憲章下載:
![](http://www.weebly.com/weebly/images/file_icons/pdf.png)
constitution_rpcna.pdf | |
File Size: | 1150 kb |
File Type: |
目錄 Content
A-威斯敏斯特信仰告白與改革宗長老教會見證
The Westminster Confession of Faith and the Reformed Presbyterian Testimony
B-大要理問答 B-1
The Larger Catechism B-1
C-小要理問答 C-1
The Shorter Catechism C-1
D-教會治理法規
Directory for Church Government
E-教會紀律手冊
The Book of Discipline
F-公共崇拜規範
The Directory of Public Worship
G-起誓G-1
Vows
H-建議表格.H-1
Suggested Forms
I-憲章的歷史
History of the Standards
1871 年的盟約
The Covenant of 1871
索引 J-1
Index
The Westminster Confession of Faith and the Reformed Presbyterian Testimony
B-大要理問答 B-1
The Larger Catechism B-1
C-小要理問答 C-1
The Shorter Catechism C-1
D-教會治理法規
Directory for Church Government
E-教會紀律手冊
The Book of Discipline
F-公共崇拜規範
The Directory of Public Worship
G-起誓G-1
Vows
H-建議表格.H-1
Suggested Forms
I-憲章的歷史
History of the Standards
1871 年的盟約
The Covenant of 1871
索引 J-1
Index
D-教會治理法规
Directory for Church Government
簡介 D1
第一章:教會領聖餐成員 The Communicant Membership of the Church............................................. D1
第二章:教會 The Congregation.................................................................................................................. D4
第三章:教會承受職分者 The Officers of the Church.................................................................................D6
1-長老:治理長老 Elders: Ruling Elders..............................................................................................D6
A-資格 Qualifications
B-職責 Duties
C-特權 Privileges
D-選舉程序 Procedure for Election
E-考試、按立,和設立的程序 Procedure for Examination, Ordination and Installation
2-長老:教導長老 (牧師)Elders: Teaching Elder.........................................................................D12
A-資格 Qualifications
B-職責 Duties
C-準備工作
1-初始步驟
2-講道資格(取得執照的第一部)Eligibility to Preach (First Step for Licensure)
3-被呼召的資格 (取得執照的最後一步)Eligibility for a Call (Final Step for Licensure)
第四章 堂會 The Session ..............................................................................................................................D28
第五章 執事會 The Board of Deacons.........................................................................................................D30
第六章 區會 The Presbytery..........................................................................................................................D31
第七章 組織新教會 Organizing New Congregation....................................................................................D34
第八章 總會 The Synod..................................................................................................................................D38
第九章 總會的議事規則 Rules of Order for a Meeting of Synod..............................................................D42
第一章:教會領聖餐成員 The Communicant Membership of the Church............................................. D1
第二章:教會 The Congregation.................................................................................................................. D4
第三章:教會承受職分者 The Officers of the Church.................................................................................D6
1-長老:治理長老 Elders: Ruling Elders..............................................................................................D6
A-資格 Qualifications
B-職責 Duties
C-特權 Privileges
D-選舉程序 Procedure for Election
E-考試、按立,和設立的程序 Procedure for Examination, Ordination and Installation
2-長老:教導長老 (牧師)Elders: Teaching Elder.........................................................................D12
A-資格 Qualifications
B-職責 Duties
C-準備工作
1-初始步驟
2-講道資格(取得執照的第一部)Eligibility to Preach (First Step for Licensure)
3-被呼召的資格 (取得執照的最後一步)Eligibility for a Call (Final Step for Licensure)
第四章 堂會 The Session ..............................................................................................................................D28
第五章 執事會 The Board of Deacons.........................................................................................................D30
第六章 區會 The Presbytery..........................................................................................................................D31
第七章 組織新教會 Organizing New Congregation....................................................................................D34
第八章 總會 The Synod..................................................................................................................................D38
第九章 總會的議事規則 Rules of Order for a Meeting of Synod..............................................................D42
INTRODUCTION
The purpose of the Directory is to provide the Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America definitions and procedures to implement the doctrinal statements concerning the nature of the church and its government, as they have been stated in the Westminster Confession of Faith and the Testimony of the Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America. For the purposes of this Directory, “fundamental law” refers to the Westminster Confession and Catechisms and the Reformed Presbyterian Testimony. The “law and order of the church” refers to the Directory for Church Government, the Book of Discipline and the Directory for Worship together with the actions of the Synod. These definitions and procedures as set down in this Directory are to be received as official statements declaring the law and order of the church. The Directory may be amended by any given Synod by a two-thirds majority vote. If, however, Synod considers that the item before it should have the consideration and discussion of the sessions, it can by a simple majority vote decide to use the procedure of sending proposed amendments down in overture; however, any such amendments must be adopted by a two-thirds vote of the Synod before they can be sent down in overture to the sessions. The same amend- ment process shall be followed for The Book of Discipline and The Directory of Public Worship. CHAPTER 1 The Communicant Membership of the Church 1. Any person capable of forming moral judgments and of making decisions for himself may be received into communicant membership in the Reformed Presbyterian Church, upon credible profession of faith, baptism, and acceptance of the Covenant of Church Membership. Communicant members have an obligation to present their children for baptism and to do all in their power to rear their children so that they will seek communicant membership in the church. 【D-1】 2. In a regularly organized congregation it belongs to the session alone to admit to membership in the church. In extraordinary circumstances, such as the organization of a new congregation, presbytery may assume this function or delegate it to a temporary governing body. In the early stages of work in a foreign mission field, special powers may be exercised by the missionaries in this regard until such time as a congregation with a regular session can be organized.
