Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) - Office of the General Assembly

FORM OF GOVERNMENT
CHAPTER XIV

G-14.0000	ORDINATION, CERTIFICATION, AND COMMISSIONING
G-14.0100	Leadership in the Church
G-14.0110	Servant Style
	The purpose and pattern of leadership in the church in all its forms of ministry shall be understood not in terms of power but of service, after the manner of the servant ministry of Jesus Christ.
G-14.0120	Ordained Ministry
	Ordination is the act by which the church sets apart persons to be presbyters (ministers of the Word and Sacrament or elders) or deacons, and is accompanied with prayer and the laying on of hands. Ordination to the office of minister of the Word and Sacrament is an act of the presbytery. Ordination to the offices of elder and deacon is an act of the session, except that when a new church is organized, the presbytery may examine, ordain, and install the officers. (G-7.0202)
G-14.0130	Certified Ministry
	Persons called to particular service in the church may be certified by recognized agencies affiliated with the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) as having achieved proficiency in their field of expertise. The congregation and presbytery, in appropriate services, may recognize such certification. (See G-14.0700.)
G-14.0140	Commissioned Ministry
	In the life of the Christian community God calls people to particular acts of discipleship to use their personal gifts for service in the Church and in the world. These specific acts may be strengthened and confirmed by formal recognition and commissioning in worship. (W-4.3000)
G-14.0200	Preparation for the Office of Elder and Deacon
G-14.0210	The Office of Elder or Deacon
	The office of elder or deacon is perpetual and no one can lay it aside at pleasure or be divested of it except as provided in this Form of Government or the Rules of Discipline. Elders or deacons are not divested of office when rotating out of active service on the session or board of deacons, or by ceasing to be a member of that church. Elders shall be entitled to be commissioners to presbytery from the particular church of which they are members if appointed by its session and to serve as a commissioner to the synod or the General Assembly when duly elected, whether or not they are in active service on the session.
G-14.0220	Election Provisions
G-14.0221 Fair Representation	Every congregation shall elect men and women from among its active members, giving fair representation to persons of all ages and of all racial ethnic backgrounds and to persons with disabilities who are members of that congregation, to the office of elder and to the office of deacon (if used in the congregation).
G-14.0222 Terms	An elder serving on session, or a deacon on a board of deacons, shall be elected for a term of no more than three years, and service in consecutive terms, either full or partial, shall be limited to six years. An elder or deacon having served a total of six years shall be ineligible for reelection to the same board for a period of at least one year. A particular church may provide for a period of ineligibility after one full term. Elders or deacons shall be elected in two or three classes as nearly equal in number as possible, of which only one shall expire each year. Terms of elders or deacons shall expire when their successors have been ordained and installed.
G-14.0223 Nominating Committee	Nominations shall be made by a representative nominating committee of active members of the church. The committee shall itself include both women and men, giving fair representation to persons of all age groups, of all racial ethnic members, and of persons with disabilities who are members of that congregation. At least two members of this committee shall be elders designated by the session, one of whom shall be currently on the session and serve as moderator of the committee. At least one member of this committee shall be designated by and from the board of deacons, if the church has deacons. Other members of the committee, in sufficient number to constitute a majority thereof (exclusive of the pastor), shall be chosen by the congregation or by such organizations within the church as the congregation may designate, none of whom may be in active service on the session or in active service on the board of deacons. The pastor shall be a member of this committee, serving ex officio and without vote.
G-14.0224 Elected Annually	The nominating committee shall be elected by the congregation annually and no member of the committee shall serve more than three years consecutively.
G-14.0225 Nominating Procedures	All nominating procedures shall be subject to the principles of participation and representation as stated in G-4.0403 and G-9.0104.
G-14.0226 Exemptions for Certain Congregations	The presbytery may approve requests by congregations for exemption from certain of these rules, subject to review periodically by the presbytery, which may grant or revoke its approval: When a particular church is unable to conform to the provisions of G-14.0221, it shall request of presbytery a waiver, stating the reasons for noncompliance and shall outline a plan for steps to compliance. Presbytery may grant the waiver of G-14.0221 by three-fourths vote and for not more than three years, subject to renewal by a three-fourths vote and to revocation by a majority vote. Any congregation of fewer than seventy members, at a regular congregational meeting, may request approval from the presbytery to elect a small church nominating committee, which shall consist of one member of the session, appointed by the session to be the moderator, and at least two members of the congregation not in active service on the session. The pastor shall be a member ex officio and without vote. Other provisions of fair representation and length of service continue to apply. If in any church it is impossible because of limited membership to provide for the rotation of terms, the congregation may request a waiver of the limitations on reelection after six years. The presbytery may grant the exemption by majority vote for three years at a time, subject to renewal or revocation at any time by majority vote.
G-14.0230	Congregational Meeting
	The election of elders and deacons shall take place at a meeting of the congregation called for that purpose by the session (G-7.0302).
