Chapter 16: Church Orders - The Doctrine of Vocation
Part I — Form of Government
Sections 17.1–17.4
Section 17.1
16-1. Ordinary vocation to office in the Church is the calling of God by the
Spirit, through the inward testimony of a good conscience, the manifest
approbation of God’s people, and the concurring judgment of a lawful court of
the Church.
Section 17.2
16-2. The government of the Church is by officers gifted to represent Christ,
and the right of God’s people to recognize by election to office those so gifted
is inalienable. Therefore no man can be placed over a church in any office
without the election, or at least the consent of that church.
Section 17.3
16-3. Upon those whom God calls to bear office in His Church He bestows
suitable gifts for the discharge of their various duties. And it is indispensable
that, besides possessing the necessary gifts and abilities, natural and acquired,
every one admitted to an office should be sound in the faith, and his life be
according to godliness. Wherefore every candidate for office is to be approved
by the court by which he is to be ordained.
Section 17.4
16-4. Officers in the Presbyterian Church in America must be above
reproach in their walk and Christlike in their character. While office bearers
will see spiritual perfection only in glory, they will continue in this life to
confess and to mortify remaining sins in light of God’s work of progressive
sanctification. Therefore, to be qualified for office, they must affirm the
sinfulness of fallen desires, the reality and hope of progressive sanctification,
and be committed to the pursuit of Spirit-empowered victory over their sinful
temptations, inclinations, and actions.