3. Classes should be conducted, under the oversight of the session, for bap- tized children as well as for prospective members for their instruction in the principles of truth maintained by the Church with a view to preparing them to be communicant members. 4. Candidates for communicant membership shall be examined by the session in constituted court. The examination shall seek to bring out the degree of the candidate’s knowledge of Divine truth, his personal sense of sin and need of salvation and his knowledge of and willing acceptance of the Covenant of Church Membership including the distinctive principles of the Reformed Presbyterian Church. The degree of knowledge necessary for admission depends, to a considerable extent, upon the capacity of the candidate and the opportunities which he has had for acquiring such knowledge. Children should be encouraged to memorize the Shorter Catechism and urged to read and study the Testimony and Confession of Faith as they come to years of fuller understanding. No one should be admitted who is ignorant of the plan of sal- vation, or who gives no credible evidence of having been born again, or who assumes an attitude antagonistic to the principles set forth in the standards of the Church. 5. When the candidates have given assent to the Covenant of Church Membership and when their examination has been sustained, they shall, if they have been baptized, be declared in communicant membership and may sign the Covenant of Church Membership. After prayer on their behalf, the members of the session shall welcome them by extending the right hand of fellowship. 6. Where there is no definite knowledge that a candidate has been baptized in a true church as defined by Synod (chap. 25 of the Westminster Confession of Faith and the Testimony of the Reformed Presbyterian Church), this sacrament shall be administered. 7. The new members should be publicly recognized. This may be done by having them stand before the congregation to give public assent to the Covenant of Church Membership. The congregation may be asked to join in giving assent to the Covenant. This question shall be addressed to the congregation: “Do you, 【D-2】 the members of this congregation, welcome into your fellowship these who have now professed their faith in Christ, and have been received by your session;
and do you promise to help and encourage them in the Christian life?” The con- gregation should respond, “We do.” A few words of counsel may be given to the new members and prayer offered in their behalf. 8. Members should willingly consecrate their talents and gifts to the service of Christ. They should prayerfully consider accepting a position in the church when called to do so. 9. A member of any congregation of any Reformed Presbyterian Church, in this or other lands, may be received into communicant membership of any congregation of the church, upon presentation of a certificate from the session of his congregation. An applicant from another denomination shall satisfy the session of his acceptance of the basic truths of the historic Christian faith and of the Covenant of Church Membership. Certificates shall be valid for one year only from the date of issue, unless reasons can be shown for the delay in presenting them. If a certificate states exceptions, or grounds of censure, the applicant shall give full satisfaction to the session before being admitted. 10. Neglect of the ordinances should be a matter of church discipline; but where a member has, for a period of one year failed to attend, to contribute, or to give any other evidence of interest and cannot be contacted, he may be removed from the roll of communicant membership. The session officially shall attempt to notify him of that action. He may be restored to communicant membership when he has given credible evidence of adherence to the Cov- enant of Church Membership. 11. A member of the Church moving from one congregation to another congre- gation in the denomination shall be given a certificate of transfer of membership at his request. Notice shall also be given to the session of the congregation to which he desires transfer. A person leaving the membership of the Reformed Presbyterian Church shall also be given a certificate of transfer of membership including any qualifications the session has in its records. 12. If a member becomes a member of another denomination without a regular dismissal, the session shall record the fact and remove his name from the roll. If charges are pending against him these charges may be prosecuted. 13. A member certified to another congregation of the denomination is under the jurisdiction of the session issuing his certificate of membership until he has been received by the session to which he has been certified, but shall not be entitled to vote or hold office. A certificate of transfer of membership becomes effective immediately. A person restored to membership in a congregation by the return of a certificate of transfer to the session which issued it, is not entitled 【D-3】 to exercise the functions of any office previously held. He may, however, be re-elected to the same.
14. Presbytery may establish a temporary roll of membership. Such a roll may be used for a mission church or may authorize the temporary governing body to receive members on such a roll. It may also be used when a congregation becomes disorganized. It is to be considered a temporary roll. In the case of disorganization, those placed on the rolls of presbytery should become mem- bers of another congregation within one year. Diligent effort should be made to retain members in the Reformed Presbyterian Church. CHAPTER 2 The Congregation 1. A congregation is organized on the basis of the standards of the Reformed Presbyterian Church and in conformity with its law and order. A fully organized congregation is made up of a group of members with a session of elders for the oversight of the congregation and a board of deacons responsible chiefly for the ministry of mercy and stewardship. The teaching elder/pastor is a member of the congregation and his ministerial credentials are held by the presbytery. Presbyteries are directed to exercise due care and diligence to see that both sessions and boards of deacons are duly chosen, ordained and established in every congregation under their care. All ordained officers shall be chosen by vote of the congregation, and every communicant member shall have an equal voice in such choice. 2. Children of communicant members of the Church, in consequence of their covenant relationship, shall receive baptism, pastoral care and instruction, and are baptized members of the Church, but are not to be admitted to the Lord’s Supper until they have reached years of understanding and have voluntarily professed their faith in Christ and assumed for themselves the vows and ob- ligations of the Covenant of Church Membership. Baptized members have no vote in the congregational meetings. 3. Persons, not members of the congregation, who regularly attend the services, participate in the worship, and contribute to the support are known as adherents. They have no vote in the congregational meetings. 4. In many states or provinces, congregations are required to have a Board of Trustees in whom the title of the church property is vested and who rep- resent the congregation in all legal matters. The Board shall be elected from the membership of the congregation and shall have no duties beyond those necessary to fulfill the legal requirements. For efficiency in handling its affairs, the membership and officers of the Board of Trustees may be identical with or chosen from the Board of Deacons. D-4 5. The session shall have general oversight and review of all organizations within the congregation. These may include a Sabbath school for study based on the Scriptures; a mid-week meeting; missionary and young people’s societies, and other fellowship groups. There may be other organizations, as desired, provided they promote the principles, practices and ministries of the Church. 6. Every congregation is under special obligation to give religious instruction to the youth, to seek the salvation of the lost, and to declare the whole Gospel to all within its reach. A congregation has certain other responsibilities among which are: To elect its own elders and deacons; to transact its business; to require reports from its organizations, officers and committees; to petition the courts of the church for any action it may desire; to appeal from decisions of the lower courts to the higher; to maintain the ordinances of public worship; to provide a suitable place of worship and equipment to carry on its activities; to be obe- dient in the Lord to the law and order of the Church, with care to maintain a godly fellowship in love and loyalty and support to all its members and to the denomination. 7. An annual meeting of the congregation shall be held to hear reports and transact business. Special meetings may be called by the session either on its own volition, or at the written request of the board of deacons, or by petition of the congregation, if the purpose(s) be of sufficient importance and in accordance with the law and order of the Church. The purpose(s) of such meeting shall be stated in the notice, and no other business shall be transacted. Notice of all congregational meetings shall be given at the public services on two preceding Lord’s Days. If the congregation has no public meeting, ten days’ notice by mail or other suitable means of communication shall be sufficient. 8. All congregational meetings shall be under the supervision of the session, either directly leading the meeting or overseeing the election of congregational officers to lead the meeting. The congregational meetings shall be governed according to the common rules as applied in ecclesiastical assemblies. The clerk of session or a congregational secretary shall record all proceedings in the minutes. Unless otherwise specified in the charter, one-fourth of the active resident communicant membership shall constitute a quorum for the transac- tion of ordinary business, but no business vitally affecting the welfare of the congregation should be transacted without the presence of at least one-half the active resident communicant membership. Meetings for the election of a teaching elder, ruling elders or deacons shall be under the supervision of the session in constituted court and presided over by its moderator. 9. A congregation becomes disorganized when the session is reduced to less than two resident elders. Two elders will suffice to hold the organization. The presbytery may enable the congregation to continue its existence by appointing an elder(s) from a neighboring congregation to act with the remaining resident elder as a provisional session until such time as a new elder(s) may be elected. 【D-5】 An alternative procedure is to reduce the congregation to a preaching station under the immediate supervision of presbytery. 10. Two congregations may agree to unite by a two-thirds majority vote in each congregation and with the sanction of presbytery. The plan of union shall provide for adjustment of the pastorates, of the sessions and boards of deacons, and of other congregational organizations. This plan shall be adopted by each congregation before being made effective by presbytery. 11. The congregation, or its boards, holds the property of the congregation in trust for the Synod and cannot divert it from the use to which it was originally intended. The property is in law a trust which the civil courts will protect. If a congregation wishes to change the location of its place of worship, it shall first secure the approval of presbytery both as to removal and as to the new location. A particular congregation shall not sell or mortgage property without the written permission of the presbytery transmitted through the session of the congregation. When a presbytery determines that a congregation is disorga- nized, title to all properties held by or for the congregation shall immediately be transferred to Synod’s Board of Trustees who shall determine with the counsel of the appropriate presbytery the disposition of such properties and/ or proceeds of the same. Distribution of assets or expenditures beyond the normal course of operation may not be made in anticipation of disorganiza- tion without prior approval of the presbytery and the Trustees of Synod. (For policies and procedures, see 1972 Minutes of Synod, pages 13, 150-152.) CHAPTER 3 The Officers of the Church The Scriptures indicate no separation of office as regards the ruling and teach- ing that is to be carried on in Christ’s church. According to their qualifications and circumstances elders will exhibit gifts that enable them to discern and meet the needs of the flock through oversight (ruling) and exhortation. Among them will be those more qualified to engage in the study and public proclamation of the Scriptures. This distinction of function warrants the continuance of the popular titles of “ruling elder” and “teaching elder” when understood as stated above. The office of deacon was given by the Holy Spirit to the New Testament church to assist the church in the fulfillment of its ministry. I. ELDERS: RULING ELDERS A. Qualifications Those eligible to be called as ruling elders must: 1. Be male communicant members in good standing of the Reformed Pres- byterian Church. D-6 2. Evidence the standards of character and conduct consistent with those set forth in 1 Timothy 3:1-7; in Titus 1:5-9; and 1 Peter 5:1-3.
