Recommendations

Pulled by the Chaplains Work and Care Committee

43-16: The CWCC recommends that the 43rd General Assembly approve amending the Book of Government sections 9-5E and 9-11 to include the requirement for Chaplain endorsements.

The Ministerial Vocation Committee recommends that the 43rd General Assembly approve the “Denominational Requirements for Endorsement to Serve as a Chaplain.”

The Permanent Judicial Committee recommends that the 43rd General Assembly approve the proposed amendments to G.9-5E and G.9-11B from the Chaplains Work and Care Committee, as edited by the PJC.

Adding Chaplain Endorsement to the Book of Government
Proposed new wording in blue italics
Current Wording Proposed Wording

Book of Government 9-5.E

Chaplain

A court of the Church, a hospital, the military, institutions, universities, or other appropriate fields of service may call a Teaching Elder as Chaplain if the Presbytery deems it appropriate. In such cases, the Chaplain shall always have as a primary responsibility the sharing of the Good News of God in Jesus Christ. The Presbytery may authorize the Chaplain to administer the sacraments in that role.

Book of Government 9-5.E

Chaplain

A court of the Church, a hospital, the military, institutions, universities, or other appropriate fields of service may call a Teaching Elder as Chaplain if the Presbytery deems it appropriate. In such cases, the Chaplain shall always have as a primary responsibility the sharing of the Good News of God in Jesus Christ. The Presbytery may authorize the Chaplain to administer the sacraments in that role. All Teaching Elders serving as Chaplains must be endorsed through the Chaplain Endorser and the Chaplains Work and Care Committee. (see Rules for Assembly X.10-1.I.3)

Book of Government 9-11

The Ruling Elder as a Commissioned Pastor

A Ruling Elder may be temporarily authorized by Presbytery as a Commissioned Pastor for a congregation without a Pastor to preach the Word, evangelize, moderate a Session, administer the sacraments, perform marriages (if civil law allows), preside at funerals, and provide pastoral care. Presbyteries may also approve and give appropriate powers to a Ruling Elder to serve as a Commissioned Pastor in mission churches, church planting and church revitalization works, or in chaplaincy positions in hospitals, hospices, prisons, or other institutions.

  1. Authorization shall be for a term up to three years and may be renewed. Such authorization shall specify those powers granted and shall stipulate in which church(es) or ministry contexts those powers are authorized. Such powers shall be exercised only in those contexts.
  2. Potential Commissioned Pastors shall be examined by Presbytery and found to have sufficient knowledge in the areas in which they will be serving.

Book of Government 9-11

The Ruling Elder as a Commissioned Pastor

A Ruling Elder may be temporarily authorized by Presbytery as a Commissioned Pastor for a congregation without a Pastor to preach the Word, evangelize, moderate a Session, administer the sacraments, perform marriages (if civil law allows), preside at funerals, and provide pastoral care. Presbyteries may also approve and give appropriate powers to a Ruling Elder to serve as a Commissioned Pastor in mission churches, church planting and church revitalization works, or in chaplaincy positions in hospitals, hospices, prisons, or other institutions.

  1. Authorization shall be for a term up to three years and may be renewed. Such authorization shall specify those powers granted and shall stipulate in which church(es) or ministry contexts those powers are authorized. Such powers shall be exercised only in those contexts.
  2. Potential Commissioned Pastors shall be examined by Presbytery and found to have sufficient knowledge in the areas in which they will be serving.
  3. Commissioned Pastors approved by their Presbytery to serve as a Chaplain must be endorsed through the Chaplain Endorser and the Chaplains Work and Care Committee. (see Rules for Assembly X.10-1.I.3)

[subsequent paragraphs are to be renumbered accordingly]