FORM OF GOVERNMENT CHAPTER IV
	G-4.0000 THE CHURCH AND ITS UNITY G-4.0100 1. The Church—Universal and Particular G-4.0101 Universal Church    The Church universal consists of all persons in every nation, together with their children, who profess faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and commit themselves to live in a fellowship under his rule.a G-4.0102 Universal and Particular    Since this whole company cannot meet together in one place to worship and to serve, it is reasonable that it should be divided into particular congregations.b The particular church is, therefore, understood as a local expression of the universal Church. G-4.0103 Particular Church    A particular church consists of those persons in a particular place, along with their children, who profess faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and who have been gathered for the service of God as set forth in Scripture,c subject to a particular form of church government.d G-4.0104 A Particular Presbyterian Church    Each particular church of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) shall be governed by this Constitution. Its officers are ministers of the Word and Sacrament, elders, and deacons. Its government and guidance are the responsibility of the session. It shall fulfill its responsibilities as the local unit of mission for the service of all people, for the upbuilding of the whole church, and for the glory of God. G-4.0200 2. The Unity of the Church   G-4.0201 Unity in Mission    The unity of the Church is a gift of its Lord and finds expression in its faithfulness to the mission to which Christ calls it. The Church is a fellowship of believers which seeks the enlargement of the circle of faith to include all people and is never content to enjoy the benefits of Christian community for itself alone. G-4.0202 Oneness    There is one Church. As the Bible speaks of the one body which is the Church living under the one Spirit of God known through Christ, it reminds us that we have “one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of us all.” (Ephesians 4:5-6) G-4.0203 Visible Oneness    Visible oneness, by which a diversity of persons, gifts, and understandings is brought together, is an important sign of the unity of God’s people. It is also a means by which that unity is achieved. Further, while divisions into different denominations do not destroy this unity, they do obscure it for both the Church and the world. The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), affirming its historical continuity with the whole Church of Jesus Christ, is committed to the reduction of that obscurity and is willing to seek and to maintain communion and community with all other branches of the one, catholic Church. (G-15.0000)e G-4.0300  3. Principles of Presbyterian Government   G-4.0301 Presbyterian Polity    The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) reaffirms, within the context of its commitment to the Church universal, a special commitment to basic principles of Presbyterian polity: The particular churches of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) wherever they are, taken collectively, constitute one church; This church shall be governed by presbyters (elders and ministers of the Word and Sacrament, traditionally called ruling and teaching elders); These presbyters shall come together in governing bodies (traditionally called judicatories or courts) in regular gradation; Presbyters are not simply to reflect the will of the people, but rather to seek together to find and represent the will of Christ; Decisions shall be reached in governing bodies by vote, following opportunity for discussion, and a majority shall govern; A higher governing body shall have the right of review and control over a lower one and shall have power to determine matters of controversy upon reference, complaint, or appeal; Presbyters are ordained only by the authority of a governing body; Ecclesiastical jurisdiction is a shared power, to be exercised jointly by presbyters gathered in governing bodies; Governing bodies possess whatever administrative authority is necessary to give effect to duties and powers assigned by the Constitution of the church. G-4.0302 Presbyterian Unity   The nature of Presbyterian order is such that it shares power and responsibility. The system of governing bodies, whether they have authority over one or many churches, sustains such mutual relationships within the structures as to express the unity of the church. G-4.0303 Historical Awareness    The Presbyterian system of government calls for continuity with and faithfulness to the heritage which lies behind the contemporary church. It calls equally for openness and faithfulness to the renewing activity of the God of history. G-4.0304 Ecumenical Awareness    This form of government is established in the light of Scripturef to give order to this church but is not regarded as essential to the existence of the Church of Jesus Christ nor to be required of all Christians. G-4.0400 4. Diversity and Inclusiveness   G-4.0401 Variety of Forms    The church in its witness to the uniqueness of the Christian faith is called to mission and must be responsive to diversity in both the church and the world. Thus the fellowship of Christians as it gathers for worship and orders its corporate life will display a rich variety of form, practice, language, program, nurture, and service to suit culture and need. G-4.0402 Openness to Others    Our unity in Christ enables and requires the church to be open to all persons and to the varieties of talents and gifts of God’s people, including those who are in the communities of the arts and sciences. G-4.0403 Full Participation    The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) shall give full expression to the rich diversity within its membership and shall provide means which will assure a greater inclusiveness leading to wholeness in its emerging life. Persons of all racial ethnic groups, different ages, both sexes, various disabilities, diverse geographical areas, different theological positions consistent with the Reformed tradition, as well as different marital conditions (married, single, widowed, or divorced) shall be guaranteed full participation and access to representation in the decision making of the church. (G-9.0104ff)  Back to the Book of Order Table of Contents

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