should willingly consecrate their talents and gifts to the service of Christ. They should prayerfully consider accepting a position in the church when called to do so. 9. A member of any congregation of any Reformed Presbyterian Church, in this or other lands, may be received into communicant membership of any congregation of the church, upon presentation of a certificate from the session of his congregation. An applicant from another denomination shall satisfy the session of his acceptance of the basic truths of the historic Christian faith and of the Covenant of Church Membership. Certificates shall be valid for one year only from the date of issue, unless reasons can be shown for the delay in presenting them. If a certificate states exceptions, or grounds of censure, the applicant shall give full satisfaction to the session before being admitted. 10. Neglect of the ordinances should be a matter of church discipline; but where a member has, for a period of one year failed to attend, to contribute, or to give any other evidence of interest and cannot be contacted, he may be removed from the roll of communicant membership. The session officially shall attempt to notify him of that action. He may be restored to communicant membership when he has given credible evidence of adherence to the Cov- enant of Church Membership. 11. A member of the Church moving from one congregation to another congre- gation in the denomination shall be given a certificate of transfer of membership at his request. Notice shall also be given to the session of the congregation to which he desires transfer. A person leaving the membership of the Reformed Presbyterian Church shall also be given a certificate of transfer of membership including any qualifications the session has in its records. 12. If a member becomes a member of another denomination without a regular dismissal, the session shall record the fact and remove his name from the roll. If charges are pending against him these charges may be prosecuted. 13. A member certified to another congregation of the denomination is under the jurisdiction of the session issuing his certificate of membership until he has been received by the session to which he has been certified, but shall not be entitled to vote or hold office. A certificate of transfer of membership becomes effective immediately. A person restored to membership in a congregation by the return of a certificate of transfer to the session which issued it, is not entitled 【D-3】 to exercise the functions of any office previously held. He may, however, be re-elected to the same.
14. Presbytery may establish a temporary roll of membership. Such a roll may be used for a mission church or may authorize the temporary governing body to receive members on such a roll. It may also be used when a congregation becomes disorganized. It is to be considered a temporary roll. In the case of disorganization, those placed on the rolls of presbytery should become mem- bers of another congregation within one year. Diligent effort should be made to retain members in the Reformed Presbyterian Church. CHAPTER 2 The Congregation 1. A congregation is organized on the basis of the standards of the Reformed Presbyterian Church and in conformity with its law and order. A fully organized congregation is made up of a group of members with a session of elders for the oversight of the congregation and a board of deacons responsible chiefly for the ministry of mercy and stewardship. The teaching elder/pastor is a member of the congregation and his ministerial credentials are held by the presbytery. Presbyteries are directed to exercise due care and diligence to see that both sessions and boards of deacons are duly chosen, ordained and established in every congregation under their care. All ordained officers shall be chosen by vote of the congregation, and every communicant member shall have an equal voice in such choice. 2. Children of communicant members of the Church, in consequence of their covenant relationship, shall receive baptism, pastoral care and instruction, and are baptized members of the Church, but are not to be admitted to the Lord’s Supper until they have reached years of understanding and have voluntarily professed their faith in Christ and assumed for themselves the vows and ob- ligations of the Covenant of Church Membership. Baptized members have no vote in the congregational meetings. 3. Persons, not members of the congregation, who regularly attend the services, participate in the worship, and contribute to the support are known as adherents. They have no vote in the congregational meetings. 4. In many states or provinces, congregations are required to have a Board of Trustees in whom the title of the church property is vested and who rep- resent the congregation in all legal matters. The Board shall be elected from the membership of the congregation and shall have no duties beyond those necessary to fulfill the legal requirements. For efficiency in handling its affairs, the membership and officers of the Board of Trustees may be identical with or chosen from the Board of Deacons. D-4 5. The session shall have general oversight and review of all organizations within the congregation. These may include a Sabbath school for study based on the Scriptures; a mid-week meeting; missionary and young people’s societies, and other fellowship groups. There may be other organizations, as desired, provided they promote the principles, practices and ministries of the Church. 6. Every congregation is under special obligation to give religious instruction to the youth, to seek the salvation of the lost, and to declare the whole Gospel to all within its reach. A congregation has certain other responsibilities among which are: To elect its own elders and deacons; to transact its business; to require reports from its organizations, officers and committees; to petition the courts of the church for any action it may desire; to appeal from decisions of the lower courts to the higher; to maintain the ordinances of public worship; to provide a suitable place of worship and equipment to carry on its activities; to be obe- dient in the Lord to the law and order of the Church, with care to maintain a godly fellowship in love and loyalty and support to all its members and to the denomination. 7. An annual meeting of the congregation shall be held to hear reports and transact business. Special meetings may be called by the session either on its own volition, or at the written request of the board of deacons, or by petition of the congregation, if the purpose(s) be of sufficient importance and in accordance with the law and order of the Church. The purpose(s) of such meeting shall be stated in the notice, and no other business shall be transacted. Notice of all congregational meetings shall be given at the public services on two preceding Lord’s Days. If the congregation has no public meeting, ten days’ notice by mail or other suitable means of communication shall be sufficient. 8. All congregational meetings shall be under the supervision of the session, either directly leading the meeting or overseeing the election of congregational officers to lead the meeting. The congregational meetings shall be governed according to the common rules as applied in ecclesiastical assemblies. The clerk of session or a congregational secretary shall record all proceedings in the minutes. Unless otherwise specified in the charter, one-fourth of the active resident communicant membership shall constitute a quorum for the transac- tion of ordinary business, but no business vitally affecting the welfare of the congregation should be transacted without the presence of at least one-half the active resident communicant membership. Meetings for the election of a teaching elder, ruling elders or deacons shall be under the supervision of the session in constituted court and presided over by its moderator. 