BCO Amendments

sent to the Presbyteries by the 52nd General Assembly

NOTE: The Stated Clerk’s Office sends the proposed amendments only in their final form as approved by the General Assembly.

Looking for the current overtures coming to the upcoming General Assembly?  Click here.

ITEM 1: Amend BCO 8-4, 20-1, 21-1, 21-12, and 23-1 for the calling and dissolution of TE relationships for Needful Works

(strikethrough for deletions, underlining for additions)

[Overture 30 was answered in the affirmative as amended by the Overtures Committee.]

8-4.    As the Lord has given different gifts to men and has committed to some special gifts and callings, the Church is authorized to call and appoint some to labor as teaching elders in such works as may be needful to the Church (cf. BCO 21-12). When a teaching elder is called to such needful work, it shall be incumbent upon him to make full proof of his ministry by disseminating the Gospel for the edification of the Church. He shall make a report to the Presbytery at least once each year.

20-1.    Before a candidate, or licentiate, can be ordained to the office of the ministry, he must receive a call to a definite work. Ordinarily the call must come from a church, Presbytery, a permanent Committee or Agency (see BCO 14-1.12), or the General Assembly of this denomination. If the call comes from another source, the Presbytery shall always make a record of the reasons why it considers the work to be a valid Christian ministry. (See also BCO 8-7 and 21-1).

21-1.    No minister, licentiate or candidate shall receive a call from a church or a call to a needful work (BCO 21-12) but by the permission of his Presbytery. When a call has been presented to the Presbytery, if found in order and the Presbytery deems it for the good of the Church, they shall place it in the hands of the person to whom it is addressed.

21-12.  Needful Works

a. A minister, licentiate, or candidate that receives a call from a body other than a PCA church shall be considered to have a call to a Needful Work (cf. BCO 8-4 if the call is approved by Presbytery). Such calls shall include (without limitation): (i) calls from the General Assembly or a permanent Committee or Agency, (ii) chaplaincy calls from a Presbytery, MNA, other permanent Committee or Agency, or other body, (iii) missionary calls from MTW or other missionary society, (iv) campus minister calls from RUF, (v) calls from outside the PCA, and (vi) calls to be a teacher in a school of divinity or to give instruction in the doctrines and duties of religion in a school, college, or university.

b. Ordination to a Needful Work. The day appointed for the ordination having come, and the Presbytery being convened, a sermon suitable for the occasion shall be preached by a person appointed or invited by the Presbytery. The Presbytery member appointed to preside shall afterwards briefly recite from the pulpit the proceedings of the Presbytery preparatory to the ordination; he shall point out the nature and importance of the ordinance, and endeavor to impress the audience with a proper sense of the solemnity of the transaction.

Questions for Ordination

    Then, addressing himself to the candidate, he shall propose to him the following questions:

1. 1. Do you believe the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, as originally given, to be the inerrant Word of God, the only infallible rule of faith and practice?
   2. Do you sincerely receive and adopt the Confession of Faith and the Catechisms of this Church, as containing the system of doctrine taught in the Holy Scriptures; and do you further promise that if at any time you find yourself out of accord with any of the fundamentals of this system of doctrine, you will on your own initiative, make known to your Presbytery the change which has taken place in your views since the assumption of this ordination vow?
   3. Do you approve of the form of government and discipline of the Presbyterian Church in America, in conformity with the general principles of Biblical polity?
   4. Do you promise subjection to your brethren in the Lord?
   5. Have you been induced, as far as you know your own heart, to seek the office of the holy ministry from love to God and a sincere desire to promote His glory in the Gospel of His Son?
   6. Do you promise to be zealous and faithful in maintaining the truths of the Gospel and the purity and peace and unity of the Church, whatever persecution or opposition may arise unto you on that account?
   7. Do you engage to be faithful and diligent in the exercise of all your duties as a Christian and a minister of the Gospel, whether personal or relational, private or public; and to endeavor by the grace of God to adorn the profession of the Gospel in your manner of life, and to walk with exemplary piety before the flock of which God shall make you overseer?
   8. Do you now undertake this Needful Work, and do you promise, in reliance on God for strength, to be faithful in the discharge of all the duties incumbent on you as a minister of the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ?