3. Be knowledgeable and committed to the subordinate doctrinal standards of the denomination as being consistent with the Scriptures. B. Duties The duties of ruling elders include:
C. Privileges The privileges of ruling elders include:
D-7 a. Occasional ministry of the Word in the congregation at the request of the session or at the request of another court.
b. Occasional ministry of the Word within the denomination where spe- cifically requested by another court. c. Occasional pronouncing of God’s benediction upon His people. 5. A ruling elder may qualify for more regular occasional preaching of the Word and pronouncing the benediction at the appointment of his session or another court of the church by satisfying the presbytery of his readiness for this ministry by being examined in personal godliness, Bible Knowledge, sys- tematic theology, and the preaching of an expository sermon. (See Eligibility to Preach, IIc2e). 6. Under extraordinary circumstances, to administer the sacraments when specifically appointed to do so on a given occasion by the presbytery. 7. Appointment, in special circumstances by presbytery, to serve as a provi- sional elder of another session. D. Procedure for Election 1. Authorization An election of ruling elders may be authorized as follows: a. The initiative for an election of elders must include one or more of the following: (1) An appeal from the congregation to the session to increase the number of elders. (2) A judgment of the session that there are qualified men in the con- gregation and that an increase in the number of elders is needed. (3) A directive by presbytery for a session to hold an election under extraordinary circumstances. b. An election for elders is to be conducted by the session at a specially called meeting of the congregation. 2. Calling a Meeting The procedure to call a meeting will be: a. The session shall issue an edict setting the date, time and place for an election. b. Eight days’ notice of the meeting shall be given publicly to the con- gregation by reading of the edict at the worship services on the two preceding Lord’s Days. c. If the congregation has no public meeting, ten days’ notice by mail or phone to all members who can be reached shall be sufficient. D-8 3. Order of Meeting
The order of the meeting shall be as follows: a. The congregation having been called together for the election, the session shall be constituted by the moderator or presbytery’s appointee. b. The session shall have a complete list of all communicant members of the congregation in good standing from which a quorum is to be deter- mined (one-half of the active communicant resident members). A quorum is necessary for each ballot. c. Inquiry by the moderator if the congregation still desires to proceed with the election. d. The final reading of the edict. e. Worship, with a sermon, shall be conducted under the direction of the session. f. The election shall be conducted. g. The court shall be adjourned with prayer. 4. Balloting The election shall be conducted as follows: a. The session may indicate their judgment as to the number of positions to be filled by the election. Such judgment shall be based on the needs of the congregation and the evidence of spiritual maturity of potential candidates. b. Session may submit a list of nominations. c. If the session has indicated its desire for a certain number of elders, its list of nominees shall not contain less than that number. d. Nominations may also be made by a communicant member of the congregation present. e. The election may also proceed without nominations. f. Even when nominations have been made, votes may be cast for any qualified candidate. g. Voting shall be by ballot with the session taking due precaution to ensure the integrity of the vote. h. When the number to be elected is determined, the number of names per ballot is not to exceed the announced number to be elected. i. Communicant members unable to attend the meeting may send their votes in writing (also known as absentee votes), enclosed in sealed enve- lopes which bear their names and are addressed to the session. Absentee votes are valid only on the first electing ballot. j. The use of a nominating ballot is not encouraged; if it is used, absentee votes are valid only on the first electing ballot. Absentee votes will not be used on a nominating ballot. k. Only those receiving at least two-thirds of the votes cast shall be de- clared elders-elect. Blank ballots shall not be counted in determining the total number of votes cast. A ballot marked “No,” indicating that the person desires not to vote for any candidate, should be counted in determining the total number of votes cast. l. If a two-thirds vote has not been reached after three ballots, the mod- erator, in consultation with the session, may postpone the election. D-9 m. Two tellers shall be appointed by the moderator to collect the ballots and tabulate the results of the election and report to the moderator.
E. Procedure for Examination, Ordination and Installation 1. Examination The examination of an elder-elect shall proceed as follows: a. The elder-elect shall notify the session, preferably within two weeks, regarding his intention to accept or decline the call of the congregation. b. If the elder-elect indicates his desire to accept the call, the session shall meet in constituted court to examine him with respect to his qualifications as stated above in section I.A. c. The elder-elect shall be examined in his soundness in the faith and commitment to the Testimony of the Reformed Presbyterian Church. d. If the session shall judge any elder-elect unfit for the office, it shall not proceed with his ordination and/or installation. e. Ordination will not be required if: (1) An elder-elect holds ordination in the denomination as an elder. (2) An elder-elect is certified as having been ordained to an equivalent office in another true branch of the visible church and has met our denominational conditions to be a ruling elder. f. Public ordination and/or installation to the session will be required of all elders-elect who have declared their desire to serve and have been examined and approved by the session. 2. Authorization The session shall authorize the ordination and/or installation in the following manner: a. The session shall set the time, date and place for the ordination and installation of qualified elders-elect. (Any objections by the congregation shall be presented to the session in writing prior to the called meeting. Session shall act on the objection prior to the called meeting.) b. Notice of the date, time, location, and names of the elder(s)-elect shall be given by the installing session to all sessions within the presbytery. 3. Calling a Meeting To call a meeting for ordination and/or installation: a. An edict shall be prepared by the session. b. The edict shall be read eight days prior to the congregational meeting at the worship services on the two preceding Lord’s Days. c. If the congregation has no public meeting, ten days’ notice by mail or phone to all members who can be reached shall be sufficient. 4. Order of Meeting The order of the meeting shall be as follows: a. The session shall be constituted by the moderator or presbytery’s appointee, and the privileges of the floor shall be extended to all elders of the denomination present. D-10 b. A quorum of one-half of the active resident communicant membership shall be confirmed.