9. A congregation becomes disorganized when the session is reduced to less than two resident elders. Two elders will suffice to hold the organization. The presbytery may enable the congregation to continue its existence by appointing an elder(s) from a neighboring congregation to act with the remaining resident elder as a provisional session until such time as a new elder(s) may be elected. 【D-5】 An alternative procedure is to reduce the congregation to a preaching station under the immediate supervision of presbytery. 10. Two congregations may agree to unite by a two-thirds majority vote in each congregation and with the sanction of presbytery. The plan of union shall provide for adjustment of the pastorates, of the sessions and boards of deacons, and of other congregational organizations. This plan shall be adopted by each congregation before being made effective by presbytery. 11. The congregation, or its boards, holds the property of the congregation in trust for the Synod and cannot divert it from the use to which it was originally intended. The property is in law a trust which the civil courts will protect. If a congregation wishes to change the location of its place of worship, it shall first secure the approval of presbytery both as to removal and as to the new location. A particular congregation shall not sell or mortgage property without the written permission of the presbytery transmitted through the session of the congregation. When a presbytery determines that a congregation is disorga- nized, title to all properties held by or for the congregation shall immediately be transferred to Synod’s Board of Trustees who shall determine with the counsel of the appropriate presbytery the disposition of such properties and/ or proceeds of the same. Distribution of assets or expenditures beyond the normal course of operation may not be made in anticipation of disorganiza- tion without prior approval of the presbytery and the Trustees of Synod. (For policies and procedures, see 1972 Minutes of Synod, pages 13, 150-152.) CHAPTER 3 The Officers of the Church The Scriptures indicate no separation of office as regards the ruling and teach- ing that is to be carried on in Christ’s church. According to their qualifications and circumstances elders will exhibit gifts that enable them to discern and meet the needs of the flock through oversight (ruling) and exhortation. Among them will be those more qualified to engage in the study and public proclamation of the Scriptures. This distinction of function warrants the continuance of the popular titles of “ruling elder” and “teaching elder” when understood as stated above. The office of deacon was given by the Holy Spirit to the New Testament church to assist the church in the fulfillment of its ministry. I. ELDERS: RULING ELDERS A. Qualifications Those eligible to be called as ruling elders must: 1. Be male communicant members in good standing of the Reformed Pres- byterian Church. D-6 2. Evidence the standards of character and conduct consistent with those set forth in 1 Timothy 3:1-7; in Titus 1:5-9; and 1 Peter 5:1-3.
3. Be knowledgeable and committed to the subordinate doctrinal standards of the denomination as being consistent with the Scriptures. B. Duties The duties of ruling elders include:
C. Privileges The privileges of ruling elders include:
D-7 a. Occasional ministry of the Word in the congregation at the request of the session or at the request of another court.
b. Occasional ministry of the Word within the denomination where spe- cifically requested by another court. c. Occasional pronouncing of God’s benediction upon His people. 5. A ruling elder may qualify for more regular occasional preaching of the Word and pronouncing the benediction at the appointment of his session or another court of the church by satisfying the presbytery of his readiness for this ministry by being examined in personal godliness, Bible Knowledge, sys- tematic theology, and the preaching of an expository sermon. (See Eligibility to Preach, IIc2e). 6. Under extraordinary circumstances, to administer the sacraments when specifically appointed to do so on a given occasion by the presbytery. 7. Appointment, in special circumstances by presbytery, to serve as a provi- sional elder of another session. D. Procedure for Election 1. Authorization An election of ruling elders may be authorized as follows: a. The initiative for an election of elders must include one or more of the following: (1) An appeal from the congregation to the session to increase the number of elders. (2) A judgment of the session that there are qualified men in the con- gregation and that an increase in the number of elders is needed. (3) A directive by presbytery for a session to hold an election under extraordinary circumstances. b. An election for elders is to be conducted by the session at a specially called meeting of the congregation. 2. Calling a Meeting The procedure to call a meeting will be: a. The session shall issue an edict setting the date, time and place for an election. b. Eight days’ notice of the meeting shall be given publicly to the con- gregation by reading of the edict at the worship services on the two preceding Lord’s Days. c. If the congregation has no public meeting, ten days’ notice by mail or phone to all members who can be reached shall be sufficient. D-8 3. Order of Meeting
The order of the meeting shall be as follows: a. The congregation having been called together for the election, the session shall be constituted by the moderator or presbytery’s appointee. b. The session shall have a complete list of all communicant members of the congregation in good standing from which a quorum is to be deter- mined (one-half of the active communicant resident members). A quorum is necessary for each ballot. c. Inquiry by the moderator if the congregation still desires to proceed with the election. d. The final reading of the edict. e. Worship, with a sermon, shall be conducted under the direction of the session. f. The election shall be conducted. g. The court shall be adjourned with prayer. 4. Balloting The election shall be conducted as follows: a. The session may indicate their judgment as to the number of positions to be filled by the election. Such judgment shall be based on the needs of the congregation and the evidence of spiritual maturity of potential candidates. b. Session may submit a list of nominations. c. If the session has indicated its desire for a certain number of elders, its list of nominees shall not contain less than that number. d. Nominations may also be made by a communicant member of the congregation present. e. The election may also proceed without nominations. f. Even when nominations have been made, votes may be cast for any qualified candidate. g. Voting shall be by ballot with the session taking due precaution to ensure the integrity of the vote. h. When the number to be elected is determined, the number of names per ballot is not to exceed the announced number to be elected. i. Communicant members unable to attend the meeting may send their votes in writing (also known as absentee votes), enclosed in sealed enve- lopes which bear their names and are addressed to the session. Absentee votes are valid only on the first electing ballot. j. The use of a nominating ballot is not encouraged; if it is used, absentee votes are valid only on the first electing ballot. Absentee votes will not be used on a nominating ballot. k. Only those receiving at least two-thirds of the votes cast shall be de- clared elders-elect. Blank ballots shall not be counted in determining the total number of votes cast. A ballot marked “No,” indicating that the person desires not to vote for any candidate, should be counted in determining the total number of votes cast. l. If a two-thirds vote has not been reached after three ballots, the mod- erator, in consultation with the session, may postpone the election. D-9 m. Two tellers shall be appointed by the moderator to collect the ballots and tabulate the results of the election and report to the moderator.