G-14.0231 Purpose of the Meeting	The moderator shall explain the purpose of the meeting.
G-14.0232 Nominations from the Floor	Full opportunity shall always be given to the congregation for nominations by any active member of the church present at the meeting. Persons to be nominated from the floor shall have given prior permission to be nominated and declared assent to serve if elected, or, if present, shall be asked to declare willingness to serve.
G-14.0233 Ballots	When the number of nominees equals the number of elders and deacons to be elected, the congregation may vote by voice vote or show of hands. When the number of nominees is greater than the number of elders and deacons to be elected, the congregation shall vote by secret ballot. A majority of all the voters present and voting shall be required to elect.
G-14.0240	Preparation and Examination for Office
	When persons have been elected to the office of elder or deacon, the session shall confer with them as to their willingness to undertake the office. The session shall provide for a period of study and preparation, after which the session shall examine the officers-elect as to their personal faith; knowledge of the doctrine, government, and discipline contained in the Constitution of the church; and the duties of the office. If the examination is approved, the session shall appoint a day for the service of ordination and installation (see W-4.4000). If the examination is not approved for one or more elected officers, the session shall report its action to the congregation’s nominating committee, which shall bring nomination(s) to a meeting of the congregation for any office(s) not filled.
G-14.0300	Ordination as Officers of the Church
	Ordination, installation, and commissioning questions and service information are found at W-4.4000.
G-14.0400	Preparation for the Office of Minister of the Word and Sacrament
G-14.0401 Presbytery Responsibility for Inquiry and Candidacy	It is important that those who are to be ordained as ministers of the Word and Sacrament receive full preparation for their task under the direction of the committee on preparation for ministry. (G-9.0902) For this purpose, presbyteries shall enter into covenant relationship with those preparing to become ministers of the Word and Sacrament. This relationship shall be divided into the two phases of inquiry and candidacy.
G-14.0402 Advisory Handbook	The process and requirements for the inquiry and the candidacy phases shall be provided in an advisory handbook developed and updated as needed by the appropriate General Assembly agencies in consultation with the Office of the General Assembly, which the presbytery may adopt or modify to establish its own mandatory procedures. (G-9.0405)
G-14.0403 Time Requirements	An inquirer shall have been a member of the sponsoring congregation for at least six months prior to the inquirer phase. The inquirer and candidacy phases shall continue for a period of no less than two years, including at least one year as a candidate.
G-14.0404 Inquiry Phase	The purpose of the inquiry phase is to provide an opportunity for the church and those who believe themselves called to ministry of the Word and Sacrament to explore that call together in such a way that the decision regarding the inquirer’s suitability for ministry of the Word and Sacrament will be based on knowledge and experience of one another.
G-14.0405 Candidacy Phase	The purpose of the candidacy phase is to provide for the full preparation of persons to serve the church as ministers of the Word and Sacrament. This shall be accomplished through the guidance and evaluation of candidates, using learning contacts within the context of supportive relationships.
G-14.0410	Duties of Presbytery and Session
	The presbytery, through a committee on preparation for ministry, shall seek to instruct sessions on their role in the inquiry and candidacy process. Particular direction shall be given a session that has endorsed an inquirer or candidate.
G-14.0411 Oversight	During the phases of inquiry and candidacy, the individual continues to be an active member of his or her particular church and subject to the concern and discipline of the session. In matters relating to preparation for ministry, the individual is under the oversight of the presbytery through the committee on preparation for ministry.
G-14.0412 Presbytery Responsibility	The presbytery shall exercise responsibility for the spiritual growth of inquirers and candidates, to support them with an understanding and sympathetic interest, and to give guidance in regard to courses of study, familiarity with the Bible and with the confessions, practical training and plans for education including the choice of institutions, field education, and the inquirer’s or candidate’s financial need. The presbytery shall also seek to give guidance and instruction to the inquirer or candidate in the faith and polity of the church (G-6.0108).
G-14.0413 Session Responsibility	The session shall function in a supportive role during the phases of inquiry and candidacy to ensure that care is provided on a continuous basis. The session shall appoint an elder from the church to be a liaison with the inquirer or candidate and the appropriate presbytery committee. The session should consider the provision of financial support for the inquirer or candidate.
G-14.0420	Service in Covenant Relationship
	The committee on preparation for ministry shall monitor the covenant among presbytery and inquirers and candidates and the session. Inquirers and candidates shall be encouraged to engage in some form of supervised service to the church. The advisory handbook for committees on preparation for ministry shall provide guidance for supervision, evaluation, and reports on the service and preparation for ministry of inquirers and candidates. No inquirer or candidate who has not been previously ordained as an elder may serve as moderator of a session, administer the Sacraments, or perform a marriage service. An inquirer or candidate previously ordained as an elder may be authorized to administer the Lord’s Supper. (See G-6.0304, G-7.0306, G-10.0103, G-11.0103z, and G-14.0562.)