c. The edict shall be read for the final time. d. Worship, with a sermon, shall be conducted under the direction of the session. e. An appointed elder shall narrate the previous steps leading up to the ordination and/or installation. f. An appointed elder shall ask the appropriate Queries for Ordination of the candidates and elicit an affirmative response. g. Candidates shall publicly sign the Queries for Ordination. h. In the case of ordination and installation the candidate shall kneel for prayer and all elders present shall be invited to join in the laying on of hands. i. In the case of installation only an installation prayer shall be offered. j. An elder shall offer the prayer of ordination and/or installation in the name and by the authority of Jesus Christ. k. The elders shall extend the right hand of fellowship receiving the newly installed elder(s). l. Special charges to the newly installed elder(s) and to the congregation should be given at the discretion of the session. m. The session shall adjourn and close the meeting with prayer and the benediction. n. Opportunity shall be given to the congregation and friends to greet the newly installed elder(s). 5. Cessation of Service on a Session A ruling elder’s service may cease under the following circumstances: a. An elder may request the session to accept his resignation from ses- sional responsibilities within the congregation. Conferring the title of ‘emeritus’ in cases of long, faithful service should be considered. b. An elder whose resignation has been accepted must be re-elected in order to serve again in that office. c. An elder no longer serving regularly on the session to which he was installed for reasons of distance, health, or other justifiable reasons may be relieved of his duties; his session shall move with care to relieve him of the official exercise of his office and declare his status to be inactive (i.e. non-voting). In cases of suspension, see Book of Discipline. d. An elder or his session may arrange for a sabbatical leave of absence, normally up to one year, during which time he shall be on inactive status. e. A congregation may arrange for rotation of elders, subject to the ap- proval of its session and presbytery. f. An elder granted an inactive status may be reinstated to active service at the discretion of the session. g. An elder ceases to serve on a session when he has moved his com- municant membership into the jurisdiction of another session. D-11 6. Removal from Office A ruling elder may be removed from office. The following principles shall apply to this procedure: a. An elder can be divested of his ordination only by deposition at the hands of his session or presbytery. b. The session shall notify the presbytery whenever it intends to initiate deposition procedures by forwarding a copy of the charges. c. In extraordinary cases the presbytery may also originate jurisdiction if it concludes that a particular session has been unable to exercise proper discipline over the elder in question. d. No elder shall be suspended or deposed except after a fair trial. e. Procedure for judicial process is set forth in the Book of Discipline. 7. Cessation of Ordination The continuing privileges and responsibilities of ordination would cease if: a. An elder is deposed from his ordination by judicial action of a church court. b. An elder’s request that his ordination be terminated is granted by a church court after careful consideration. II. ELDERS: TEACHING ELDERS The official proclamation of the Word and administration of the sacraments in the congregation shall be entrusted in ordinary circumstances to the one who has been trained to exercise his teaching gifts. Those displaying the gift for the teaching ministry shall be encouraged to undertake sufficient academic prepa- ration and present themselves for public examination by presbytery in order to devote themselves to live in obedience to Christ and His Word in full-time ministerial service with all the privileges and duties this involves. The elder who publicly teaches exercises a broader responsibility but has no higher authority than any other elder. While all the elders have pastoral responsibilities, common practice warrants the use of the title “pastor” for those who are called as teaching elders of congregations. Congregations whose size and/or work require additional teaching elders (associate pastors) will follow the same procedure. In the case of the departure of a pastor from a congregation having more than one pastor, there is no requirement for an existing associate pastor to receive a new call in order for his role to be changed. Presbytery has already established him as a teaching elder in the congregation. For the sake of clarity and peace, a two-thirds majority vote of the congregation is required for any existing pastor of the congregation to assume the role of the departing pastor. There is then no need to declare the pulpit vacant. It is prudent that the Ses- sion carefully lead a congregation in these matters for unity’s sake. All teaching elders serving whose active duty is in the Armed Forces of Canada or the United States Chaplain Corps and who have been approved by presbytery shall be considered as missionaries employed by their presbyteries D-12 presbyteries shall have oversight and require reports of their activities. (See 1985 Minutes of Synod, page 91).
A. Qualifications Along with those qualifications specified in Section I.A., those eligible to be called as teaching elders must display the Spirit’s call and gifts to study diligently and proclaim publicly the Word of God (1 Timothy 5:17). B. Duties Along with duties specified in Section I.B., the duties of a teaching elder include:
C. Preparation 1. Initial Steps To become a teaching elder the following steps must be taken: a. He must present himself to his session as one desiring to prepare himself to become a teaching elder. b. If the session supports his intentions they shall request presbytery to take him under care. c. In ordinary cases he shall complete a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent before undertaking specific theological education. d. Upon completion of his collegiate degree or its equivalent and his reception by presbytery as a student of theology, he shall be expected to complete the course of seminary instruction required by his presbytery leading to a Master of Divinity or its equivalent. e. Under ordinary circumstances he shall be expected to attend at least one full year in a Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary. f. At the end of his first year he shall give evidence to his presbytery that he will continue training to become a teaching elder. (A sermon may be requested of him by his presbytery at this point.) g. After favorable evaluation of the evidence presented by the student under care and reception of a favorable report from the seminary, he shall be certified by presbytery to further his seminary training. D-13 h. The student may be invited to preach only under the direct supervi- sion of a session until he is certified as being eligible to preach.
i. Licensure by presbytery shall consist of two steps: Eligibility to Preach and Eligibility for a Call. 2. Eligibility to Preach (First Step for Licensure) To become eligible to preach a student shall follow this procedure: a. A student shall become eligible for certification to preach any time after his first year. b. The student shall request the seminary to forward to his presbytery an evaluation of his qualifications for ministry and statement of his academic standing. c. The candidate shall be examined by his presbytery in constituted court in the following areas: (1) Personal godliness (2) Bible Knowledge (3) Systematic Theology and Distinctive Principles (4) The preaching of an expository sermon (5) The presentation of a paper on church history (Presbytery is responsible to make these assignments which may correspond to assignments fulfilled in seminary.) d. Following each area of examination, delegates may make comments and/or state reasons when appropriate for the way he will vote. Com- ments are to be considered individual reflections or judgments, not the settled conclusions of the court. A roll call vote should be taken. e. Ifthediscourseandexaminationsaresustainedbyatwo-thirdsvote,an appointed elder shall ask the appropriate Queries for Certification to Preach. f. Presbytery should vote by roll call when deemed appropriate whether to certify him a Candidate to Preach. g. If the candidate is approved by a two-thirds vote he shall sign the appropriate Queries for Certification. h. An appointed elder shall offer prayer officially certifying the candidate in the name of Christ, the King and Head of the Church. i. An appointed elder shall address the candidate with words of counsel as to his duties and the limitations which are as follows: (1) He may not administer the sacraments. (2) He may not perform marriages. (3) He may not pronounce the benediction. j. Presbytery shall adjourn the meeting with prayer and benediction. k. The candidate shall be given a certificate of eligibility to preach. l. He remains under the care of his presbytery and the jurisdiction of his session. m. Certification ordinarily shall be for a term of five years and may be renewed at the discretion of presbytery. 3. Eligibility for a Call (Final Step for Licensure) To become eligible for a call a student shall follow this procedure: D-14 a. A student shall be eligible for certification to receive a call at the end of his second year.
