New Video Series: BCO Basics
Why do we govern the Church the way we do? What biblical principles underlie our polity? How do the courts of the Church relate to one another? How should the Book of Church Order (BCO) be used as a pastoral tool that helps elders and deacons shepherd Christ’s people?
These are the questions addressed in Equipping for Service: BCO Basics, a new twelve-part video series developed jointly by the Administrative Committee and the Committee on Discipleship Ministries (CDM). Designed for officer training and ongoing development, the series equips church leaders and members with a deeper foundation in Presbyterian polity and the Book of Church Order. Explore topics such as Foundations of Presbyterian Polity, Overview of the BCO, The Preliminary Principles, and The Five Heads of Church Government, and more.
TE Fred Greco, Stated Clerk of the PCA, highlights the foundational value of these resources:
“Our polity is not just procedure: it rests on principles drawn from God’s Word, and it guards the peace and unity of the Church. This new video series explains not only how we are governed but why — the rule of Christ exercised through ordained men. Helping church members and church courts understand our Book of Church Order has been a focus of my ministry for years, so I commend this series to every Session and Presbytery in the PCA.” -Fred Greco, PCA Stated Clerk
Seasoned PCA churchmen with years of varying experience serving Christ’s Church teach each module, including TE Scott Barber, RE John Bise, RE Howie Donahoe, TE Fred Greco, TE Eddie Lim, TE Sean Lucas, RE E.J. Nusbaum, TE Mike Ross, TE Stephen Tipton, TE Guy Waters, and RE Greg Wilbur.
What makes these videos valuable is that they are not merely about procedures. They are about helping officers serve wisely and faithfully, providing a framework to understand not only what the BCO says, but why it says it and how it can be used to shepherd God’s people well. Just as importantly, the series builds a shared understanding so officers can lead from a common framework rather than individual experience. The goal is deeper than knowing what the BCO says; it is understanding how Presbyterian church government serves the peace, purity, and mission of Christ’s church.
A Pastoral Tool, Not Just a Constitutional Document
The vision behind these videos is rooted in a conviction passed down from early leaders of the PCA. TE Stephen Estock, who helped develop the series, describes learning this firsthand as a young pastor serving on the Examinations Committee of Southeast Alabama Presbytery alongside RE Jack Williamson, and later studying under TE Don MacNair at Covenant Theological Seminary. Through those mentors and others, including Bob Cannada, Jim Baird, Kennedy Smartt, Charles Dunahoo, and Roy Taylor, Estock learned a lesson he wanted future generations of officers to inherit:
“The BCO is to be used as a tool, not a weapon; a helper, not a hammer; a guide, not a guillotine; a suggestion, not a sword.” –RE Jack Williamson, Moderator of the First General Assembly
This vision shapes the format of each video: a summary of what the BCO says, followed by an interview with a current PCA leader showing how the content plays out in the life of a real congregation.
How Can Churches Use These Videos
The videos are intended to be practical and accessible. They can be used for church officer training as continuing education for leaders, for Presbytery supplemental training, or by individual members who want to better understand Presbyterian polity. Each twenty-minute video is concise and focused, making it easy to use in a variety of settings.
For example, officers-in-training could watch a video on their own time, then gather with others to discuss how that particular topic applies to their unique church context. Doing so connects local church leaders with denominational leaders they might otherwise never meet and frees pastors to focus on helping officers shepherd their congregations well while remaining true to the BCO.
Whether you are a newly elected officer, a seasoned elder, a deacon, a pastor, a Session looking for training resources, or someone seeking greater insight into Church polity, Equipping for Service: BCO Basics offers a valuable opportunity to deepen your understanding of Presbyterian church government and grow in your ability to faithfully serve Christ’s church .
Watch the full series: Equipping for Service: BCO Basics. Our prayer is that these resources will help cultivate clarity, confidence, and a shared understanding of Presbyterian polity as officers faithfully serve Christ’s Church.