    The candidate having answered these questions in the affirmative, the presiding minister shall propose to representatives from the entity extending the call the following questions:

1. 1. Do you, representatives from the entity extending the call, continue to profess your readiness to receive _________________, whom you have called to this Needful Work?
   2. Do you promise to receive the word of truth from his mouth with meekness and love?
   3. Do you promise to encourage him in his labors, and to assist his endeavors for your instruction and spiritual edification?
   4. Do you engage to continue to him while he is in this call that competent worldly maintenance which you have promised, and to furnish him with whatever you may see needful for the honor of religion and for his comfort among you?

    The representatives from the entity extending the call having answered these questions in the affirmative, by holding up their right hands, the candidate shall kneel, and the presiding minister shall, with prayer and the laying on of hands of the Presbytery, according to the apostolic example, solemnly set him apart to the holy office of the Gospel ministry. Prayer being ended, he shall rise from his knees; and the minister who presides shall first, followed by all members of the Presbytery, take him by the right hand, saying, in words to this effect:

We give you the right hand of fellowship, to take part in this ministry with us.

    The presiding minister shall then say:

I now pronounce and declare that __________________ has been regularly elected, and ordained, agreeable to the Word of God, and according to the Constitution of the Presbyterian Church in America; and that as such he is entitled to all support, encouragement, honor, and obedience in the Lord:  In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.  Amen.

    After which the minister presiding, or some other teaching or ruling elder appointed for the purpose, shall give a solemn charge to the minister to persevere in the discharge of his duties, and then after prayer and the singing of a psalm, or hymn, the congregation shall be dismissed with the benediction. The Presbytery shall duly record its proceedings.

Installation to a Needful Work. In the installation of an ordained minister to a Needful Work, the following questions are to be substituted for those addressed to a candidate for ordination, namely:

Questions for Installation

1. 1. Are you now willing to take charge of this Needful Work, agreeable to your declaration in accepting the call?
   2. Do you conscientiously believe and declare, as far as you know your own heart, that, in taking upon you this charge, you are influenced by a sincere desire to promote the glory of God and the good of the Church?
   3. Do you solemnly promise that, by the assistance of the grace of God, you will endeavor faithfully to discharge all the duties of this Needful Work, and will be careful to maintain a deportment in all respects becoming a minister of the Gospel of Christ, agreeable to your ordination engagements?

    The candidate having answered these questions in the affirmative, the presiding minister shall propose to the calling entity the following questions:

1. 1. Do you, representatives from the entity extending the call, continue to profess your readiness to receive _________________, whom you have called to this Needful Work?
   2. Do you promise to encourage him in his labors, and to assist his endeavors in instruction and spiritual edification for those to whom he is called to minister?
   3. Do you engage to continue to him while he is in this call that competent worldly maintenance which you have promised, and to furnish him with whatever you may see needful for the honor of religion and for his comfort among you?

c. Transfer of man in a Needful Work. When a man who has a call to a Needful Work desires to move from one field of labor to another, if the field of labor is in another Presbytery, the minister may be examined and approved by that Presbytery to labor in the field to which he is being transferred, and may be released for transfer by his present Presbytery (see BCO 13-6), or the procedures set forth in BCO 13-2 (sentence two) and BCO 19-1 shall be followed.

23-1. [added to the current 23-1 as a new, final paragraph]
In the case of a needful work (BCO 21-12), when any minister shall tender the resignation of his call to his Presbytery, the Presbytery shall cite such an entity to appear, to show cause why the Presbytery should or should not accept the resignation. If such an entity fails to appear, or if its reasons for retaining the minister be deemed insufficient, his resignation shall be accepted and the relation dissolved. If any calling entity desires to be relieved of the minister called to the particular needful work, a similar procedure shall be observed. In any case, the minister must not physically leave the field until the Presbytery or its commission empowered to handle uncontested requests for dissolution has dissolved the relation.