E. Procedure for Examination, Ordination and Installation 1. Examination The examination of an elder-elect shall proceed as follows: a. The elder-elect shall notify the session, preferably within two weeks, regarding his intention to accept or decline the call of the congregation. b. If the elder-elect indicates his desire to accept the call, the session shall meet in constituted court to examine him with respect to his qualifications as stated above in section I.A. c. The elder-elect shall be examined in his soundness in the faith and commitment to the Testimony of the Reformed Presbyterian Church. d. If the session shall judge any elder-elect unfit for the office, it shall not proceed with his ordination and/or installation. e. Ordination will not be required if: (1) An elder-elect holds ordination in the denomination as an elder. (2) An elder-elect is certified as having been ordained to an equivalent office in another true branch of the visible church and has met our denominational conditions to be a ruling elder. f. Public ordination and/or installation to the session will be required of all elders-elect who have declared their desire to serve and have been examined and approved by the session. 2. Authorization The session shall authorize the ordination and/or installation in the following manner: a. The session shall set the time, date and place for the ordination and installation of qualified elders-elect. (Any objections by the congregation shall be presented to the session in writing prior to the called meeting. Session shall act on the objection prior to the called meeting.) b. Notice of the date, time, location, and names of the elder(s)-elect shall be given by the installing session to all sessions within the presbytery. 3. Calling a Meeting To call a meeting for ordination and/or installation: a. An edict shall be prepared by the session. b. The edict shall be read eight days prior to the congregational meeting at the worship services on the two preceding Lord’s Days. c. If the congregation has no public meeting, ten days’ notice by mail or phone to all members who can be reached shall be sufficient. 4. Order of Meeting The order of the meeting shall be as follows: a. The session shall be constituted by the moderator or presbytery’s appointee, and the privileges of the floor shall be extended to all elders of the denomination present. D-10 b. A quorum of one-half of the active resident communicant membership shall be confirmed.
c. The edict shall be read for the final time. d. Worship, with a sermon, shall be conducted under the direction of the session. e. An appointed elder shall narrate the previous steps leading up to the ordination and/or installation. f. An appointed elder shall ask the appropriate Queries for Ordination of the candidates and elicit an affirmative response. g. Candidates shall publicly sign the Queries for Ordination. h. In the case of ordination and installation the candidate shall kneel for prayer and all elders present shall be invited to join in the laying on of hands. i. In the case of installation only an installation prayer shall be offered. j. An elder shall offer the prayer of ordination and/or installation in the name and by the authority of Jesus Christ. k. The elders shall extend the right hand of fellowship receiving the newly installed elder(s). l. Special charges to the newly installed elder(s) and to the congregation should be given at the discretion of the session. m. The session shall adjourn and close the meeting with prayer and the benediction. n. Opportunity shall be given to the congregation and friends to greet the newly installed elder(s). 5. Cessation of Service on a Session A ruling elder’s service may cease under the following circumstances: a. An elder may request the session to accept his resignation from ses- sional responsibilities within the congregation. Conferring the title of ‘emeritus’ in cases of long, faithful service should be considered. b. An elder whose resignation has been accepted must be re-elected in order to serve again in that office. c. An elder no longer serving regularly on the session to which he was installed for reasons of distance, health, or other justifiable reasons may be relieved of his duties; his session shall move with care to relieve him of the official exercise of his office and declare his status to be inactive (i.e. non-voting). In cases of suspension, see Book of Discipline. d. An elder or his session may arrange for a sabbatical leave of absence, normally up to one year, during which time he shall be on inactive status. e. A congregation may arrange for rotation of elders, subject to the ap- proval of its session and presbytery. f. An elder granted an inactive status may be reinstated to active service at the discretion of the session. g. An elder ceases to serve on a session when he has moved his com- municant membership into the jurisdiction of another session. D-11 6. Removal from Office A ruling elder may be removed from office. The following principles shall apply to this procedure: a. An elder can be divested of his ordination only by deposition at the hands of his session or presbytery. b. The session shall notify the presbytery whenever it intends to initiate deposition procedures by forwarding a copy of the charges. c. In extraordinary cases the presbytery may also originate jurisdiction if it concludes that a particular session has been unable to exercise proper discipline over the elder in question. d. No elder shall be suspended or deposed except after a fair trial. e. Procedure for judicial process is set forth in the Book of Discipline. 7. Cessation of Ordination The continuing privileges and responsibilities of ordination would cease if: a. An elder is deposed from his ordination by judicial action of a church court. b. An elder’s request that his ordination be terminated is granted by a church court after careful consideration. II. ELDERS: TEACHING ELDERS The official proclamation of the Word and administration of the sacraments in the congregation shall be entrusted in ordinary circumstances to the one who has been trained to exercise his teaching gifts. Those displaying the gift for the teaching ministry shall be encouraged to undertake sufficient academic prepa- ration and present themselves for public examination by presbytery in order to devote themselves to live in obedience to Christ and His Word in full-time ministerial service with all the privileges and duties this involves. The elder who publicly teaches exercises a broader responsibility but has no higher authority than any other elder. While all the elders have pastoral responsibilities, common practice warrants the use of the title “pastor” for those who are called as teaching elders of congregations. Congregations whose size and/or work require additional teaching elders (associate pastors) will follow the same procedure. In the case of the departure of a pastor from a congregation having more than one pastor, there is no requirement for an existing associate pastor to receive a new call in order for his role to be changed. Presbytery has already established him as a teaching elder in the congregation. For the sake of clarity and peace, a two-thirds majority vote of the congregation is required for any existing pastor of the congregation to assume the role of the departing pastor. There is then no need to declare the pulpit vacant. It is prudent that the Ses- sion carefully lead a congregation in these matters for unity’s sake. All teaching elders serving whose active duty is in the Armed Forces of Canada or the United States Chaplain Corps and who have been approved by presbytery shall be considered as missionaries employed by their presbyteries D-12 presbyteries shall have oversight and require reports of their activities. (See 1985 Minutes of Synod, page 91).