G-14.0421 Annual Reports	The presbytery shall require the inquirer or candidate to submit an annual written report on progress in studies and service to the church. The seminary or institution of theological education shall make an annual report on the progress of the inquirer or candidate toward preparation for ministry. The presbytery shall conduct an annual consultation for the evaluation and nurture of the inquirer or candidate. In no case shall an inquirer or candidate be excused from these annual consultations.
G-14.0430	Examinations
G-14.0431 Five Ordination Exams	Inquirers and candidates are encouraged to take the Bible Content Examination in their first year of seminary. The other four examinations shall ordinarily be taken by inquirers or candidates only after completion of two full years of theological education, or its equivalent, and shall be taken only upon approval by the committee on preparation for ministry of the inquirer’s or candidate’s presbytery, which shall first attest that the inquirer or candidate has completed adequate academic preparation in each examination area and adequate supervised experience in the practice of pastoral ministry. The areas of examinations are: Bible Content. Open Book Bible Exegesis. Theological Competence. Worship and Sacraments. Church Polity.
G-14.0432 Grading the Exams	The examinations required in the five specified areas shall be graded by representatives of the presbyteries under the supervision of the Presbyteries’ Cooperative Committee on Examinations for Candidates as provided in G-11.0103m. Descriptions of the examinations, the subjects, the schedule, and the procedures for their administration shall be prepared by the Presbyteries’ Cooperative Committee and approved by the General Assembly.
G-14.0440	Negotiation for Service
	A candidate who has completed two full years of theological education or its equivalent, who has had an annual consultation within the previous year, and who has successfully completed all ordination examinations or has received presbytery’s certification of readiness according to G-14.0472 may, with approval of the committee on preparation for ministry (CPM) and the appropriate committee on ministry, enter into negotiation for his or her ministerial service. For candidates who have not yet completed the two years of theological education or successfully completed all ordination examinations, the presbytery of care may, by three-fourths vote, permit a candidate to proceed to negotiate for service prior to certification of readiness to receive a call.
G-14.0450	Final Assessment of Readiness to Begin Ordained Ministry
	In the final year of theological education or when a candidate has satisfied all of the requirements of this section, and before the candidate has received a call, the committee on preparation for ministry of the candidate’s presbytery shall conduct a final assessment of the candidate’s readiness to begin ordained ministry. A summary of this assessment shall be reported to the presbytery and shall be transmitted to a calling presbytery when requested. The committee on preparation for ministry shall report to the presbytery when it has certified a candidate ready for examination for ordination, pending a call. This consultation shall focus on the outcomes of inquiry and candidacy and shall include each of the following requirements of certification: demonstration of readiness to begin ministry of the Word and Sacrament as required to fulfill the candidacy phase of preparation; presentation of a transcript showing satisfactory grades at a regionally accredited college or university, together with a diploma; presentation of a transcript from a theological institution accredited by the Association of Theological Schools acceptable to the presbytery, the transcript showing satisfactory grades, and presentation of a plan to complete the theological degree including Hebrew and Greek and exegesis of the Old and New Testaments using Hebrew and Greek texts; presentation of satisfactory grades together with the examination papers in the five areas covered by the Presbyteries’ Cooperative Committee on Examinations for Candidates.
G-14.0460	Transfer of or Removal from Covenant Relationship
G-14.0461 Transfer of Relationship	A presbytery may transfer the covenant relationship of an inquirer or candidate to another presbytery, but only with the approval of the receiving presbytery and the inquirer or candidate. An inquirer or candidate shall not transfer her or his membership to a particular church under the jurisdiction of another presbytery without the approval of the presbytery responsible for the person’s preparation for ministry. Whenever a presbytery approves such a transfer, it shall send to the other presbytery a certificate of its approval, its records concerning the individual, and the reasons for the request for transfer. Failure of an inquirer or candidate to follow this procedure shall result in the forfeiture of standing as an inquirer or candidate. No presbytery may restore the candidate’s status except by beginning again at the inquiry phase.
G-14.0462 Another Reformed Body	When a candidate is called to work under the jurisdiction of some other Reformed body, he or she may be dismissed as a candidate by certification. Likewise, candidates may be received for this purpose from other Reformed bodies by transfer of certificate.
G-14.0463 Removal from Relationship	An inquirer or candidate may, after consultation with the session and the committee on preparation for ministry, withdraw from covenant relationship. A presbytery may also, for sufficient reasons, remove an individual’s name from the roll of inquirers or candidates, reporting this action and the reasons to the session, to the individual, and, if appropriate, to the educational institution in which the individual is enrolled. In both instances, prior to final action, the committee on preparation for ministry shall make a reasonable attempt to give the inquirer or candidate and other parties of interest an opportunity to be heard by that committee.