b. The student shall request of the seminary to forward to his presbytery an evaluation of his qualifications for ministry and a statement of his academic standing. c. The candidate shall be examined by his presbytery in constituted ses- sion in the following areas: (1) Evidence of pastoral and evangelistic gifts (2) Systematic Theology and Distinctive Principles (3) Church History (4) The preaching of an expository sermon on an assigned topic 5) The presentation of an exegesis paper (Presbytery is responsible to make these assignments which may correspond to assignments fulfilled in seminary.) d. Following each area of examination, delegates may make comments and/or state reasons when appropriate for the way he will vote. Com- ments are to be considered individual reflections or judgments, not the settled conclusions of the court. A roll call vote should be taken. e. If the discourse and examinations are sustained by a two-thirds vote, an appointed elder shall ask the appropriate Queries for Certification to Receive a Call. f. Presbytery should vote by roll call when deemed appropriate whether to certify him a Candidate to Receive a Call. This certification must be made by a two-thirds vote. g. If the candidate is approved by a two-thirds vote he shall sign the appropriate queries. h. An appointed elder shall offerprayer officially certifying the candidate as being eligible for a call in the name of Christ, the King and Head of the Church. i. An appointed elder shall address the candidate with words of counsel as to his duties and the limitations which are as follows: (1) He may not administer the sacraments. (2) He may not perform marriages. (3) He may not pronounce the benediction. j. Presbytery shall adjourn the meeting with prayer and benediction. k. The candidate shallbe given a Certificate of Licensure. l. He remains under the care of his presbytery and the jurisdiction of his session. m. Certification ordinarily shall be for a term of five years and may be renewed at the discretion of presbytery. D. Procedure for Election 1. Authorization The election of a teaching elder may be authorized as follows: a. The initiative for an election of a teaching elder must include one or more of the following: D-15 |
簡介
這份名錄的目的是提供北美改革宗長老會的定義和程序,以實施有關教會及其治理性質的教義聲明,正如《威斯敏斯特信仰告白》和北美改革宗長老會的見證中所述的那樣。 就本指南而言,「基本法」是指《威斯敏斯特信條》和《教義問答》以及改革宗長老會證言。 「教會的法律與秩序」是指《教會管理指南》、《紀律手冊》和《敬拜指南》以及主教會議的行為。 本規範中所規定的這些定義和程序將作為宣告教會法律和秩序的官方聲明而被接收。 任何特定會議均可透過三分之二多數票對名錄進行修訂。 然而,如果大會認為其面前的項目應在會議上審議和討論,則可以通過簡單多數票決定使用提議修正案的程序; 然而,任何此類修正案都必須得到大會三分之二的投票通過,然後才能提交給堂會。 《紀律手冊》和《公共禮拜指南》應遵循相同的修訂程序。 第1章 領餐會員資格 1、每一個能夠作出道德判斷,並自己能作決定的人,經過確實可 靠的信仰表白、受過洗禮以及接受教會領餐會員誓約之後,改革宗長 老會都可以接納他為領餐會員。領餐會員有責任讓兒女受洗,並且有 義務盡一切的能力,教養兒女好使他們將來也在教會中,成為具備領 餐資格的會員。 【D-1】 2、在一個以常規組織的堂會中,接納信徒成為會員的職權單單屬 於堂議會。在某些特殊情況下,例如組成新堂會,接納會員的職權可 以由區會負責,或者區會也可以將之託付給一個臨時治理機構。在國 外宣教的初期,常規的堂會尚未成立之前,宣教士在這方面可以行使 一些特殊的職權。