ITEM 2: Amend BCO 12-3 so that a Session may elect one of its members as moderator in judicial cases

(strikethrough for deletions, underlining for additions)

[Overture 37 was answered in the affirmative]

12-3.    When a church is without a pastor, the moderator of the Session may be either a minister appointed for that purpose by the Presbytery, with consent of the Session, or one invited by the Session to preside on a particular occasion, or one of its own members elected to preside. In judicial cases, whether the church is with or without a pastor, the Session may elect one of its members to preside as moderator shall be a or invite a minister of the Presbytery to which the church belongs to preside as moderator.

ITEM 3: Amend BCO 15-5.c to clarify the handling of an SJC minority decision by GA

(strikethrough for deletions, underlining for additions)

[Overture 29 was answered in the affirmative as amended by the Overtures Committee.]

15-5.

3. 3. (1) If, within twenty-four (24) hours of the time of adjournment of a Standing Judicial Commission meeting at which a final decision was rendered in a case, at least one-third (1/3) of the voting members of the Standing Judicial Commission voting on a particular final decision file written notice of their intention to file a minority decision with the Stated Clerk of the General Assembly, and within twenty (20) days from the adjournment do file such a minority decision, such minority decision shall be considered a minority report and shall be referred, with the report of the Standing Judicial Commission, to the General Assembly. In each instance “file” shall be understood as defined by the Operating Manual for Standing Judicial Commission.

(2) No such reference* from the Standing Judicial Commission shall be considered by the General Assembly unless the report of the Standing Judicial Commission, and the minority report, the Record of the Case, and all briefs timely filed by the parties have been distributed in electronic form mailed to the clerk of Session of each church and published in the Commissioner Handbook at least thirty (30) days prior to the meeting of the General Assembly.

(3) The Assembly shall act upon such a reference* from the Standing Judicial Commission, in each case without question, discussion, debate, or amendment, as follows:

(a) The Standing Judicial Commission shall have 30 minutes to present its decision to the Assembly.
(b) The minority shall have 30 minutes to present its decision to the Assembly.
(c) The Standing Judicial Commission shall have 10 minutes to reply to the minority report.
(d) The decision of the minority shall be proposed, and the General Assembly shall, without question, discussion, debate, or amendment, approve or disapprove of the minority report.
(e) If the General Assembly approves the minority report, it shall be the decision of the General Assembly and printed in its minutes. There may be no complaint or appeal from such a final decision of the General Assembly.
(f)  If the General Assembly disapproves the minority report, the General Assembly shall take up the decision of the Standing Judicial Commission and without question, discussion, debate, or amendment, approve or disapprove of the decision of the Standing Judicial Commission.

(4) If the General Assembly approves of a proposed the Standing Judicial Commission’s decision, it shall be the decision of the General Assembly, and printed in its minutes. There may be no complaint or appeal from such a final decision of the General Assembly. If the General Assembly finally disapproves of both proposed decisions, it must set the case for hearing before the General Assembly or a special commission of six (6) Teaching Elders and six (6) Ruling Elders appointed by the Moderator of the General Assembly it, and in either instance the case shall be tried on the record as delivered to the Stated Clerk. Any such special commission shall then proceed to consider the case and shall report its decision, in like manner, to the General Assembly for its approval or disapproval. In any event, the full record of the case, including written testimony of witnesses, all documents, exhibits and papers shall be delivered to the Stated Clerk for permanent preservation.

ITEM 4: Amend BCO 18-2 to allow flexibility on applications to come under care 

(strikethrough for deletions, underlining for additions)

[Overture 6 was answered in the affirmative as amended by the Overtures Committee.]

18-2.    Every applicant for the ministry must put himself under the care of Presbytery, which should ordinarily be the Presbytery that has jurisdiction of the church of which he is a member. The endorsement of his Session must be given to the Presbytery, consisting of testimonials regarding his Christian character and promise of usefulness in the ministry. The endorsement should also describe the activities of ministry the applicant has participated in with brief evaluation.

            Every applicant for care shall be a member of the congregation whose session provides an endorsement for at least six months before filing his application, except in those cases deemed extraordinary by the Presbytery.