G-14.0470	Extraordinary Circumstances
	All of the requirements for final assessment shall be met except in the following extraordinary circumstances:
G-14.0471 Educational Requirements	If the inquirer’s or candidate’s presbytery judges that there are good and sufficient reasons why certain of the educational requirements should not be met by an inquirer or candidate, it shall make an exception only by three-fourths vote of the members of presbytery present. A full account of the reasons for such an exception shall be included in the minutes of presbytery and shall be communicated to the presbytery to which the inquirer or candidate may be transferred. The successful completion of the course of study specified in such an exception shall fulfill the requirements for the final assessment of readiness to begin ministry.
G-14.0472 Examination Requirements	The examination requirements of G-14.0431 shall not be waived until an inquirer or candidate has failed on two attempts to receive a satisfactory grade, unless the inquirer or candidate has a disability, documented by a person or persons of the presbytery’s choice, which disability affects the individual’s test-taking ability. If the presbytery believes that the person should be certified as ready for examination for ordination, pending a call, it shall authorize an exception only by a three-fourths vote of the members of the presbytery present, and must determine an alternate means whereby it will satisfy itself of competence in the area(s) of difficulty. When the individual successfully completes the alternate pattern, the presbytery may certify readiness in the usual manner. The minutes of presbytery shall contain a full record of the reasons for the exception and the alternate pattern for determining competence.
G-14.0473 Time Requirements	The time requirements of the inquiry phase shall not be waived unless the presbytery judges that there are good and sufficient reasons why the time requirement should not be met by an inquirer or candidate. It shall make an exception only by three-fourths vote of the members of the presbytery present. A full account of the reasons for such an exception shall be included in the minutes of presbytery and shall be communicated to the presbytery to which the inquirer or candidate may be transferred. Under no circumstances shall the time requirement be less than one year.
G-14.0474 If Transferred	The foregoing exceptions shall hold if the presbytery has received the inquirer or candidate from another presbytery that approved the exemption of any of these requirements, the reception of the candidate having confirmed the action of the dismissing presbytery.
G-14.0480	Ordination an Act of the Whole Church
	Ordination for the office of minister of the Word and Sacrament is an act of the whole church carried out by the presbytery, setting apart a person to the ministry of the Word and Sacrament.
G-14.0481 Place of Examination and Ordination	The presbytery placing the call to a candidate for ministry shall ordinarily examine and, contingent upon the candidate’s successful completion of that examination and all requirements in G-14.0450, the presbytery responsible for the candidate’s preparation for ministry shall ordinarily ordain the candidate.
G-14.0482 Examination for Ordination	The candidate shall appear before the presbytery and shall make a brief statement of personal faith and of commitment to the ministry of the Word and Sacrament. The presbytery shall receive the report of its appropriate committee that the candidate has completed all requirements, and has been certified ready for ordination pending approval of the call. The report shall include a summary of waivers and exceptions of requirements granted. The presbytery may conduct further examination of the candidate’s Christian faith and views in theology, the Bible, the Sacraments, and the government of the church as it deems necessary. If the presbytery is fully satisfied of the candidate’s qualifications, it shall approve the call and vote to proceed to his or her ordination and installation.
G-14.0483 Presbytery of Call	The presbytery of call shall certify to the presbytery responsible for the candidate’s preparation for ministry that the candidate has been approved for ordination and installation. Ordinarily, the presbytery responsible for the candidate’s preparation for ministry shall ordain the candidate. (See W-4.4000.) Following the ordination, the stated clerk of the ordaining presbytery shall record the action, notify the session of the particular church of which the candidate has been a member so that the session may record the fact that the candidate is now ordained and has been transferred to the roll of the presbytery, and issue a letter of dismissal to the calling presbytery, which shall enroll the minister and proceed to install the minister.
G-14.0484 Agreement on Place of Ordination	The presbyteries and the candidate may agree that the ordination take place in the calling presbytery, in which case the presbytery may ordain and install the candidate at the same time at a service of worship in the presence of the calling congregation.
G-14.0485 Recording the Ordination	The presbytery shall record the ordination and installation as a part of its official records along with the acceptance and subscription of the new minister to the obligations undertaken in the ordination vows. It shall also be the duty of the stated clerk of the presbytery to enroll the newly ordained minister as a member of the presbytery and to report these actions to the Office of the General Assembly.
G-14.0490	Ordination of Minister of the Word and Sacrament
	Ordination questions and installation service information may be found at W-4.4000.
G-14.0500	Pastoral Relations
G-14.0501 Installed or Temporary Relations	Every church should have the pastoral services of a minister of the Word and Sacrament. The pastoral relations that may exist between a particular church and a minister of the Word and Sacrament are installed (permanent or designated) or temporary relations (see G-14.0550).
G-14.0510	Installed Pastoral Relations
G-14.0511 Permanent Pastoral Relations	A permanent pastoral relationship of pastor or associate pastor, full or part-time, is established by vote of the presbytery or its committee on ministry to approve the call to a minister of the Word and Sacrament elected by vote of the congregation. A pastor or associate pastor is installed by the presbytery and is a member of the session. The call approved by the presbytery cannot be changed or dissolved except by consent of the presbytery, at the request of the pastor or associate pastor, at the request of the church by action of the congregation, or when the presbytery, after consultation with the minister and the congregation, finds that the church’s mission under the Word imperatively demands it.