3.應在堂議會的監督下,為受過洗的孩子和將要成為會員的信 徒開設課程,將教會所持守的真理原則教導他們,好預備他們成為領餐會員。 4、領餐會員候備人選,應由堂議會組成的議會審查考核。考核的方式和內容應盡量顯出候備人選對真理認識的深度、內心對罪的恨惡、對救贖需要的迫切以及他對教會領餐會員誓約的認識和接受的意願(包括教會領餐會員誓約中改革宗長老教會獨有的原則)。一個候備 人選蒙接納所需具備的知識,在相當程度上,取決於候選人的能力以 及他以前學習這些知識的機會。我們應該鼓勵孩子們背誦小要理問 答,當他們逐漸長大到了能充分理解的年齡,要敦促他們閱讀和學習 領餐會員誓約、改革宗長老會信仰宣言和威斯敏斯德信條。對神的救 贖一無所知的人、沒有絲毫外在可見的證據顯示出是已經重生的人、 對教會已經設定的準則採取對抗態度的人,都不得接納為領餐會員。 5.當候備人選同意了教會領餐會員誓約、也通過了審查考核,如 果他們已經受洗,就應當宣告他們具備了領餐的資格,並且簽署教會 領餐會員誓約。在為他們代禱之後,堂會的成員要行右手相交之禮接 納他們。 6、在無法確認候備人選是否在總會認定的真教會(參見威斯敏斯 德信條和改革宗長老會信仰宣言第 25 章)中已經接受洗禮的情況下, 應當為他施洗。 7.對新會員應公開接納,接納的方式可以讓他們站在會眾前公 開表示對教會領餐會員誓約的認同。在新會員加入教會為會員的程序 中,可以邀請堂會成員一同參與。在參與的程序中,要問堂會成員: 「弟兄姊妹們,對這些已經公開表明自己信仰基督、也為教會接納的人,你們是否願意接納他們並與他們交通?並且你們是否願意幫助、 鼓勵他們過基督徒生活?」堂會成員應應聲回答:「我們願意」。 之後可以給新會員一些勸勉的話,並為他們代禱。 【D-2】 8.會員應該樂意奉獻他們的才能和恩賜服事基督。當蒙召承擔教 會中的職分時,他們應當以禱告的心來考慮是否應召。 9.只要是改革宗長老教會的會員,不論來自哪個堂會、哪個國家, 只要提出其堂議會的證明書,任何堂會都當接納成為領餐會員。來自其它系統的人若要申請具備領聖餐的資格,堂議會需要審查、證實申 請人的信仰,是否符合歷史上基督信仰的基要真理,並且也接受教會 領餐會員誓約。證明書自簽發之日只在一年內有效,除非可以提出延 遲出示證明書的理由。若證明書中列有懲戒的記錄和原因等異常情 況,申請人就要給堂議會充分滿意的說明才能予以接納。 10、儘管疏忽教會條令是一個教會紀律問題,但如果會員已有一年時間未能參加教會崇拜,也沒有奉獻,也不能給出其它證據顯示對教會的關心,並且也無法聯繫到,就可以將其從領餐會員名冊上除名。堂議會要盡可能正式將這項決議告知他本人。如果他提出可信的 證據,證明他仍然對教會領餐會員誓約忠誠,可以恢復領餐會員的身 份。 11、本系統教會的會員,從一個堂會轉移到另一堂會時,應按其 請求給予會員轉移證明書。同時也應該通知他想要轉移到的堂會的堂 議會。一個要放棄改革宗長老教會會員身分的人,也應給予其轉會證明 書,包括他在堂議會記錄中的相關資料。 12.如果會員沒有經過常規的解除程序就成了另一系統的成員, 堂議會必須記錄此事,並將他從會員名冊上除名。如果有對他懸而未決的指控,也可以對這些指控追究。 13.本系統教會的會員轉移會籍時,在轉入堂會的堂議會審查期間,其管轄權仍隸屬原堂議會,直等到會籍為轉入堂會的堂議會接納為止;在此期間他沒有權利投票,也不得擔任職分。轉會證明書一旦 開出立即生效。如果一個堂議會為某會員出具的轉會證明書被退還 了,此人就恢復了在原堂會中的會員身份,他先前所擔任的職分並不 恢復。然而,他可以經過重新選舉,再次擔任同樣的職分。 【D-3】 14. 區會可設立臨時會員名冊。 這樣的名冊可以用於「宣教教會」 (mission church),或是以授權「臨時管理團」(TGB)接納此名冊上的成員; 也可以在教會被解組(disorganized) 時使用它,被視為臨時名冊。 在被解組的情況下,那些被列入區會名冊的人,應該在一年內成為另一個教會的成員。 應努力留住改革宗長老教會的成員。 第2章 堂會 The Congregation 1.堂會是建立在改革宗長老教會準則的基礎上,並遵從本系統的教 會法。一個健全組成的堂會包含一群會員、由眾長老組成負責監 督堂會的堂議會,以及一個負責憐憫和管家事工的執事會。教導長老 (牧師)是堂會的成員,他所服事的資格證書由區會頒發。區會的責任 是盡心關懷各堂會,確保在其照顧下每一個堂會的堂議會和執事會都 能妥當地選舉、按立並建立起來。所有按立的人員都必須透過堂會的 投票選舉產生,每一位領餐會員在這些選舉中的投票權一律平等。 2.教會中領餐會員的子女,基於與神的聖約關係,應當接受嬰孩 洗禮、受牧師的關懷和教導。他們受洗後是教會的受洗會員,但不得 領受聖餐。領受聖餐需要他們達到有理解力的年齡,能夠自願地公開 表明在基督裡的信仰,並能夠自己認同領餐會員誓約的內容並承擔相 應的責任。受洗會員在堂會會議中沒有投票權。 3.固定參與服事、崇拜和奉獻,但卻不是堂會會員的信徒,稱之 為經常聚會的信徒。他們在堂會會議中沒有投票權。 4、有些地方的法律規定,堂會必須成立董事會,由董事會負責管 理教會的產權,並在法律事務上代表堂會。這種董事會必須由堂會的 全體會員選舉產生。董事會成員除了承擔法律規定的事務之外,沒有 任何其它責任。為了增進處理事務的效率,董事會的成員和職員也可 以是執事會的成員,或從執事會中選出。 【D-4】 5.堂議會應對堂會中所屬的團體全面監督和審查。這些所屬團 體包括基於聖經的主日學、週間聚會、宣教團、青年團契以及其它的 團契。為拓展教會的服事、促進教會原則的實施和實踐,如有必要, 也可以設立其它團契。 6.居住在區會管轄範圍內的人,無論人數多寡,都可以向區會請 願,申請組成一個堂會。區會對請願應給予重視,對可能因此而受到 影響的堂會,區會也該給予表達意見的機會。若組成堂會的請願獲準,區會要通知請願者,並指定時間和地點進行組成工作。 7.在指定的時間和地點,應由長老主持開堂禮拜。禮拜以禱告開 始,然後舉行崇拜,崇拜中應含講道。開堂禮拜之後應確定經由考 核查證而被接納為會員的人數,這些人包含從其它堂會轉入的人,或/ 和區會因組成新堂會而建的臨時會員名冊上的人。想要在共同信仰基 基上聯合的人,以及可以出示由真教會出具轉入證明書的人,在考核 查證之後,可以接納為新堂會領餐會員。被接納者的孩子如果受過 洗,應列在受洗會員的名冊上。 8.名冊確定之後,當由一位長老宣讀領餐會員誓約,所有新堂會領餐會友應起立聆聽並表示同意,並表示同意下述誓約:「你願不願意莊嚴地與神立約,並且彼此立約,在改革宗長老會憲章的基礎上所組成的堂會裡,與弟兄合一地共同生活,在主裡順服管轄你的議會? 並且以聖潔的生活,追求教會整體的純潔、和平和興旺?」新堂會的領餐會員應簽署領餐會員約。長老應奉教會的君王和元首主耶穌基 督的名禱告,奉祂的權柄建立這個堂會。然後主席宣布這個堂會正式成立。 9.在同一次聚會中,此堂會應在區會的監督下,繼續進行長老和 執事的選舉(儘管執事在組建新堂會時不是必須設立的)。如果法律 規定要有董事會,董事的選舉也可一併舉行。區會要對這些長老、執 事和董事的評鑑、按立和就職妥善安排。在例外的情況下,會前公告 的宣讀可以取消,選出來的人可以立即考核、按立和就職。長老、執 事和董事選出之後,在按立和就職之前,可以暫時由區會指派的執委 會擔任職務。所有程序事項都要記錄在區會和堂議會的會議記錄上。 【D-5】 另一個方法是將教會退減到在區會直接監督下的「講道站」(preaching station)。
