Form of Government
New Form of Government became effective July 10, 2011
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The new Form of Government contains:
Foundations of Presbyterian Polity — lays out the principles that are foundational to government, worship, and discipline for the PC(USA).
Form of Government — spells out the constitutional framework for government of the PC(USA) as it seeks to respond to God’s call to life in mission.
Advisory Handbook for Councils for the Development of Policies and Procedures Required by the Form of Government — an aid to councils (governing bodies) of the church for developing the policies and procedures to carry out their mission.
The new Form of Government, approved by the 219th General Assembly (2010) and ratified by a majority of presbyteries is available in the 2011/2013 edition of the Book of Order.
The Form of Government spells out the constitutional framework for government of the PC(USA) as it seeks to respond to God’s call to life in mission.
Resources related to the new Form of Government
- Comparison chart of the previous Form of Government to the current Foundations & Form of Government.
- Comparison chart of the current Foundations and Form of Government to the previous Form of Government.
- FAQ on the new Form of Government (revised August 2011).
- Previous Form Of Government for Transitional Manuals.
- Sample bylaws for congregations.
Advisory handbooks
- Advisory Handbook for Councils for the Development of Policies and Procedures Required by the Form of Government — an aid to councils (governing bodies) of the church for developing the policies and procedures to carry out their mission.
- Advisory Handbook of Preparing for Ministry in the PC(USA)
- Advisory Handbook for Ministry Committees/Commissions - From the Office of Vocation, new editions designed to provide guidance for our common life, rather than a regulatory manual. For use by those who are called to presbytery ministry committees or commissions and those involved in preparation for ministry.
Background articles
- What Is Missional Ecclesiology? from Paul Hooker, minister member of the FOG Task Force, member of the Advisory Committee on the Constitution.
- A brief reflection on the Foundations of Presbyterian Polity by noted author William Chapman.
Fall Polity 2011 resources
Workshops - Session A
- Examination processes and issues (PDF)(3.23mb) Implications of the new Form of Government for sessions and mid councils:
- Navigating the nFOG (PDF)(156kb)
- Summary Checklist (PDF)(73kb)
- Suggested motions for councils (PDF)(70kb) Val Fowler
Workshops - Session B
- CoM and CPM since nFOG (PDF)(8.60mb) Tim Cargal
PowerPoint slides on new Book of Order
- FoG 101 (PPT)(6.25mb)
- nFoG intro (Adobe Flash based presentation)
Weekly video series by Stated Clerk, Gradye Parsons
09/19/2011 Introduction and F1.01.
09/26/2011 God's Mission F1.01 continued.
10/03/2011 The Authority of Christ F1.02 01.
10/10/2011 Christ Calls and Equips the Church F1.02 02.
10/17/2011 Christ Gives the Church Its Life F1.02 03.
10/24/2011 Christ Is the Church’s Hope F1.02 04.
11/07/2011 The Church Is the Body of Christ F1.03 01.
11/14/2011 The Church Is the Body of Christ F1.03 01.
11/21/2011 The Church Is the Body of Christ F1.03 01.
11/28/2011 The Church Is the Body of Christ F1.03 01.
12/12/2011 The Church Is the Body of Christ F1.03 01.
01/09/2011 The Unity of the Church F1.03 02.
01/16/2011 The Unity of the Church F1.03 02a.
01/23/2011 The Holiness of the Church F1.03 02b.
01/30/2011 The Apostolicity of the Church F1.03 02d.