A. Qualifications Along with those qualifications specified in Section I.A., those eligible to be called as teaching elders must display the Spirit’s call and gifts to study diligently and proclaim publicly the Word of God (1 Timothy 5:17). B. Duties Along with duties specified in Section I.B., the duties of a teaching elder include:
C. Preparation 1. Initial Steps To become a teaching elder the following steps must be taken: a. He must present himself to his session as one desiring to prepare himself to become a teaching elder. b. If the session supports his intentions they shall request presbytery to take him under care. c. In ordinary cases he shall complete a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent before undertaking specific theological education. d. Upon completion of his collegiate degree or its equivalent and his reception by presbytery as a student of theology, he shall be expected to complete the course of seminary instruction required by his presbytery leading to a Master of Divinity or its equivalent. e. Under ordinary circumstances he shall be expected to attend at least one full year in a Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary. f. At the end of his first year he shall give evidence to his presbytery that he will continue training to become a teaching elder. (A sermon may be requested of him by his presbytery at this point.) g. After favorable evaluation of the evidence presented by the student under care and reception of a favorable report from the seminary, he shall be certified by presbytery to further his seminary training. D-13 h. The student may be invited to preach only under the direct supervi- sion of a session until he is certified as being eligible to preach.
i. Licensure by presbytery shall consist of two steps: Eligibility to Preach and Eligibility for a Call. 2. Eligibility to Preach (First Step for Licensure) To become eligible to preach a student shall follow this procedure: a. A student shall become eligible for certification to preach any time after his first year. b. The student shall request the seminary to forward to his presbytery an evaluation of his qualifications for ministry and statement of his academic standing. c. The candidate shall be examined by his presbytery in constituted court in the following areas: (1) Personal godliness (2) Bible Knowledge (3) Systematic Theology and Distinctive Principles (4) The preaching of an expository sermon (5) The presentation of a paper on church history (Presbytery is responsible to make these assignments which may correspond to assignments fulfilled in seminary.) d. Following each area of examination, delegates may make comments and/or state reasons when appropriate for the way he will vote. Com- ments are to be considered individual reflections or judgments, not the settled conclusions of the court. A roll call vote should be taken. e. Ifthediscourseandexaminationsaresustainedbyatwo-thirdsvote,an appointed elder shall ask the appropriate Queries for Certification to Preach. f. Presbytery should vote by roll call when deemed appropriate whether to certify him a Candidate to Preach. g. If the candidate is approved by a two-thirds vote he shall sign the appropriate Queries for Certification. h. An appointed elder shall offer prayer