10. 兩個教會可以在教會的批准下,以各自教會的三分之二多數同意下被合併。 合併計劃應規定牧師、執事會和堂會以及其他教會組織的調整。 該計劃應由各會眾通過,然後由區會生效。 11. 會眾或其董事會將會眾的財產代為主教會議託管,不得將其挪作他用。 該財產在法律上是民事法院將保護的信託。 如果會眾希望改變其敬拜場所的地點,則應先獲得區會關於搬遷和新地點的批准。 未經區會透過會眾會議傳達的書面許可,特定會眾不得出售或抵押財產。 當區會確定會眾解散時,為該會眾持有的所有財產的所有權,應立即轉移給主教會議的董事會,董事會應與適當的區會的顧問一起決定如何處置這些財產和/或收益。 未經區會和總會受託人事先批准,不得因預期組織解散而進行超出正常運作過程的資產或支出分配。 (有關政策和程序,請參閱 1972 年會議紀要,第 13、150-152 頁。) 第3章 教會職分 聖經並沒有在基督的教會中,將長老的職分區分為治理和教導兩 種。由於資質和處境的原因,長老們的不同恩賜會顯明出來,使他們 透過監督(治理)和勸誡,看顧並滿足羊群的需要。在長老中間,會 顯出適合解經和講道的人。基於上述的理解,因此這種功能的區分, 以及「治理長老」和「教導長老」通俗稱呼的使用,均為合宜。執事 是聖靈給新約教會的職分,為要幫助教會完成她的使命。 I. 長老:治理長老 A. 條件 被呼召的治理長老必須具備下列條件: 1、必須是男性領餐會員,其會員資格在改革宗長老會中確認無疑。 2.表現的品格與行為,符合提前 3:1-7、多 1:5-9、彼前 5:1-3 中 所列的標準。 3.對本會凡符合聖經的次級教義規範(改革宗長老會憲章),有充足的知識並全心認同。 【D-6】 B、本分 治理長老的本分包括: 1. 在堂會中積極熱心地牧養關懷。 2. 正常地出席並參與堂議會。 3. 參與並監督堂會的教導事工。 4. 參與並且監督聖禮的執行。 5. 訓練全體堂會會員成為成熟的門徒。 6. 服事犯錯和失喪的人。 7.探訪患病和貧困缺乏的人。 8.對增進基督教會整體利益的事業獻身。 9.正常參加教會上一級的議會。 10.定期與執事會會面,共同評估他們各方面的事工,並幫助這些事工的發展。 C、職權 治理長老的職權包括: 1.主持教會會議。 2.為堂議會的常任委員。 3.在上一級議會中,有投票權。 4.堂議會或區會認為他為人聖潔、也具備足夠的神學、聖經和教會歷史等方面的知識時,就可以承擔下列任務: a. 在本堂議會或另一堂議會的請求之下,在其所在堂 會偶爾講道。 b. 在另一個議會特別請求下,在本系統內偶爾講道。 c. 偶爾對神的子民宣告神的祝福。 5.經區會審查之後,認為治理長老為人聖潔,並對母語聖經、系統神學、解經式講道已準備就緒,經該堂議會或另一議會任命後,該長老就具備資格,可以較經常性講道與祝福。 (參見講道條件,二 C2e) 6.在非同尋常的情況下,經區會明確任命,可以在特定場合,執行聖 禮。 7.在特殊情況下,可由區會任命,擔任另一個堂議會的臨時長老。 【D-7】 D. 選舉程序 1、批准 治理長老的選舉可以由下列方式獲準: a. 長老選舉的發起必須符合下列一項或一項以上的條件: (1)堂會向堂議會請求增加長老數目。 (2)堂議會認為有適合人選,教會有需要增加長老人數。 (3)在特殊情況下,區會要求堂議會舉行長老的選舉。 b. 長老的選舉,需由堂議會召開全體會員的特別會議。 2、會議的召集 召集會議的程序如下: a. 堂議會應正式公佈選舉的日期、時間和地點。 b. 選舉公告,需在選舉日期前兩個主日的崇拜中,正式公開宣 讀,也就是在選舉日期八天之前通知全體堂會會員。 c. 若該堂會沒有公共聚會,必須在會期十天前透過郵件或電 話通知所有可聯絡的會員。 【D-8】 3. 會議程序 會議程序應如下: a. 堂會會員已聚集好參加選舉會議時,堂議會主席或區會任命的 人應主持開始選舉會議。 b. 堂議會應提供一份該堂會中領餐會員的完整名單,好從這些人 中確定開會的法定人數(經常聚會,住在本地,領餐會員人數的 一半)。每一次投票表決,都必須達到法定人數。 c. 主席詢問會眾,是否仍願繼續進行選舉。 d. 最後一次宣讀會議公告。 e. 應在堂議會的指導下舉行崇拜,崇拜中應含講道。 f. 進行選舉。 g. 會議以禱告結束。 4. 投票表決 選舉應按下列程序進行: a. 所需要填補長老的數目,可以由堂議會決定。填補人數應依 堂會的需要和候選人靈性成熟的程度。 b. 堂議會可以提交一份候選人名單。 c. 如果堂議會已經提出了想要填補的長老數目,候選人的數目則 不可少於這個數目。 d. 出席會議的領餐會員,也可以提名候選人。 e. 選舉也可以在沒有候選人的情況下進行。 f. 即使有了候選人,票也可以投給任何其他合格的人。 g. 選舉要以選票進行,堂議會應採取預防措施,以確保投票的公正誠信。 h. 當要選出的長老數目確定之後,每一張選票上所填寫的名字數目,不可超過要選出的長老數目。 i. 若領餐會員無法出席會議,可以書面遞交選票,裝在密 封的信封中,信封上寫上自己的名字,並寄給堂議會。 j. 不鼓勵在選票上列出候選人;如果使用了,缺席者的選票只在第一次計票中有效。 K. 要當選長老,需有三分之二多數票贊成。計算選票的總數時,空白選票不計。寫著「無」字樣的選票,表示投票人不願意選任何 一位候選人,這樣的選票在計算選票總數時,應計入。 l. 若經過三次投票,沒有人獲得三分之二多數票贊同,堂議會 主席經與堂議會磋商後,可以延後選舉。 m. 主席要指定兩位計票 員,收集選票,表列選舉結果,並向主席報告計票結果。 【D-9】 E. 考試、按立和就職的程序 Procedure for Examination, Ordination and Installation 1. 考試 Examination 對長老當選人應依下列程序審核: a. 長老當選人,應向堂議會正式表達自己的意向,是否接受堂會 的呼召,此通知應在選舉後兩週以內完成。 b.若長老當選人願意接受呼召,堂議會應與當選人在正式堂議 會中會面,審核當選人是否符合條件(參見治理長老條件,一 A)。 c. 應審核當選人是否在信仰上堅定,是否對改革宗長老會信仰宣 言堅定信守致力維護。 d.若堂議會判定長老當選人不適合任此職分,則不得按立及就任。 e. 在下列情況下,不需要按立: (1)長老當選人已在本系統按立過長老。 (2)長老當選人經證實已在有形教會中信仰純正的其它系統被按立過同等職分,且符合本系統治理長老的條件。 f. 所有長老當選人宣布願意服事,並經堂議會審查、批准後,都必須公開的按立和就職於堂議會。 2. 批准 Authorization 堂議會批准按立和就職的方式如下: a. 審核合格的長老當選人,其按立就職的時間、地點應由堂議會決定。 (堂會會員若有異議,應在會議召開前,以書面形式遞交堂議會。堂議會應在會議召開前回應異議。 ) b. 日期、時間、地點、長老當選人的名單,應由負責按立的堂議會通知區會中所有的堂議會。 3. 會議的召集 按立和就職會議的召集: a. 堂議會應擬定一份公告。 b. 該公告要在本會議舉行八天之前,也就是在會議前兩個主日崇 拜中,公開宣讀。 c.若該堂會沒有公共聚會,必須在會期十天前透過郵件或電 話通知所有可聯絡的會員。 4. 會議程序 會議程序如下: a. 會議應由堂議會主席或區會所指定的人主持,參加會議的本系 統所有長老都有發言權。 b. 與會人數需達到法定人數:即經常聚會,住在本地,領餐會員 的半數。 c. 應最後宣讀一遍公告。 d. 應在堂議會的指導下舉行崇拜,崇拜中應包含講道。 e. 應由指定的長老,將按立和就職前的步驟過程陳述一遍。