G-14.0512 Co-Pastors	A congregation may call more than one minister to serve as pastor or associate pastor, sharing duties within the congregation as agreed upon by the session and approved by the presbytery, using co-pastor or co-associate pastor or other suitable titles. When there are co-pastors, the presbytery, the ministers, and the session shall agree on a schedule for sharing the times each will moderate. When a particular church has two pastors serving as co-pastors and the relationship of one of them is dissolved, the other remains as pastor of the church.
G-14.0513 Succession and Extraordinary Circumstances	The official relationship of an associate pastor to a church is not dependent upon that of a pastor, but an associate pastor is not eligible to be the next installed pastor in a church that they have served together, or to be called as pastor to serve as co-pastor of that church, except in churches that currently have a co-pastor model in place which has been in effect for at least three years and the congregation desires to continue such a model. An associate pastor shall be directed in his or her work by the pastor in consultation with the session.
G-14.0520	Designated Pastoral Relations
G-14.0521 Calling a Designated Pastor	A designated pastoral relationship, full or part-time, is a call to a minister of the Word and Sacrament established by the presbytery for a term of not less than two nor more than four years. The congregation and the minister must both have agreed to be considered for a designated relationship. The congregation’s pastoral nominating committee shall nominate to the congregation for its consideration and vote, only from among those ministers designated to it by the presbytery’s committee on ministry. The minister is installed by the presbytery and is a member of the session.
G-14.0522 Renewing or Ending the Call	The call approved by the presbytery is renewable anytime during the last six months of the term, and cannot be changed or dissolved except by consent of the presbytery, at the request of the pastor or at the request of the church by action of the congregation, when the presbytery, after consultation with the minister and the congregation finds that the church’s mission under the Word imperatively demands it, or when the term specified in the call expires without action having been taken to renew the call. The presbytery may designate and the congregation may call more than one minister to serve as designated pastor, sharing duties within the congregation as agreed upon by the session and approved by the presbytery. When there is more than one pastor, the ministers and the session shall agree on a schedule for sharing the times each will moderate.
G-14.0523 Designated Pastor to Pastor	If there has been an open search process conducted by the committee on ministry and after at least two years of the designated pastor relationship, upon the concurrence of the committee on ministry, the designated pastor, and the session, acting in place of the pastor nominating committee for the single purpose of calling the designated pastor as pastor, a congregational meeting may be held to call the designated pastor as pastor. The session, with the concurrence of the committee on ministry, may call a congregational meeting to elect a pastor nominating committee to conduct a full pastoral search or to prosecute the call to the designated pastor to become pastor. The action of the congregation shall be reported to the presbytery. If the congregational action is affirmative, the presbytery, after voting to approve the new pastoral relationship, shall install the designated pastor as pastor.
G-14.0530	Election of a Pastor or Associate Pastor
	When a church is without a pastor, or has a vacancy in an associate pastor position, or after the effective date of the dissolution of the pastoral relationship, the congregation shall, with the guidance and permission of the committee on ministry (G-11.0502d), proceed to elect a pastor or associate pastor in the following manner.
G-14.0531 Pastor Nominating Committee	The session shall call a congregational meeting to elect a pastor nominating committee, which shall be representative of the whole congregation. This committee’s duty shall be to nominate a minister to the congregation for election as pastor or associate pastor. Public notice of the time, place, and purpose of the meeting to elect the pastor nominating committee shall be given in accord with G-7.0303b.
G-14.0532 Confer with Committee on Ministry	The pastor nominating committee shall confer with the committee on ministry as provided in G-11.0502d. When the committee is ready to report to the congregation, it shall notify the session, which shall call a congregational meeting in accord with G-7.0303b. The action of the congregation, if favorable, shall be presented to the presbytery for its concurrence.
G-14.0533 Signing the Call	Persons shall be elected by the vote of the congregation to sign the call and to present and prosecute the call before the presbytery. The moderator of the meeting shall certify to the presbytery that those signing the call were properly elected and that the call was in all other respects prepared as constitutionally required.
G-14.0534 Terms of the Call	The presbytery shall ensure that the call meets the requirements of federal and state tax laws and fully discloses the compensation of the minister. If the minister is obligated to fulfill military commitments during a period of pastoral service, an agreement should be added to the terms of call for that obligation and potential mobilization. If the call is for less than full time, the precise terms of the contract should be indicated. The terms of call shall always provide for compensation that meets or exceeds any minimum requirements of the presbytery in effect when the call is made, and the congregation’s obligation to review the adequacy of the minister’s compensation and adjust the compensation to meet changes in the presbytery’s requirements as amended from time to time. The call shall include participation in the Benefits Plan of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), including both pension and medical coverage, or any successor plan approved by the General Assembly.