officially certifying the candidate in the name of Christ, the King and Head of the Church. i. An appointed elder shall address the candidate with words of counsel as to his duties and the limitations which are as follows: (1) He may not administer the sacraments. (2) He may not perform marriages. (3) He may not pronounce the benediction. j. Presbytery shall adjourn the meeting with prayer and benediction. k. The candidate shall be given a certificate of eligibility to preach. l. He remains under the care of his presbytery and the jurisdiction of his session. m. Certification ordinarily shall be for a term of five years and may be renewed at the discretion of presbytery. 3. Eligibility for a Call (Final Step for Licensure) To become eligible for a call a student shall follow this procedure: D-14 a. A student shall be eligible for certification to receive a call at the end of his second year. b. The student shall request of the seminary to forward to his presbytery an evaluation of his qualifications for ministry and a statement of his academic standing. c. The candidate shall be examined by his presbytery in constituted ses- sion in the following areas: (1) Evidence of pastoral and evangelistic gifts (2) Systematic Theology and Distinctive Principles (3) Church History (4) The preaching of an expository sermon on an assigned topic (5) The presentation of an exegesis paper (Presbytery is responsible to make these assignments which may correspond to assignments fulfilled in seminary.) d. Following each area of examination, delegates may make comments and/or state reasons when appropriate for the way he will vote. Com- ments are to be considered individual reflections or judgments, not the settled conclusions of the court. A roll call vote should be taken. e. If the discourse and examinations are sustained by a two-thirds vote, an appointed elder shall ask the appropriate Queries for Certification to Receive a Call. f. Presbytery should vote by roll call when deemed appropriate whether to certify him a Candidate to Receive a Call. This certification must be made by a two-thirds vote. g. If the candidate is approved by a two-thirds vote he shall sign the appropriate queries. h. An appointed elder shall offer prayer officially certifying the candidate as being eligible for a call in the name of Christ, the King and Head of the Church. i. An appointed elder shall address the candidate with words of counsel as to his duties and the limitations which are as follows: (1) He may not administer the sacraments. (2) He may not perform marriages. (3) He may not pronounce the benediction. j. Presbytery shall adjourn the meeting with prayer and benediction. k. The candidate shall be given a Certificate of Licensure. l. He remains under the care of his presbytery and the jurisdiction of his session. m. Certification ordinarily shall be for a term of five years and may be renewed at the discretion of presbytery. D. Procedure for Election 1. Authorization The election of a teaching elder may be authorized as follows: a. The initiative for an election of a teaching elder must include one or more of the following: D-15 |
簡介