f. 應由指定的長老,向接受按立的候選人,提出誓約問答,候選 人應肯定回答。 g. 候選人應在誓約上公開簽名。 h. 如果是按立並就職,候選人應跪下禱告,所有出席的長老都應 受邀參與按手儀式。 i. 如果是就職,就僅作就職禱告。 j. 應由一位長老奉耶穌基督的名並靠祂的權柄,作按立和/或就職 禱告。 k.眾長老行右手交會之禮接納就職的長老。 l.經堂議會的斟酌,可以向就職的長老和堂會會員囑咐特殊的責 任。 m. 堂議會應以禱告和祝福結束聚會。 n. 讓堂會會員和朋友有機會,歡迎問候就職的長老。 5. 在堂議會中服事中止 治理長老的服事,可以在下列情況下中止: a.長老可以向堂議會請求辭職,中止在堂議會的職責。若請 長老長期忠誠服事,應考慮授予「榮休長老」的稱號。 b. 辭職獲準的長老,如要再次任職服事,必須重新選舉。 c. 長老如因居住距離、健康或其它正當理由無法正常地在任職的 堂議會中服事,可以暫時中止其職責。堂議會暫時中止長老職責 時需謹慎進行,並宣告他的身分為非執行職務狀態(例如:無投 票權)。非執行職務狀態與停職不同,停職的情況請參考教會紀律 章程。 d. 長老或長老所屬的堂議會可以安排長老安息離職,安息離職通 常不超過一年,在此期間為非執行職務狀態。 e. 如獲堂議會和區會的批准,堂會可以安排長老輪流。 f. 非執行職務狀態的長老,在堂議會同意後可以恢復職權,進入 全面服事。 g. 當長老將領餐會員的會籍轉移到另一個堂議會管轄之下時,其 在原堂議會的長老身分即告中止。 【D-11】 6. 解除職分 治理長老的職分可以解除。
解除長老職分時應遵行下列原則: a. b. c. d. 治理長老職分的解除,僅能由按立該長老的堂議會或區會行 使。 當堂議會有意解除長老的職分時,必須向區會遞交控訴狀,告 知區會。 在特殊情況下,如果區會斷定堂議會無法或不願對有問題的長 老行使應有的懲戒,區會也可啟動解除長老職分的司法程序。 非經公正的審判,長老的職分不得中止解除。 e. 7. 職權的解除。 審判的程序已詳述於教會紀律章程。 經按立後的權利與職責在下列情況下得以解除: a. 經教會議事庭審查、判決後,長老所按立的職權得以解除。 b. 長老自行請求解除職權,經教會議事庭慎重考慮並批准之後生 效。。 II. 長老:教導長老 ELDERS: TEACHING ELDERS 在一般情況下,教會中正式的聖道宣講和聖禮的施行,應交付給 受過訓練具備教導恩賜的人。對顯出教導恩賜的人,教會應鼓勵其加 緊學術裝備,好將自己交付區會公開考核,以便獻身於順服基督和他 聖道的全時間服事之中,使用職權盡自己的本分。 教導長老有更廣泛的職責,但並不比其他長老有更高的權柄。雖 然所有的長老都具有牧養的職責,但通常情況下教導長老才被稱為 “牧師”。當教會的會眾與工作增多,需要增添教導長老(助理牧 師)時,其程序相同。 如果牧師離開擁有多位牧師的堂會,現有的副牧師不需要接受新的呼召來改變其角色。長老教會已經任命他為會眾的教導長老。為了清楚起見和和平起見,任何現任牧師都需要獲得會眾三分之二多數票才能擔任即將離任的牧師。這樣就沒有必要宣布講壇空置。為了團結起見,長老會謹慎地在這些議題上領導會眾是明智的。 教導長老中,若有些人經區會批准成為美國或加拿大隨軍牧師,應看作是由所屬區會聘用的宣教士,借調給軍隊使用;他們仍由所屬的區會監督, 有義務向所屬區會報告。 (參 1985 年總會會議紀錄第 91 頁) 【D-12】 A. 條件
除了治理長老的條件(參見一,A)外,蒙召作教導長老的人,還 必須顯出聖靈的呼召和恩賜,能勤奮學習,並公開宣講神的聖道。 (提前 5:17) B. 本分 除了治理長老的本分(參見一, B)外,教導長老的本分還包括: 1. 在崇拜中宣講神的聖道。 2. 主持洗禮和聖餐。 3. 主持婚禮和葬禮。 我們非常歡迎退休的教導長老定期參與教會的高等法庭活動,但並非強制要求; 他們的缺席不需要正式的請求。 C. 準備過程 1. 起始步驟 要成為教導長老,必須採取以下步驟: a. 須親自向所屬堂議會表明,渴慕預備自己成為教導長老。 b. 如果堂議會贊成他的意向,堂議會當請求區會照顧他。 c. 通常情況下,在接受具體的神學教育之前,他應當修完學士學位,或同等學力。 d. 修完學士學位或同等學力、並經區會接納為神學生之後,他應完成所屬區會指定的神學課程,取得道學碩士學位或同等學力。 e. 通常情況下,他應在改革宗長老教會神學院中學習最少一年。 f. 在第一學年結束時,他應向所屬區會顯出證據,表明願繼續受訓,以成為一位教導長老。 (這時,區會可以要求他講一次 道。) g. 當這個被區會照管的神學生所顯出的證據,被區會贊同,並且 收到神學院贊成的報告後,區會應出具證明,讓他繼續神學訓 練。 h.在核准可以講道之前,這位神學生只可在堂議會的直接監督之下,應邀講道。 i. 區會核發許可證需經兩個步驟:講道是否合格,蒙召是否合 格。 【D-13】 2. 講道資格(取得執照的第一步)
Eligibility to Preach (First Step for Licensure) 要獲得講道資格,學生應遵循以下程序: a. 學生在第一年後的任何時間都有資格獲得講道認證。 b. 學生應請求神學院向其長老會轉交對其事工資格的評估和其學術地位的證明。 c. 候選人應由其長老會在組成的法庭中接受以下方面的審查: (1) 個人的敬虔 (2) 聖經知識 (3) 系統神學與本系統獨特的原則 (4) 傳講解經講道的信息 (5) 提交一篇關於教會歷史的論文(長老會負責佈置這些作業,這些作業可能與神學院完成的作業相對應。) d. 每項考核之後,議事庭成員可以發表評論,並說明投贊成或反 對票的理由。評論應被視為個人看法或判斷,而非議事庭定論。 投票表決的方式,應一一唱名。 e. 講道和考核若獲三分之二多數票贊成,應指定一位長老,進行 講道資格誓約問答。 f. 長老教會應在認為適當時以唱名方式投票決定是否認可他為傳道候選人。 g. 如果候選人以三分之二的票數獲得批准,他應簽署適當的認證查詢。 h. 被任命的長老應以教會君王和元首基督的名義進行祈禱,正式認證候選人。 i. 獲委任的長老應就其本分和限制向候選人提出忠告,具體如下: (1) 他不得主持聖禮。 (2) 不得主持婚禮。 (3) 他不得宣告祝福。 j. 區會應在祈禱和祝福中休會。 k. 候選人將獲得傳教資格證書。 l. 他仍然受到長老會的照顧和會議的管轄。 m.認證期限通常為五年,並可由長老教會酌情續展。 3. 被呼召的資格(獲得許可的最後一步) Eligibility for a Call (Final Step for Licensure) 要獲得被呼召的資格,學生應遵循以下程序: 【D-14】 a. 神學生在第二學年結束時就具備獲得蒙召資格證書的條件。
b. 神學生應請神學院,將他的資格評鑑和證書寄給區會。 c. 候選人要在下列幾方面,接受區會設置的議事庭的考核: (1) 牧養及講道恩賜的證據 (2) 系統神學與本系統獨特原則 (3) 教會歷史 (4) 就指定主題進行解經式講道 (5) 提交解經式論文(由區會指定這些作業,這些作 業可能與神學院完成的作業相當。) d. 每項的考核之後,議事庭成員可以作出評論,並說明投贊成或反 對票的理由。評論應被視為個人看法或判斷,而非議事庭定論。 投票表決的方式,應一一唱名。 e. 講道及考核若獲三分之二多數票贊成時,應指定一位長老,進行 蒙召資格誓約問答。 f. 區會頒發牧師候選人資格證書時,應投票表決,必要時應一一唱 名投票。這份證書必須有三分之二多數票贊成才能頒發。 g. 如果候選人獲得三分之二票數批准,他應簽署相應的質詢書。 h. 應指定一位長老,當奉教會的君王和元首主耶穌基督的名為受領 蒙召資格證書的候選人禱告。 i. 應指定一位長老,針對候選人的本分及限制,給予勸誡。其限制 如下:具體如下: (1) 他不得主持聖禮。 (2) 不得主持婚禮。 (3) 他不得宣告祝福。 j. 長老教會應在祈禱和祝福中休會。 k. 候選人將獲得執照證書。 l. 他仍在所屬區會的照顧和管轄之下。 m. 證書有效期限通常為五年。可以在區會的同意下延長期限。 D. 選舉程序 1、授權 教導長老的選舉可獲授權如下: A。 選舉教導長老的動議必須包括以下一項或多項內容: 【D-15】 |