G-14.0540	Installation of Minister
	Ordination questions and installation service information may be found at W-4.4000.
G-14.0550	Temporary Pastoral Relations
	All temporary relationships of a minister of the Word and Sacrament, full-time or part-time, are established by the session or commission of the presbytery with the approval of the presbytery through its committee on ministry. These temporary relationships have titles appropriate to the ministerial tasks to which the minister is called, such as stated supply, temporary supply, organizing pastor, interim pastor, and others. A minister serving in a temporary pastoral relationship is called for a specified period not to exceed twelve months in length, which is renewable with the approval of the committee on ministry. A written agreement, covenant, or terms of call signed by the minister, the clerk of session or presbytery commission, and a representative of the committee on ministry shall specify the pastoral functions, compensation, and any special skills or training required for the ministry. A temporary pastor is not installed and is not a member of the session. The presbytery shall appoint a moderator of the session who may be the temporary pastor.
G-14.0551 May Not Become Next Installed Pastor	A minister serving in a temporary pastoral relationship other than organizing pastor is not eligible to serve that church in the next permanent or designated pastoral relationship. A presbytery may choose to allow a temporary supply to become the next installed pastor by a two-thirds vote of the presbytery.
G-14.0552 Organizing Pastors	An organizing pastor is a minister or commissioned lay pastor appointed by the presbytery to serve as pastor to a group of people who are in the process of organizing a new Presbyterian church. This relationship as organizing pastor shall terminate when the new church is formally organized by the presbytery. At that time the new church may, with the approval of the committee on ministry and the presbytery, call the organizing pastor to be its pastor without being required to elect a pastor nominating committee and conduct a pastoral search, or it may choose to elect a pastor nominating committee and conduct a full pastoral search as provided in the Form of Government.
G-14.0553 Interim Pastoral Relations	When a presbytery and session determine that an interim pastor, interim co-pastor, or interim associate pastor is necessary and helpful, the session may consult the committee on ministry and seek an interim minister as soon as a date certain for departure has been announced by a pastor or associate pastor planning to leave. An interim pastor, interim co-pastor, or interim associate pastor is not eligible to serve that church as the next permanent or designated pastor.
G-14.0560	Commissioned Lay Pastor
	The commissioned lay pastor is an elder of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), who is granted a local commission by the presbytery to lead worship and preach the gospel, watch over the people, and provide for their nurture and service. This commission is valid only in one or more congregations, new church development, or other validated ministries of the presbytery designated by the presbytery. Such an elder is selected by and receives training approved by the presbytery. The elder shall be instructed in Bible, Reformed Theology and Sacraments, Presbyterian Polity, preaching, leading worship, pastoral care, and teaching. The elder shall be examined by the appropriate committee of presbytery as to personal faith, motives for seeking the commission, and the areas of instruction mentioned previously. An elder who has been commissioned and later ceases to serve in a particular congregation may continue to be listed as available to serve, but is not authorized to perform the functions of a commissioned lay pastor again until appointed to a particular congregation by the presbytery.
G-14.0561 Period Valid	The commission shall be valid for a period up to three years as determined by the presbytery. It may be renewed at expiration or terminated at any time at the discretion of the presbytery. Presbytery shall regularly provide resources for the person’s spiritual and intellectual development. A review of the work of the commissioned lay pastor shall be conducted annually. Presbytery shall revoke the commission of any lay pastor who does not abide by these provisions or whose work is evaluated as not adequate to meet the needs of the particular congregation or the presbytery.
G-14.0562 Authorization to Perform Functions	When a presbytery, in consultation with the session or other responsible committee, determines that its strategy for mission in a local church requires it, and after additional instruction deemed necessary by the presbytery has been provided, a presbytery may authorize a commissioned lay pastor to perform any or all of the following functions described in a.–e. below. Administer the Lord’s Supper. Administer the Sacrament of Baptism. Moderate the session of the congregation under the supervision of and when invited by the moderator of the session appointed by the presbytery, or when appointed by presbytery as moderator. Perform a service of Christian marriage when invited by the session or other responsible committee, and when allowed by the state. Have a voice and vote in meetings of the presbytery (such vote to be counted as an elder commissioner for purposes of parity).
G-14.0563 Pastoral Care and Confidentiality	Those serving as commissioned lay pastors shall be bound by the same standards of trust and confidentiality as ministers of the Word and Sacrament (G-6.0204).
G-14.0564 Supervision	The commissioned lay pastor shall work under the supervision of the presbytery through the moderator of the session of the church being served or through the committee on ministry. A minister of the Word and Sacrament shall be assigned as a mentor and supervisor.
G-14.0565 Questions Asked	When the presbytery is satisfied with the qualifications of an applicant, it shall ask the applicant the constitutional questions in W-4.4003, using these words for Question i: Will you be a faithful commissioned lay pastor, serving the people by proclaiming the good news, teaching faith and caring for the people, and in your ministry will you try to show the love and justice of Jesus Christ?