這份名錄的目的是提供北美改革宗長老會的定義和程序,以實施有關教會及其治理性質的教義聲明,正如《威斯敏斯特信仰告白》和北美改革宗長老會的見證中所述的那樣。 就本指南而言,「基本法」是指《威斯敏斯特信條》和《教義問答》以及改革宗長老會證言。 「教會的法律與秩序」是指《教會管理指南》、《紀律手冊》和《敬拜指南》以及主教會議的行為。 本規範中所規定的這些定義和程序將作為宣告教會法律和秩序的官方聲明而被接收。 任何特定會議均可透過三分之二多數票對名錄進行修訂。 然而,如果大會認為其面前的項目應在會議上審議和討論,則可以通過簡單多數票決定使用提議修正案的程序; 然而,任何此類修正案都必須得到大會三分之二的投票通過,然後才能提交給堂會。 《紀律手冊》和《公共禮拜指南》應遵循相同的修訂程序。 第1章 教會領聖餐成員 1. 任何有能力形成道德判斷和為自己做決定的人,在可信的信仰告白、洗禮和接受教會成員契約後,都可以成為改革宗長老會的領聖餐成員。 領聖餐成員有義務讓他們的孩子接受洗禮,並盡其所能撫養他們的孩子,以便他們能夠在教會中尋求聖餐成員資格。 【D-1】
2. 在一個被組成的教會中,只有堂會才有權授予教會成員身分。 在特殊情況下,例如組織新教會,區會可以承擔此功能,或將其委託給「臨時治理團」 (TGB)。 在國外傳教區工作的早期階段,傳教士可以在這方面行使特別權力,直到具有堂會的教會會眾被組織起來為止。 3. 應在堂會的監督下為受洗兒童和未來的成員開設課程,以教導他們教會所維護的真理原則,以幫助他們做好成為聖餐成員的準備。 4. 領聖餐會員候選人應由堂會在正式會議中進行審查。 在考試中,考察考生對神聖真理的認識程度、他個人對罪的認識和救贖的需要,以及他對教會成員資格的了解和願意接受的程度,包括改革宗長老會的獨特原則(the distinctive principles)。 所必需具備的知識,在很大程度上,取決於候選人的能力,以及他獲得這些知識的機會。 應鼓勵兒童記住小教理問答,並敦促他們閱讀和學習《信仰的見證》和《信仰告白》,以便他們在以後的歲月裡能有更充分的理解。 任何不了解救恩計畫的人,或沒有提供重生可信證據的人,或與教會標準所規定的原則,採取反對態度的人,都不應被接納。 5. 當候選人同意《領聖餐成員盟約》(the Covenant of church Membership) 並通過考試後,如果他們已經受洗,則應被宣佈為領聖餐成員,並可以簽署《教會成員資格蒙約》。 為他們禱告後,堂會成員歡迎他們加入。 6. 如果沒有明確知道候選人已在總會所定義的真教會中受洗(《西敏斯特信仰告白和改革宗長老會證言》第 25 章),則應執行此聖禮。 7. 新成員應被公開認可。 這可以透過讓他們站在會眾面前公開同意《領聖餐成員盟約》來實現。 可能會要求會眾一起同意該公約。 這個問題應向教會會眾提出: 「你們,就是本教會的成員,是否歡迎他(們)加入團契,他(們)已經被你們的堂會所接受,並且宣告了在基督裡的信心 。你們是否應許在基督徒生活在幫助和鼓勵他們嗎? 會眾應該回答:「我們願意」。 【D-2】 8. 會友應心甘情願地將自己的才幹和恩賜奉獻給基督的服事。 當他們被召喚時,他們應該虔誠地考慮接受教會的職位。 9. 任何改革宗長老教會的任何會眾,在本地區或其他地區,只要出示其會眾會議的證書,即可被接納為該教會任何會眾的聖餐會員。 來自其他教派的申請人應滿足會議的要求,證明他接受歷史基督教信仰和教會成員資格的基本真理。 證書自頒發之日起有效期限為一年,除非能說明延遲提交的原因。 如果證書註明例外或譴責理由,申請人應在獲得許可之前對會議完全滿意。 10. 忽視教會規定應屬於教會勸戒問題; 但如果會員在一年內未能參加會議、未能做出貢獻或提供任何其他感興趣的證據且無法聯繫到,則可以將其從通訊會員名冊中除名。 堂會應正式嘗試以行動通知他。 當他提供可靠的證據表明遵守「領聖餐成員盟約」時,他可以恢復領聖餐成員資格。 11. 教會成員從一個教派轉到另一教派的教會時,應根據其要求獲得一份會員轉移證書。 也應通知他希望轉移到的會眾的屆會。 離開改革宗長老教會會員資格的人也應獲得會員資格轉移證書,其中包括會議記錄中的任何資格。 12. 若會員未經正式解除而成為另一教派的會員,會議應記錄該事實,並將其名字從會員名冊中刪除。 如果對他的指控懸而未決,這些指控可能會被起訴。 13. 經認證加入該宗派另一教會的會員,在其被要加入的堂會認證接受之前,他應受頒發其會員證書的堂會的管轄,但無權投票或擔任職務。 會員資格轉讓證書立即生效。 透過將轉會證書交還給頒發該證書的堂會而恢復其教會成員身份的人無權行使先前擔任的任何職務的職能。 不過,他可以被再選舉而當選。 【D-3】 14. 區會可設立臨時會員名冊。 這樣的名冊可以用於「宣教教會」 (mission church),或是以授權「臨時管理團」(TGB)接納此名冊上的成員; 也可以在教會被解組(disorganized) 時使用它,被視為臨時名冊。 在被解組的情況下,那些被列入區會名冊的人,應該在一年內成為另一個教會的成員。 應努力留住改革宗長老教會的成員。 第2章 教會 The Congregation 1. 教會是根據改革宗長老教會的標準,並遵守其法律和秩序而組織的。 一個完整的有組織教會是由一群成員組成,其中有負責監督會眾的堂會和主要負責慈善和管家事工的執事會。 教導長老/牧師是教會的成員,他的牧師資格由區會所持有。 區會被指示要採取應有的照管和努力,確保在其管理下的每個教會,都經過適當的選舉、任命和設立堂會和執事會。 所有被任命的聖職者都應由會眾投票選出,每一位聖職成員在選舉中都應享有平等的發言權。 2. 領聖餐教會成員的子女,由於其聖約關係,應接受洗禮、教牧關懷和指導,並成為受洗的教會成員,但在年滿 10 歲之前,不得參加聖餐。理解並自願表達對基督的信仰,並承擔教會成員身分的誓言和義務。 受洗的成員在會眾會議中沒有投票權。 3. 非教會成員,但定期參加敬拜並提供支持的人稱為「追隨信徒」(adherents)。他們在會眾會議中沒有投票權。 4. 在許多州或省,教會必須有一個董事會 Board of Trusttees,教會財產的所有權歸屬於董事會,並在所有法律事務上代表教會。 董事會應從會眾中選舉產生,除履行法律要求所需的職責外,不承擔任何職責。 為了提高處理事務的效率,董事會的成員和官員可以與執事會相同或從執事會中選出。 D-4 5. 堂會應對教會內的所有組織進行整體監督和審查。 其中可能包括以聖經為基礎的主日學; 周間聚會; 宣教和青年社團以及其他團契團體。 根據需要,可能還有其他組織,只要它們促進教會的原則、實踐和事工。 6. 每個教會都有特殊的義務向年輕人提供信仰上的指導, 尋求失喪者的救贖,並向其所能接觸的人宣揚全備的福音。 教會會眾還有其他的一些責任,包括: 選舉自己的長老和執事; 處理其業務; 要求其組織、任職者和委員會提出報告; 向教會法院請求採取任何其可能希望採取的行動; 經由下級法院的判決向上級法院提出上訴; 維持公共敬拜的條例; 提供適當的敬拜拜場所和設備以進行活動; 在主裡服從教會的法律和秩序,小心翼翼地維持敬虔的團契,以愛心、忠誠和支持所有教會成員和教派。 7. 每年召開會眾會議,聽取報告、處理事務。 如果目的足夠重要並符合法律和秩序,堂會可以自行決定,或根據執事委員會的書面要求,或根據會眾的請願召開特別會議。 通知中應說明會議目的,不得討論其他事項。 所有會眾聚會的通知應在前兩個主日的公眾敬拜中發布。 如果教會沒有公眾聚會,則可以透過電子郵件或其他適當的通訊方式提前十天通知就足夠了。 8. 所有教會會議都應接受堂會的監督,要麼直接主持會議,要麼監督選舉主持會議的會眾幹事。教會會議應依照教會集會所適用的共同規則進行管理。 堂會書記或教會秘書應將所有程序記錄在會議記錄中。 除非章程另有規定,四分之一的現任領聖餐會員,應構成處理普通事務的法定人數,但任何對會眾福祉有重大影響的事務,均不得在少於二分之一領聖餐會員的情形下進行。 選舉教導長老、治理長老或執事的會議,都應在組成法庭的情況下由堂會監督進行,並由其主席主持。 9. 