As I mentioned in last week’s Weekly Word, over the summer, we will be looking at the first part of the Book of Order of the Presbyterian Church (USA). Each Sunday, we will take a portion of the “Foundations of Presbyterian Polity” section of the Book of Order.
In this Sunday’s sermon, I take a little time to do some definitions of a few key words and phrases.
One of those words is “polity” and one of those key phrases is “Book of Order.”
The word “polity” comes from Greek and Latin words that mean, basically, “form of government or administration of a state.” Just as the United States Constitution outlines the form of government for our nation, the Book of Order outlines the form of government for the church. How does/should the church be governed?
As Presbyterians, we are governed – not by bishops, or even pastors – but by Ruling Elders – people who are chosen by the congregation through a nominating process and elected to serve on the Session of the church.
Our church polity is basically a big part of the word “Presbyterian,” which comes from a Greek word that means “Elders.”
The Book of Order has four different sections:
F – The Foundations of Presbyterian Polity – Which describes “what” the church is and “why” the church exists.
G – The Form of Government – Which outlines the structure of the church and how we are called to govern ourselves.
W – The Directory for Worship – Which outlines the parts of a Presbyterian worship service, the meaning of the sacraments, weddings, and other worship-related things.
D – The Rules of Discipline – Which outlines the procedure for what should happen when there is misconduct in a local church or Presbytery.
I sometimes joke that there are parts of the Book of Order that are a really good cure for insomnia, but I find the very first section – The Foundations of Presbyterian Polity – to be absolutely beautiful (despite the kind of technical name).
Just as a preview, this is the part of the “Foundations” section that we will be discussing this Sunday. . .
The good news of the Gospel is that the triune God — Father, Son, and Holy Spirit — creates, redeems, sustains, rules, and transforms all things and all people. This one living God, the Scriptures say, liberated the people of Israel from oppression and covenanted to be their God. By the power of the Spirit, this one living God is incarnate in Jesus Christ, who came to live in the world, die for the world, and be raised again to new life. The Gospel of Jesus Christ announces the nearness of God’s kingdom, bringing good news to all who are impoverished, sight to all who are blind, freedom to all who are oppressed, and proclaiming the Lord’s favor upon all creation.
The mission of God in Christ gives shape and substance to the life and work of the Church. In Christ, the Church participates in God’s mission for the transformation of creation and humanity by proclaiming to all people the good news of God’s love, offering to all people the grace of God at font and table, and calling all people to discipleship in Christ. Human beings have no higher goal in life than to glorify and enjoy God now and forever, living in covenant fellowship with God and participating in God’s mission.
It might look like a LOT to take in (and it is!) but I hope that, together, we will be able to give some theological language to the “why” of who and what we are as a church – specifically a congregation of the PC(USA). This is important stuff to know and learn in this day and age, for a variety of reasons. May God bless us in our knowing and learning.
See you in church!
Grace and Peace,
John
PS – This Sunday, we will also be recognizing our Graduating Seniors, our Third Graders will receive Bibles, and we will recognize the recipients of the Deacon’s Scholarship. It’s going to be a big day!
Prepare for Worship
This Week: “God’s Mission is Our Mission” (Foundations of Presbyterian Polity – Week 1)
Read Isaiah 61:1-4
Read Luke 4:16-21
Read or sing Hymn # 526 – “Let Us Talents and Tongues Employ”
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