G-14.0570	Parish Associate Relationship
	A parish associate is a minister who serves in some validated ministry other than the local parish, or is a member-at-large, or is retired, but who wishes to maintain a relationship with a particular church or churches in keeping with ordination to the ministry of the Word and Sacrament. Such persons, already qualified as continuing members of presbytery, may serve as parish associates. The relation shall be established, upon nomination by the pastor, between the parish associate, the session, and the presbytery. The parish associate shall be responsible to the pastor, as head of staff, on an “as needed, as available” basis and with or without remuneration.
G-14.0571 May Not Be Next Installed Pastor	A parish associate may not be called to be the next installed pastor or associate pastor of a church served as parish associate, unless at least six months have elapsed since the end of the parish associate relationship.
G-14.0572 Presbytery Oversight	The presbytery shall adopt policies and procedures for oversight by the committee on ministry of the parish associate relationships of its minister members and the churches under its care, including annual review.
G-14.0573 Termination of the Relationship	The agreement between the session, the parish associate, and the presbytery shall terminate when the call to the installed pastor is dissolved. The presbytery may dissolve the relationship with the parish associate upon the recommendation of the committee on ministry.
G-14.0600	Dissolution of Installed Pastoral Relationships
G-14.0610	Dissolved by Presbytery
	The pastoral relationship between a pastor, associate pastor, and a church may be dissolved only by presbytery. Whether the minister or the church or the presbytery initiates proceedings for a dissolution of the relationship, there shall always be a meeting of the congregation to consider the matter and to request, or consent, or decline to consent to dissolution, as provided in G-7.0304a(3).
G-14.0611 Minister Requests	The minister may request the presbytery to dissolve the pastoral relationship. The minister must also state her or his intention to the session. The session shall call a congregational meeting to act upon the request and to make recommendations to presbytery. The presbytery may grant authority to its committee on ministry to dissolve the pastoral relationship and to inform the presbytery in cases in which the congregation and the pastor concur. If the congregation does not concur, the presbytery shall hear from the church, through the congregation’s elected commissioners, the reasons why the presbytery should not dissolve the pastoral relationship. If the church fails to appear, or if its reasons for retaining the relationship are judged insufficient, the request of the minister may be granted and the pastoral relationship dissolved.
G-14.0612 Congregation Requests	If any church desires the pastoral relationship to be dissolved, a similar procedure shall be observed. A congregation, after a duly called congregational meeting, may request presbytery to dissolve its relationship with its pastor. The pastor shall moderate the congregational meeting (in accordance with G-7.0306) unless he or she deems it to be impractical. The presbytery may grant authority to its committee on ministry to dissolve the relationship and to inform the presbytery in cases in which the pastor and the congregation concur. If the pastor does not concur, the presbytery shall hear from him or her the reasons why the presbytery should not dissolve the relationship. If the pastor fails to appear, or if the reasons for maintaining the relationship are judged insufficient, the relationship may be dissolved.
G-14.0613 Presbytery Action	The presbytery, through its committee on ministry or an administrative commission, may inquire into reported difficulties in a congregation and may dissolve the pastoral relationship if, after consultation with the minister, the session, and the congregation (G-7.0304a(3)), it finds the church’s mission under the Word imperatively demands it.
G-14.0620	Pastor Emeritus, Emerita
	When any pastor or associate pastor retires, and the congregation is moved by affection and gratitude to continue an association in an honorary relationship, it may, at a regularly called congregational meeting, elect him or her as pastor emeritus or emerita, with or without honorarium, but with no pastoral authority or duty. This action shall be taken only after consultation with the committee on ministry of the presbytery concerning the wisdom of this relationship for the peace of the church. This action shall be subject to the approval of presbytery, and may take effect upon the formal dissolution of the pastoral or associate pastoral relationship or anytime thereafter.
G-14.0630	Officiate by Invitation Only
	Former pastors, associate pastors, and ministers who do not have a pastoral relationship with the particular church as defined in this chapter may officiate at services for members of the church, or at services within its properties, only upon invitation from the moderator of the session or, in case of the inability to contact the moderator, from the clerk of session.
G-14.0700	Persons Called to Certified Ministry
G-14.0710	Christian Educators
	Christian educators are persons called by God to a ministry of education who demonstrate their faith in and love for Jesus Christ, are dedicated to the life of faith and are serious in purpose, honest in character, and joyful in service. Christian educators serving particular congregations are accountable to the session and under the supervision of the pastor, sharing with them the responsibility of providing for the spiritual growth of members for their ministry, teaching the Bible, recommending curriculum materials and resources, training and supporting lay workers, planning and administering the educational program of their congregations, and other tasks.
G-14.0711 Training	It is expected that Christian educators be persons with skills and training in biblical interpretation, Reformed theology, human development, religious educational theory and practice, and the polity, programs, and mission of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). They should be encouraged by their session and presbytery to meet, or prepare to meet, the accrediting requirements defined in this section.