當教會的常駐長老resident elders人數少於兩名時,教會就解組了disorganized。 兩名長老就足以支持這個組織。 區會可以從鄰近的教會中任命一位長老,與剩餘的常駐長老一起作為「臨時堂會」provisional session,直到選出新的長老為止,從而使教會得以繼續存在。 【D-5】 另一個方法是將教會退減到在區會直接監督下的「講道站」(preaching station)。 10. 兩個教會可以在教會的批准下,以各自教會的三分之二多數同意下被合併。 合併計劃應規定牧師、執事會和堂會以及其他教會組織的調整。 該計劃應由各會眾通過,然後由區會生效。 11. 會眾或其董事會將會眾的財產代為主教會議託管,不得將其挪作他用。 該財產在法律上是民事法院將保護的信託。 如果會眾希望改變其敬拜場所的地點,則應先獲得區會關於搬遷和新地點的批准。 未經區會透過會眾會議傳達的書面許可,特定會眾不得出售或抵押財產。 當區會確定會眾解散時,為該會眾持有的所有財產的所有權,應立即轉移給主教會議的董事會,董事會應與適當的區會的顧問一起決定如何處置這些財產和/或收益。 未經區會和總會受託人事先批准,不得因預期組織解散而進行超出正常運作過程的資產或支出分配。 (有關政策和程序,請參閱 1972 年會議紀要,第 13、150-152 頁。) 第3章 教會承受職分者 聖經表明,在基督的教會中進行治理和教導時,並沒有分權。 根據他們的資格和情況,長老們會展現恩賜,使他們能夠透過監督(統治)和勸誡來辨別和滿足羊群的需要。 其中包括那些更有資格從事聖經研究和公開宣講的人。 當以上述方式理解時,這種功能上的差異保證了「統治長老」和「教導長老」等流行稱謂的延續。 執事的職分是聖靈賜給新約教會的,以協助教會履行其事工。 I. 長老:治理長老 A. 資格 那些有資格被稱為執政長老的人必須: 1. 是改革宗長老教會中信譽良好的男性聖餐成員。 【D-6】 2. 證明品格和行為標準符合提摩太前書 3:1-7 所規定的標準; 提多書 1:5-9; 和彼得前書 5:1-3。
3. 知識淵博,並致力於遵守與聖經一致的從屬的教義標準。 B. 職責 執政長老的職責包括:
C. 特權-執政長老的特權包括:
a- 應堂會的要求或其他法庭的要求,偶爾在會眾中進行聖道事工。 b-應其他法院的特別要求,偶爾在宗派內進行聖道事工。 C-偶爾宣告神對祂子民的祝福。 5. 執政長老可能有資格,在其堂會或教會其他法庭的任命下,更經常地偶爾宣講聖言並宣布祝福,方法是透過個人敬虔、聖經知識的考試來滿足區會的要求,說明他對這項事工的準備、系統神學和釋經式講道。 (參見講道資格,IIc2e)。 6. 在特殊情況下,在長老教會特別指定的特定場合執行聖禮。 7. 在特殊情況下,由長老會任命,擔任另一堂會的臨時長老。 D. 選舉程序 1、授權 執政長老的選舉可獲授權如下: A。 選舉長老的動議必須包括以下一項或多項內容: (1) 會眾向區會提出增加長老人數的呼籲。 (2) 會議判斷會眾中有合格的人,需要增加長老的人數。 (三)特殊情況下長老會指示召開會議進行選舉的。 b. 長老的選舉應由全會在特別召開的會眾會議上進行。 2. 召開會議 召開會議的程序是: a. 會議應發布決定選舉日期、時間和地點的法令。 b. 會議召開前八天的通知應透過在前兩個主日的禮拜儀式上宣讀該法令的方式公開向會眾發出。 C. 如果會眾沒有公開會議,則提前十天透過電子郵件或電話通知所有可以聯繫到的成員就足夠了。 【D-8】 3. 會議順序 會議順序如下: a. 會眾被召集起來進行選舉,堂會應由主持人或長老會指定的人組成。 b. 堂會應有一份完整的名單,列出會眾中所有信譽良好的領聖餐成員,並根據該名單確定法定人數(現任領聖餐成員的一半)。 每次投票都需要達到法定人數。 c. 主持人詢問會眾是否仍希望繼續進行選舉。 d. 最後宣讀該法令。 e. 敬拜拜和講道應在集會的指導下進行。 f. 應進行選舉。 g. 法庭將在祈禱中休會。 4. 投票 選舉應按列方式進行: A。 會議可以顯示他們對選舉填補職位數量的判斷。 此類判斷應基於會眾的需要以及潛在候選人靈性成熟的證據。 b. 會議可以提交提名名單。 c. 如果會議顯示希望有一定數量的長老,其提名名單不得少於該數量。 d. 提名也可以由出席的會眾的聖餐成員進行。 e. 選舉也可以在沒有提名的情況下進行。 f. 即使已經做出提名,也可以投票給任何合格的候選人。 g. 投票應以投票方式進行,會議應採取適當的預防措施以確保投票的完整性。 h.當選人數確定後,每次投票的候選人數不得超過公佈的當選人數。 i. 無法出席會議的通訊成員可以以書面形式發送選票(也稱為缺席選票),將選票裝在密封的信封中,信封上寫有他們的名字並寄給會議。 缺席選票僅在第一次選舉投票時有效。 j.不鼓勵使用提名選票; 如果使用這種方式,缺席選票僅在第一次選舉投票時有效。 缺席選票不會用於提名投票。 k. 只有至少三分之二選票的人才能被宣佈為當選長老。 在決定投票總數時,空白選票不予計算。 標有「否」的選票表示該人不想投票給任何候選人,應計入確定投票總數。 l. 若三次投票後仍未達到三分之二票數,主持人經與會議協商後,可延後選舉。 m. 主持人指定兩名計票員負責收集選票並統計選舉結果並向主持人報告。 【D-9】 E. 考試、按立和設立的程序 Procedure for Examination, Ordination and Installation 1. 考試 Examination 當選長老的審查應按下列程序進行: a. 當選長老應通知會議,最好在兩週內,告知其接受或拒絕會眾召集的意圖。 b. 如果當選長老表明他願意接受召集,則會議應在組成的法院舉行會議,以審查他的資格,如上文第 I.A. 節所述。 c. 當選的長老將接受檢視其對改革宗長老教會見證的信仰和承諾的健全性。 d. 若會議判定任何當選長老不適合擔任該職務,則不得對其進行任命和/或就職。 e. 如果出現以下情況,則不需要任命: (1) 當選長老在宗派中擔任長老的任命。 (2) 當選長老被證明已被按立為在有形教會的另一個真正分支中擁有同等職位,並且符合我們教派成為執政長老的條件。 f. 所有已表明服務願望並經會議審查和批准的當選長老都必須公開按立和/或就任會議。 2. 授權 Authorization 會議應按以下方式授權任命和/或安裝: a. 會議應確定合格當選長老的按立和就職的時間、日期和地點。 (會眾的任何反對意見應在召開的會議之前以書面形式向會議提出。會議應在召開的會議之前對反對意見採取行動。) b. 就職會議應將日期、時間、地點和當選長老的姓名通知長老教會內的所有會議。 3. 召開會議 Calling a Meeting 召開任命和/或安裝會議: a. 會議應制定法令。 b. 該法令應在前兩個主日舉行禮拜儀式的會眾聚會前八天宣讀。 c. 如果會眾沒有公開會議,則提前十天透過電子郵件或電話通知所有可以聯繫到的成員就足夠了。 4. 會議順序 Order of Meeting 會議順序如下: a. 會議應由主持人或長老會指定的人組成,會議的特權應擴大到會議的所有本宗派出席之長老們。 【D-10】 b. 應確認有效常住通訊員會員的二分之一的法定人數。 c. 該法令將進行最後一次宣讀。 d. 禮拜和講道應在集會的指導下進行。 e. 指定的長老應講述按立和/或就職前的步驟。 f. 受任命的長老應向候選人提出適當的按立查詢,並得到肯定的答覆。 g. 候選人應公開簽署任命詢問書。 h. 在按立和就職的情況下,候選人應跪下祈禱,並邀請所有在場的長老參加按手禮。 i. 在安裝的情況下,僅應提供安裝祈禱。 j. 長老應奉耶穌基督的名和權柄進行按立和/或就職的禱告。 k. 長老應伸出右手交通接待新就任的長老。 l. 會議應酌情決定向新就職的長老和會眾收取特別費用。 m. 會議休會並以祈禱和祝福結束會議。 n. 會眾和朋友應有機會向新就職的長老致意。 5. 對堂會服事的終止 Cessation of Service on a Session 在下列情況下,執政長老的服務可以終止: a. 長老可以請求區會接受他辭去會眾內的會期職責。 若長期、忠實地服務,應考慮授予「榮休」稱號。 b. 辭職被接受的長老必須重新選舉才能再次擔任該職位。 c. 長老因距離、健康或其他正當理由不再定期在其所在的分會服務時,可以免除其職責; 他的屆會應謹慎地解除他的正式職務,並宣布他的地位為不活躍(即無投票權)。 如果有停職的情況,請參閱紀律手冊。 d. 長老或其會議可以安排休假,通常最長為一年,在此期間他應處於不活動狀態。 e. 會眾可以安排長老輪流,但須經會議和長老會批准。 f. 被授予不活躍狀態的長者可以根據會議的酌情決定恢復活躍服務。 g. 當一位長老將他的聖職成員轉移到另一個堂會的管轄範圍時,他就停止在另一個堂會中服務。 【D-11】 6. 免職 Removal from Office
