This course provides an overview of Presbyterian Church (USA) polity, both in principle and in practice. Particular emphasis will be given to the use of the constitution in the local congregation and governing bodies. The class will include lectures, discussion posts, case studies, quizzes, and outside assignments.
REQUIRED TEXTS
- Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) The Constitution of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), Part I, The Book of Confessions (current edition with index).
- Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), The Constitution of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), Part II, The Book of Order (current edition)
- Goodwiller, Gregory A., A Guide to Parliamentary Procedure in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). (This is a PDF document and can be found at this link: http://www.pcus.org/media/uploads/oga/pdf/parliamentary_procedure.pdf)
- Gray, Joan S. and Joyce Tucker, Presbyterian Polity for Church Leaders (Fourth Edition)
- Hooker, Paul K., Faith, Hope, Love, and Witness: The PC(USA) Form of Government (Leader’s Guide and Participant’s Book, Being Reformed Series)
- Teacher: Gary Eller