This accessible resource on the Presbyterian ruling elder is especially designed for those considering becoming ruling elders and those who have been elected to this ordered ministry. It explains the meaning of the term "ruling elder� and the qualifications and duties of this ministry. The book goes on to explore the relationship of ruling elders to other elders, the role of the ruling elder on session and in the presbytery, and the relationships...

This detailed, comprehensive interpretation of “The Presbyterian Book of Order” is the most complete resource of its kind. Joan S. Gray and Joyce C. Tucker have revised this bestselling book to include the new standards from the new Form of Government in “The Book of Order”. It explains the system of Presbyterian government, from sessions to presbyteries to synods to the General Assembly itself.

Pastors, church leaders, and students of Presbyterian polity will find this a useful guide to Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) governance based on foundational principles. Recent changes in the PC(USA) Constitution have meant fewer rules and more flexibility in governance, making it imperative that leaders understand the historical principles that guide the church. Wilton explains the Book of Order's historic principles of church order in accessible language,...

Updated 2022 Edition In this highly useful book, Earl S. Johnson, Jr. explores the role of the deacon in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). The author explains the freedom for churches to define the roles of deacons while also supplying many helpful suggestions. Johnson examines the ministry as it is described in sections of the Book of Order and analyzes how the word "deacon" is used in Scripture. In addition, Johnson provides historical information...

This useful guide for church leaders covers all aspects of officer training: call, duties, ethics, the Presbyterian Constitution, and much more. Congregations will find this resource indispensable for the recruitment and training of effective church leaders.

Published during the tenth anniversary of the Book of Common Worship (1993), The Companion to the Book of Common Worship is a practical guide, answering questions such as how do I use the Book of Common Worship to its fullest advantage? and how can the Book of Common Worship form a congregation into a community that glorifies and enjoys God?

Popular Presbyterian author and editor Don McKim returns with a follow-up to the Geneva Press best seller Presbyterian Questions, Presbyterian Answers. This study-friendly guide articulates the basic tenets of the faith and answers some of the most frequently asked questions about being a Presbyterian. The comprehensive volume is divided into the following sections: "About Presbyterians," "Presbyterians and Others," "Presbyterian Theology," "Christian...

In this study of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), Louis Weeks examines the present state of the denomination and how congregations can grow in faith through the current time of transition in the church. He considers markers of Presbyterian identity, new ways of connecting and faith development, and defining qualities of the church. Recognizing that many congregations are changing in different ways, Weeks includes case studies of congregations and...

To mark the historic 2010 union of two Reformed bodies of churches-the World Alliance of Refored Churches and the Reformed Ecumenical council-more than twenty-five revered pastors, theologians, and ecumenists contributed essays for this volume. These writings celebrate what it means to live in unity and communion in the twenty-first century and stress the importance of ecumenism in working for mission and justice. Among the many noted contributors...

In Church History 101, William Ramsay surveys the growth and development of the Christian church from the New Testament era to the present day. Placing special attention on the experiences of Presbyterians in America, he highlights key events and profiles prominent individuals who had an impact on the church's life. This brief review of the history that led Presbyterians to America serves as a valuable introduction for new member classes, adult study...