1 New Form of Government (nFOG). 2 Approved by the 219 th General (2010) Assembly and sent to Presbyteries for ratification.

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New Form of Government (nFOG)

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New Form of Government (nFOG)

Approved by the 219th General (2010) Assembly and sent to

Presbyteries for ratification.

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Introduction

What is nFoG?

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The PC(USA) ConstitutionPart One Part Two

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Form of Government

The PC(USA) Constitution

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Form of Government

Directory for Worship

The PC(USA) Constitution

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Form of Government

Directory for Worship

Rules of Discipline

The PC(USA) Constitution

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Directory for Worship

Rules of Discipline

The PC(USA) Constitution

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Directory for Worship

Rules of Discipline

Foundations of Presbyterian Polity

Form of Government

The PC(USA) Constitution

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Form of Government

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Foundations of Presbyterian Polity

• Nearly all of the current first four chapters preserved

• Similar themes grouped together

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Chapters

1: Congregations and Membership

2: Ordered Ministries, Commissioning, and Certification

3: Councils

4: Church and Civil Authorities

5: Ecumenicity and Union

6: Interpreting and Amending the Constitution

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Effect of nFOG

On Presbyteries

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Nomenclature Changes

Governing Body Council (G-3.0101)

Minister of Word and Sacrament

Teaching Elder (G-2.0501)

Elder Ruling Elder (G-2.0301)

Commissioned Lay Pastor (CLP)

Commissioned Ruling Elder (G-2.1001)

Ordained Ordered Ministry (G-2.0102)

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What Didn’t Change?

nFOG Committee had mandate from GA not to change the ordination standards or property trust rules.

Ordination Standards G-6.0106b G-2.0104b

Property Trust G-8.0201 G-4.0203

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Membership Categories (G-2.0503)

Installed pastor, co-pastor or associate pastor

Validated MinistryMember at LargeHonorably RetiredNote that there is no longer an “inactive

member”Failure to work in a validated ministry for 3

years results in loss of membership. (G-2.0508)

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Installed Pastor (G-2.0504a)

Categories Pastor Co-pastor Associate Pastor

Now they may be installed for definite or indefinite time.

What we now call a designated pastor is just one of the above installed for a definite period of time.

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Temporary Pastors (G-2.0504b)

Title is decided by the Presbytery No required names, such as “stated supply”, “temporary

supply”, “interim”, etc.

Terms are decided by the Presbytery Must not exceed 12 months, but may be renewed

indefinitely.

No formal call or installation. May serve as next installed pastor, associate

pastor or co-pastor with ¾ vote of Presbytery. (G-2.0504c)

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Associate Pastor (G-2.0504c)

Generally, an associate pastor cannot become the next installed pastor or co-pastor.

Exception: An installed associate pastor may become the next installed pastor or co-pastor with a ¾ vote of Presbytery.

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Committee on Ministry (G-3.0106)

Only the core responsibilities and authorities are given.

All else must be stated in an operating manual.

The name “Committee on Ministry” doesn’t have to exist, only the functions.

Might cause some confusion trying to contact who we now call the COM chair.

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Preparation for Ministry (G-2.06)

Only a broad statement of responsibilities and purposes is given.

Similar to COM, only the core requirements are specified.

Details must be developed by the Presbytery in a manual of operations. Current process in G-14 may be used as that manual.

Nearly all details of the preparation process is left to the presbytery.

No requirement for a group named Committee on Preparation for Ministry (CPM).

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Council (G-3.0109)

What we used to know as “Governing Bodies,” “Adjudicatories,” “Courts,” “Holders of Very Long Meetings”

We can create a groups like our current Councils, CWSW, CM&N, CASS, GC and name it and give it whatever functions we desire.

Need to change the name since “Council” is now used in another way.

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Committee on Representation (G-3.0103)

Required for Councils above the session.May use whatever name we wish.Empowers Councils to implement polices

for diversity that are effective for that council.

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Certified Church Service (G-2.11)

Certified Christian EducatorCertified Associate Christian EducatorOther certified service as approved by

presbytery.

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Officers (G-3.0104)

Constitutional Officers Moderator for a set term (no longer limited to 1

yr) Stated Clerk for a set term

Such other officers as the Council (Presbytery) determines, such as: Vice Moderator Treasurer

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Administration (G-3.0106)

Council (Presbytery) must develop an administrative manual to define details no longer in the FOG.

A Council (Presbytery) may delegate authorities and responsibilities to other entities as long as that entity is responsible to the Council.

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Synod (G-3.0404)

A Council (Synod) may decide to reduce it’s functions to as little as

judicial process administrative review.

Must be approved by 2/3 of its Councils (Presbyteries).

Functions abandoned are given to the Councils (Presbyteries) by mutual agreement.

Must meet at least once every two years.

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What is different about nFOG?

Fewer chaptersLess detailedMore of a constitution than a manual of

operationsAllows much more flexibility rather than

the “one size fits all” current FoG.Seeks to focus on mission rather than

regulation.

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What is different about nFOG?

A lot of work during the transition to write manual of operations.

Introduces some confusion in relating functions of a Council (presbytery) (e.g. who to call to get in touch with COM?)

Will all teaching ministers, elders and deacons be ordained to same “standards”?

Ambiguity as we get used to nFOG.