治理長老可以被解職。 本程序應遵循以下原則: a. 一個長老只能透過其會議或長老會的任命而被剝奪。 b. 每當會議打算透過轉發指控副本啟動沉積程序時,會議應通知長老會。 c. 在特殊情況下,如果長老會得出結論認為某個會議無法對有關長老實行適當的紀律,則也可以發起管轄權。 d. 除非經過公平審判,否則任何長老不得被停職或罷免。 e. 司法程序的程序載於《紀律手冊》。 7. 停止按立Cessation of Ordination 在以下情況下,按立的持續特權和責任將終止: a. 長老可以透過教會法院的司法行動被解除任命。 b. 長老終止任命的請求是由教會法院經過仔細考慮後批准的。 II. 長老:教導長老 ELDERS: TEACHING ELDERS 在一般情況下,在會眾中正式宣講聖言和施行聖禮,應委託給受過訓練以運用其教導恩賜的人。 應鼓勵那些表現出教導事工恩賜的人進行充分的學術準備,並參加長老會的公開考試,以便在享有所有特權的全職事工服務中致力於順服基督和他的話語。以及這涉及到的職責。 公開教導的長老行使更廣泛的責任,但沒有比其他長老更高的權力。 雖然所有的長老都有牧養責任,但通常的做法是對那些被稱為會眾教導長老的人使用「牧師」的頭銜。 規模和/或工作需要額外教導長老(副牧師)的會眾將遵循相同的程序。 如果牧師離開擁有多位牧師的會眾,現有的副牧師不需要接受新的召喚來改變其角色。 長老教會已經任命他為會眾的教導長老。 為了清楚起見和和平起見,任何現任牧師都需要獲得會眾三分之二多數票才能擔任即將離任的牧師。 這樣就沒有必要宣布講壇空置。 為了團結起見,長老會謹慎地在這些議題上領導會眾是明智的。 所有現役在加拿大武裝部隊或美國牧師團服役並經長老會批准的教導長老,均應被視為其長老會僱用的傳教士 D-12 並借用給加拿大或美國武裝部隊,其長老會應進行監督並要求報告其活動。(參見 1985 年會議紀錄,第 91 頁)
A. 資格 除了 I.A. 節中規定的資格外,那些有資格被召喚為教導長老的人還必須表現出聖靈的呼召和恩賜,勤奮學習並公開宣揚神的話語(提摩太前書 5:17)。 B. 職責 除了 I.B. 節中指定的職責外,教導長老的職責還包括: 1. 在敬拜中宣揚神的話。 2. 施行洗禮和聖餐聖禮。 3、辦理婚喪嫁娶服務。 我們非常歡迎退休的教導長老定期參與教會的高等法庭活動,但並非強制要求; 他們的缺席不需要正式的藉口請求。 C. 準備工作 1. 初始步驟 要成為教導長老,必須採取以下步驟: a. 他必須在會議上表現出自己渴望準備成為教導長老的樣子。 b. 如果會議支持他的意圖,他們應請求長老會照顧他。 c. 在一般情況下,他應在接受特定的神學教育之前完成學士學位或同等學歷。 d. 在完成大學學位或同等學歷並被長老會接納為神學學生後,他應完成長老會要求的神學院教學課程,獲得道學碩士或同等學歷。 e. 在一般情況下,他應在改革宗長老教會神學院就讀至少一整年。 f. 第一年結束時,他應向長老會證明他將繼續接受培訓,成為教導長老。 (此時他的長老會可能會要求他講道。) g. 在對所照顧的學生提供的證據進行有利評估並收到神學院的有利報告後,他應獲得長老會的認證,以進一步進行神學院培訓。 D-13 h. 學生只能在會議的直接監督下被邀請講道,直到他被證明有資格講道。
i. 長老教會的許可包括兩個步驟:傳道資格和呼召資格。 2. 講道資格(取得執照的第一步) Eligibility to Preach (First Step for Licensure) 要獲得講道資格,學生應遵循以下程序: a. 學生在第一年後的任何時間都有資格獲得講道認證。 b. 學生應請求神學院向其長老會轉交對其事工資格的評估和其學術地位的聲明。 c. 候選人應由其長老會在組成的法庭中接受以下方面的審查: (1) 個人的敬虔 (2) 聖經知識 (3) 系統神學與特色原則 (4) 解經講道的講道 (5) 提交一篇關於教會歷史的論文(長老會負責佈置這些作業,這些作業可能與神學院完成的作業相對應。) d. 在每個領域的審查之後,代表們可以在適當的時候發表評論和/或說明其投票方式的理由。 評論應被視為個人的反思或判斷,而不是法院的最終結論。 應進行唱名表決。 e. 若講道和考試以三分之二票數通過,指定的長老應就傳道認證提出適當的詢問。 f. 長老教會應在認為適當時以唱名方式投票決定是否認可他為傳道候選人。 g. 如果候選人以三分之二的票數獲得批准,他應簽署適當的認證查詢。 h. 被任命的長老應以教會君王和元首基督的名義進行祈禱,正式認證候選人。 i. 獲委任的長老應就其職責和限制向候選人提出忠告,具體如下: (1) 他不得主持聖禮。 (2) 不得主持婚禮。 (3) 他不得宣告祝福。 j. 區會應在祈禱和祝福中休會。 k. 候選人將獲得傳教資格證書。 l. 他仍然受到長老會的照顧和會議的管轄。 m.認證期限通常為五年,並可由長老教會酌情續展。 3. 被呼召的資格(獲得許可的最後一步) Eligibility for a Call (Final Step for Licensure) 要獲得被呼召的資格,學生應遵循以下程序: 【D-14】 a. 學生應有資格在第二學年結束時獲得接聽電話的認證。
b. 學生應要求神學院向他的長老會提交一份對其事工資格的評估和一份關於其學術地位的聲明。 c. 候選人應由其長老會在召開的會議上對以下方面進行審查: (1) 牧養及傳福音恩賜的證據 (二)系統神學與特色原則 (3) 教會歷史 (4) 就指定主題進行解經式講道 (5) 解經論文的呈現(長老會負責佈置這些作業,這些作業可能與神學院完成的作業相對應。) d. 在每個領域的審查之後,代表們可以在適當的時候發表評論和/或說明其投票方式的理由。 評論應被視為個人的反思或判斷,而不是法院的最終結論。 應進行唱名表決。 e. 如果討論和考試以三分之二票數通過,指定的長老應提出適當的詢問,以獲得接聽電話的認證。 F。 長老會應在認為適當時以唱名方式投票決定是否將其認證為接受電話會議的候選人。 此認證必須由三分之二投票通過。 G。 如果候選人獲得三分之二票數批准,他應簽署相應的質詢書。 H。 指定的長老應進行祈禱,正式證明候選人有資格奉教會君王和元首基督的名呼召。 我。 獲委任的長老應就其職責和限制向候選人提出忠告,具體如下: (1) 他不得主持聖禮。 (2) 不得主持婚禮。 (3) 他不得宣告祝福。 j。 長老教會應在祈禱和祝福中休會。 k. 候選人將獲得執照證書。 湖 他仍然受到長老會的照顧和會議的管轄。 米。 認證期限通常為五年,並可由長老教會酌情續展。 D. 選舉程序 1、授權 教導長老的選舉可獲授權如下: A。 選舉教導長老的動議必須包括以下一項或多項內容: D-15 |