            Every applicant must file his application with the clerk of the Presbytery at least one month before the meeting of the Presbytery. An applicant for care may not be received under care and examined for ordination at the same meeting of the Presbytery, since he must serve a period of at least one year of internship prior to ordination (see BCO 19-7 and 21-4). An applicant for internship is obliged to be under care and may be licensed to preach the Gospel; further, one who is not already under care may be taken under care, be licensed to preach the Gospel, and become an intern at the same meeting of Presbytery.

ITEM 5: Amend BCO 24-1 to require ruling elders and deacons to state confessional differences

(strikethrough for deletions, underlining for additions)

[Overture 8 was answered in the affirmative as amended by the Overtures Committee.]

24-1.    Every church shall elect persons to the offices of ruling elder and deacon in the following manner: At such times as determined by the Session, communicant members of the congregation may submit names to the Session, keeping in mind that each prospective officer should be an active male member who meets the qualifications set forth in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1. Nominees for the office of ruling elder and/or deacon shall receive instruction in the qualifications and work of the office.

1. 1. Each nominee shall be examined in:
      1. his Christian experience, especially his personal character and family management (based on the qualifications set out in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:6-9),
      2. his knowledge of Bible content,
      3. his knowledge of the system of doctrine, government, discipline contained in the Constitution of the Presbyterian Church in America (BCO Preface III, The Constitution Defined),
      4. the duties of the office to which he has been nominated, and
      5. his willingness to give assent to the questions required for ordination. (BCO 24-6).
   2. In the examination of the nominee’s personal character, the Session shall give specific attention to potential notorious concerns. Careful attention must be given to his practical struggle against sinful actions, as well as to persistent sinful desires. The nominee must give clear testimony of reliance upon his union with Christ and the benefits thereof by the Holy Spirit, depending on this work of grace to make progress over sin (Psalm 103:2-5, Romans 8:29) and to bear fruit (Psalm 1:3, Gal. 5:22-23). While imperfection will remain, when confessing sins and sinful temptations publicly, the nominee must exercise great care not to diminish the seriousness of those sins in the eyes of the congregation, as though they were matters of little consequence, but rather should testify to the work of the Holy Spirit in his progress in holiness (1 Cor. 6:9-11).
   3. Notwithstanding the above, the Session may render a decision on Christian experience at any point in the process, and based on that decision, may judge him ineligible for that election.
   4. While our Constitution does not require the nominee’s affirmation of every statement and/or proposition of doctrine in our Confession of Faith and Catechisms, it is the right and responsibility of the Session to determine if the nominee is out of accord with any of the fundamentals of these doctrinal standards and, as a consequence, may not be able in good faith sincerely to receive and adopt the Confession of Faith and Catechisms of this Church as containing the system of doctrine taught in the Holy Scriptures (cf. BCO 21-5, Q.2; 24-6, Q.2).
   5. Therefore, in examining a nominee for ordination, the Session shall inquire not only into the nominee’s knowledge and views in the areas specified above but also shall require the nominee to state the specific instances in which he may differ with the Confession of Faith and Catechisms in any of their statements and/or propositions. The court may grant an exception to any difference of doctrine only if in the court’s judgment the nominee’s declared difference is not out of accord with any fundamental of our system of doctrine because the difference is neither hostile to the system nor strikes at the vitals of religion. The Session shall record in its records (BCO 12-7) such declared differences (or that there were no differences) and its assessment of each declared difference in accordance with the categories set forth in RAO 16-3.e.7.
   6. If there are candidates eligible for the election, the Session shall report to the congregation those eligible, giving at least thirty (30) days prior notice of the time and place of a congregational meeting for elections.
   7. If one-fourth (1/4) of the persons entitled to vote shall at any time request the Session to call a congregational meeting for the purpose of electing additional officers, it shall be the duty of the Session to call such a meeting on the above procedure. The number of officers to be elected shall be determined by the congregation after hearing the Session’s recommendation.

   [Stated Clerk’s Note: If both items 5 and 6 pass, the language proposed in Item 6 will be inserted into the new BCO 24-1.c.]