G-14.0720	Certification for Christian Educators
	In order to provide effective guidance for educational ministry in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), the General Assembly shall offer a handbook containing the training and continuing education process for Christian Educators, which shall be administered and certification granted by the Educator Certification Council on behalf of the General Assembly Mission Council. The handbook shall also provide suggested models for support and accountability that synods and presbyteries may adopt for their own use or modify to fit local circumstances.
G-14.0721 Accrediting Process	The handbook shall provide an accrediting process that evaluates the educator’s academic preparation and work experience and examines competency in the following knowledge and skill areas: Biblical Interpretation Reformed Theology Human Development Religious Education Theory and Practice Polity of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Program and Mission of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Worship and Sacraments
G-14.0722 Educator Certification Council	The Educator Certification Council shall establish certification standards, designate Educator Certification Advisors in consultation with presbyteries, evaluate certification examinations, and grant certificates and report to the General Assembly Mission Council.
G-14.0730	Presbytery and Certified Christian Educators
	The presbytery shall support the certification process by encouraging educators to seek certification, providing guidance through the Educator Certification Advisor, and encouraging sessions to make continuing education funds and time available to educators seeking certification; and provide the following support to the certified Christian educators: service of recognition that shall include the constitutional questions at W-4.4003 (G-11.0103n); establish minimum requirements for compensation and benefits (G-11.0103n); and access to the committee on ministry (G-11.0503). The presbytery may grant the privilege of the floor to the Certified Christian Educator at all its meetings with voice only, and, in the case of Certified Christian Educators who are ordained elders, voice and vote under the provisions of G-11.0101b, during the term of service in an educational ministry under the jurisdiction of the presbytery. (G-11.0407)
G-14.0731 Service of Recognition	When the presbytery is satisfied with the qualifications of an applicant for a certified education position in ministry in the church, a service of recognition shall be provided that shall include the constitutional questions (W-4.4003), using these words for Question i: Will you be a faithful certified Christian educator, teaching faith and caring for people, and will you in your ministry try to show the love and justice of Jesus Christ?
G-14.0731 Service of Recognition	When the presbytery is satisfied with the qualifications of an applicant for a certified education position in ministry in the church, a service of recognition shall be provided that shall include the constitutional questions (W-4.4003), using these words for Question i: Will you be a faithful certified Christian educator, teaching faith and caring for people, and will you in your ministry try to show the love and justice of Jesus Christ?
G-14.0732 Duty to Report	Certified Christian educators shall report to ecclesiastical and civil legal authorities knowledge gained in the course of service to the church, of harm, or risk of harm, related to the physical abuse, neglect, and/or sexual molestation or abuse of a minor or an adult who lacks mental capacity when (1) such information is gained outside of privileged communication; or (2) he or she reasonably believes that there is risk of future physical harm or abuse.
G-14.0740	Other Certified Persons
	Other certified persons have been called to service within particular churches, governing bodies, and church-related entities. These individuals endeavor to reflect their faith through their work and to strengthen the church through their dedication.
G-14.0741 Organized Associations	To that end, groups of professionals have organized for community, support, and professional development. Several of these associations have entered into formal liaison relationships with General Assembly entities. These groups include the Administrative Personnel Association, the Presbyterian Association of Musicians, and the Presbyterian Church Business Administrators Association and others.
G-14.0742 Certification	Certification is overseen and granted by the individual associations; the requirements for certification are reported to the appropriate body of the General Assembly Mission Council. Members of the Administrative Personnel Association (APA) include secretaries, administrative assistants, bookkeepers, and support staff in church-related settings. Members of the Presbyterian Association of Musicians (PAM) include choir directors, organists, ministers, and other persons interested in the quality and integrity of music in the worship experience. Members of the Presbyterian Church Business Administrators Association include pastors and lay persons serving primarily as administrators in particular churches and church-related entities.
G-14.0743 Notification of Status	Names of those who have earned certification through these associations shall be transmitted to the appropriate body of the General Assembly Mission Council, which will forward them to the Office of the General Assembly and to the stated clerk of the presbyteries in which those persons labor.
G-14.0744 Recognition by Presbytery	The presbytery shall affirm the skill and dedication of these certified persons by providing for recognition at presbytery at the time of their certification, asking them the constitutional questions in W-4.4003, and by inviting these employees to presbytery meetings, granting them the privilege of the floor. When the presbytery is satisfied with the qualifications of an applicant for a certified position in ministry in the church, a service of recognition shall be provided that shall include the constitutional questions (W-4.4003), using these words for Question i: Will you be a faithful Certified ___________, teaching faith and caring for people, and will you in your ministry try to show the love and justice of Jesus Christ?

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FORM OF GOVERNMENT CHAPTER XIV

FORM OF GOVERNMENT
CHAPTER XIV