ITEM 6: Amend BCO 24-1 to clarify a Session’s role in examining officer nominees

(strikethrough for deletions, underlining for additions)

[Overture 24 was answered in the affirmative as amended by the Overtures Committee.]

24-1.    Every church shall elect persons to the offices of ruling elder and deacon in the following manner: At such times as determined by the Session, communicant members of the congregation may submit names to the Session, keeping in mind that each prospective officer should be an active male member who meets the qualifications set forth in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1. Nominees for the office of ruling elder and/or deacon shall receive instruction in the qualifications and work of the office.

1. his Christian experience, especially his personal character and family management (based on the qualifications set out in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:6-9),
2. his knowledge of Bible content,
3. his knowledge of the system of doctrine, government, discipline contained in the Constitution of the Presbyterian Church in America (BCO Preface III, The Constitution Defined),
4. the duties of the office to which he has been nominated, and
5. his willingness to give assent to the questions required for ordination. (BCO 24-6).

In the examination of the nominee’s personal character, the Session shall give specific attention to potential notorious concerns. Careful attention must be given to his practical struggle against sinful actions, as well as to persistent sinful desires. The nominee must give clear testimony of reliance upon his union with Christ and the benefits thereof by the Holy Spirit, depending on this work of grace to make progress over sin (Psalm 103:2-5, Romans 8:29) and to bear fruit (Psalm 1:3, Gal. 5:22-23). While imperfection will remain, when confessing sins and sinful temptations publicly, the nominee must exercise great care not to diminish the seriousness of those sins in the eyes of the congregation, as though they were matters of little consequence, but rather should testify to the work of the Holy Spirit in his progress in holiness (1 Cor. 6:9-11)

Notwithstanding the above, the Session may render a decision on Christian experience at any point in the process, and based on that decision, may judge him, whether previously ordained or not, ineligible for that election.

If there are candidates eligible for the election, the Session shall report to the congregation those eligible, giving at least thirty (30) days prior notice of the time and place of a congregational meeting for elections.

If one-fourth (1/4) of the persons entitled to vote shall at any time request the Session to call a congregational meeting for the purpose of electing additional officers, it shall be the duty of the Session to call such a meeting on the above procedure. The number of officers to be elected shall be determined by the congregation after hearing the Session’s recommendation.

[Stated Clerk’s Note: If both items 5 and 6 pass, the language proposed in Item 6 will be inserted into the new BCO 24-1.c]

ITEM 7: Amend BCO 31-10 to require vote of the entire court to suspend an officer’s official functions during process

(strikethrough for deletions, underlining for additions)

[Overture 31 was answered in the affirmative as amended by the Overtures Committee.]

31-10.    When a member of a church court is under process, all his official functions may be administratively suspended at the court’s discretion; but this shall never be done in the way of censure, and this requires a two-thirds (2/3) majority of members present and voting (not counting abstentions) at the meeting of the Session or Presbytery, even if the process is being conducted by a commission.

ITEM 8: Amend BCO 35-9 to require recording all parts of a trial

(strikethrough for deletions, underlining for additions)

[Overture 40 was answered in the affirmative.]

35-9.    All testimony parts of a trial other than deliberations shall be recorded (by transcription, audiotape, videotape, or some other electronic means) and witnesses informed of such prior to testifying. Such recording becomes part of the Record of the Case. However, in order to be referenced in written or oral briefs, such recording must be transcribed and the transcription authenticated by the trial court. The court of final appeal may assess the cost of transcription equitably among the parties

ITEM 9: Amend BCO 36-4 to add language for the administration of definite suspension from office

(strikethrough for deletions, underlining for additions)

[Overture 15 was answered in the affirmative as amended by the Overtures Committee.]

36-4.    Definite suspension from office should be administered in the presence of the court alone or in open session of the court, as it may deem best, and public announcement thereof shall be at the court’s discretion. When the court has resolved to pass this sentence, the moderator shall address the offending brother to the following purpose:

       Whereas, you, ___________________ (here describe the brother as a teaching elder, ruling elder, or deacon) are convicted by sufficient proof (or are guilty by your own confession) of the sin of ______________ (here insert the offense), and have satisfied the court as to your repentance by the grace of God; yet for the credit of religion, the honor of Christ, and your own good we the _______________________ (Presbytery (or Church Session) in the name and by the authority of the Lord Jesus Christ, do now declare you suspended from the exercise of your office, and all the functions thereof, for __________________ (here state the dates on which the suspension begins and ends).

       To this shall be added such advice or admonition as may be judged necessary, and the whole shall be concluded with prayer to almighty God that He would follow this act of discipline with His blessing.

ITEM 10: Amend BCO 36-5 to conform the language to BCO 37-3 regarding suspension from office

(strikethrough for deletions, underlining for additions)

[Overture 16 was answered in the affirmative as amended by the Overtures Committee.]

Whereas, you, ___________________ (here describe the person as a teaching elder, ruling elder, deacon, or private member of the church) are convicted by sufficient proof (or are guilty by your own confession) of the sin of ___________________ (here insert the offense), we the ___________________ (Presbytery (or Church Session) in the name and by the authority of the Lord Jesus Christ, do now declare you suspended from the Sacraments of the Church (and/or from the exercise of your office), until you give satisfactory evidence of repentance.

ITEM 11: Amend BCO 36-8 and 42-2 to provide for elevation of a censure without an entirely new trial

(strikethrough for deletions, underlining for additions)

[Overture 32 was answered in the affirmative as amended by the Overtures Committee.]

36-8.    When members of a court wish to consider the elevation of an indefinite suspension, whether from office or from the Sacraments (BCO 36-5) to the censure of deposition or excommunication respectively, it shall not be required to initiate process de novo according to BCO 31-2 or BCO 32-2. The indefinitely suspended person is not in good standing and has already been found impenitent, resulting in indefinite suspension (BCO 30-3). However, the indefinitely suspended person has a right to a hearing in the matter. The court supervising the indefinite suspension may consider a motion to find him “incorrigible and contumacious” (cf. BCO 30-4) and present evidence to that effect. The court shall give at least thirty (30) days’ notice of such a motion to the indefinitely suspended person and permit him the privilege of the floor to plead and give evidence of his repentance before the court having jurisdiction (BCO 33-1, 34-1) and not any trial commission. The court, upon completing its hearing, shall vote to determine whether or not to elevate the indefinite suspension to deposition or excommunication. A person whose suspension is so elevated has the right of Appeal (BCO 42-2).

42-2. The only parties entitled to an appeal are those who have submitted to a regular trial, those appealing a censure in a BCO 38-1 case without process, those appealing the elevation of a censure under BCO 36-8, and those appealing a BCO 34-10 divestiture without censure.

ITEM 12: Amend BCO 41-3 to allow supplemental judges for a Session trial

(strikethrough for deletions, underlining for additions)

[Overture 8 was answered in the affirmative.]

41-3.    In making a reference the lower court may ask for advice only, or for final disposition of the matter referred; and in particular it may refer a judicial case with a request for its trial and decision by the higher court.:

1. That the higher court take original jurisdiction of the case, its trial, judgment, and whatever censure it deems warranted; or
2. That the higher court provide additional teaching and/or ruling elders to serve with the lower court in a judicial case, as may seem prudent to the lower court, which additional elders, during their term of service on the case, shall have all the rights and responsibilities of judges in the lower court, subject to the rights of the parties under BCO 32-16.

ITEM 13: Amend BCO 57-2 regarding the examination of young persons for admission to the sealing ordinances

(strikethrough for deletions, underlining for additions)

[Overture 33 was answered in the affirmative.]

57-2.    The time when young persons come to understand the Gospel cannot be precisely fixed. This must be left to the prudence of the Session, whose office it is to judge, after careful examination, the qualifications of those who apply for admission to sealing ordinances. The examination shall include an evaluation of the young person’s credible profession of faith, the young person’s understanding of the meaning of the Lord’s Supper, and the young person’s understanding of the questions in BCO 57-5.