Words Matter
Words matter. In everyday conversation your choice of words can have an impact on your relationships temporarily or permanently. All of us, at some point in our lives, have needed to apologize and seek forgiveness because we did not choose the right word. For some of us, this happens more often than for others.
Words matter in everyday speech when we do not have time to perfectly articulate the exact words that need to be said. The principle is even more important in a Constitutional document that has been written down, debated, prayed over, voted on, and passed through multiple thresholds. The Book of Church Order is one of these documents. Though not perfectly consistent, the choice of words in the BCO is deliberate and significant.
Sadly, I believe some people read our BCO with a thesaurus in their hand treating concepts and principles as interchangeable. This is particularly true of how some churches believe they are following BCO 9–7. We should do what the BCO explicitly says rather than doing what we want it to say (See article). BCO 9–7 is extremely clear;
It is often expedient that the Session of a church should select and appoint godly men and women of the congregation to assist the deacons in caring for the sick, the widows, the orphans, the prisoners, and others who may be in any distress or need. These assistants to the deacons are not officers of the church (BCO 7–2) and, as such, are not subjects for ordination (BCO 17).
Notice that both verbs, ‘select’ and ‘appoint,’ are deliberate. They are not interchangeable with ‘elect’ or ‘install.’ These distinctions matter. Not to mention the specific function they are to carry out mainly the task of ‘caring’. In this article I aim to provide clear definitions and references to show why we must be cautious about the words we use and the practices we adopt.
Congregation
The congregation consists of all the communing members of a particular church, and they only are entitled to vote (BCO 25–1).
We need to make a few observations about this definition. First, the Book of Church Order distinguishes between the visible church (BCO 2–1), the particular church (BCO 4–1), and the congregation (BCO 25–1). While these overlap in meaning, they are not identical. If we were to draw a Venn diagram, there would be areas of intersection, but each has its own distinct sphere. The Visible church speaks of the universal visible church across the world, which includes professing believers and their children. This visible church is divided by denominations, but only those who maintain Word and Sacraments in their fundamental integrity are true branches of Christ’s Church (BCO 2–2). A particular church is a group of members of the visible church who are united together through worship, covenant community, and government, under the rule of Christ (BCO 4–1). More could be said about this but for now we see Church is an important word.
Congregation is not the Church technically speaking, the congregation in the BCO speaks of only those who are eligible to vote, which we call communing members. The word ‘congregation’ can sometimes function synonymously with ‘church.’ For example, when speaking of ordination and installation the BCO expresses both ‘in the presence of the congregation’ and ‘in the presence of the church’ (BCO 24–6). Or election by the church, which is technically the congregation (BCO 12–5.b). However, almost always congregation has the technical term found in BCO 25–1.
We need to make one decisive point; the congregation is not a court in the church (BCO 10–2). We are not Congregationalist. The congregation meets together at the direction of the Session (BCO 25–2). The Session must call a congregational meeting upon the request of a specific number of members, depending on the size of the congregation. The BCO continues, that even if a Session fails to call a congregational meeting, they cannot call their own meeting, but only through way of complaint can they finally get their desired congregational meeting. The congregational meetings are called for specific purposes as the Session deems necessary (BCO 12–5.d). No one can complain against an action of a congregation as it is not a court (BCO 43).
Court (Session)
A governing body of the Church exercising spiritual authority. In the PCA there are three courts: Session, Presbytery, and General Assembly (BCO 10–2). Courts act jointly (not independently) under Christ, the King and Head of the Church.
A court is the method the church is governed. Composed of Ruling Elders and Teaching Elders (BCO 12–1; 13–1; 14–1). They are arranged in graded order (lower and higher) of session, Presbytery and General Assembly. They share the same kinds of rights and powers (Ministerial and declarative) but differ in what the Constitution provides (BCO 11–3). Technically speaking a court only exists when a quorum is present and they are in ‘session.’
The power of the court only comes through election of men through the proper process. No person can be a member of a court in the PCA unless they have been nominated, examined, and ordained as an elder in the Denomination (Deacons may be appointed to serve on committees (BCO 9–5)). Every man casting a vote in any court of the PCA is accountable to God through the vows they have taken before God. The actions of a court are subject to review and complaint, and in the case of judicial matters appeal (BCO 40; 42–43).
Select
Select refers to the act of choosing from among qualified options (BCO 9–7; 25–6).
The few instances of this phrase in the BCO show how it is clearly used. In the case of BCO 9–7, it is the Session, not the congregation, who selects men and women who have qualifications, they are godly, and they are members of the congregation. In the case of BCO 25–6, the congregation may elect trustees, selecting them from their membership. Even the Session selects hymns or other things which need to fit particular qualifications (BCO 51–3; 62–5). Selection may occur without election and without violating Preliminary Principle 6, since those selected are not vested with any authority over the people. From this idea of selecting qualified persons, we move to the more formal act of election.
Elect
Election is the formal act of a congregation or church court, by vote, to choose a person to hold a particular office or represent the body in an official capacity bearing authority. It confers legitimacy for ordination, and installation (cf. BCO 16–1; 24–1; 25–2).
Election in the Book of Church Order is used in three various ways, but always a vote on one particular person to a particular office. The most common is that of a congregation electing a man to an office (ordination) and call (installation). Preliminary Principle 6 explains this well, “Though the character, qualifications and authority of church officers are laid down in the Holy Scriptures, as well as the proper method of officer investiture, the power to elect persons to the exercise of authority in any particular society resides in that society.” We see this in the life of the congregation through the election of Pastors, Ruling Elders and Deacons (BCO 5–9.f; 12–5.b; 16–2; 20; 24; 23–3; 37–6).
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When a congregation elects a man to these offices, it is not merely granting him a task but recognizing a call from Christ through the voice of His people. These officers exercise spiritual oversight and service under Christ’s appointed authority (BCO 8–1; 9–1). In turn, the congregation affirms its submission to that lawful authority through the membership vows (BCO 57–5) and the vows taken at installation (BCO 24–6). Thus, an election is not administrative, it is covenantal. It joins the authority of the officer with the consent and trust of the congregation under the headship of Christ (BCO 3–6).
The second use of the word election of a particular person to a particular position, which could also be understood as an office, or position of authority (cf. 14–1.12 and 14). These can often be found in three forms, Moderator, Stated Clerk, or presiding officer (BCO 5–10; 9–4; 10–3; 10–4; 12–2; 12–3; 25–4 and 5). Similar is the election by a court ti someone through representation, in which a specific number are elected by the court to represent them in a higher court or through way of committee or commission (BCO 13–1; 14–1.11, 12, and 14; 14–2; 15–4) Now this can be the right of the body to appoint men to a committee or commission, if the Book of Church Order does not call for an election (BCO 23–2).
The final is like the second, so you might call this the two and half view of election. This instance is when a congregation elects trustees (BCO 25–6, 7 and 8). This is somewhat a combination of the two, although trustee is not an office in the church it is understood as a civil office of the legal entity (eg. corporation). The Trustees do not exercise any authority over the church, this is why it is distinct from the other two positions. This election is one of legal and civil authority which is under the authority of the congregation (BCO 25–6).
Appoint
To delegate a person or group to perform a specific work or function under the authority of a court (e.g., BCO 9–7; 8–4; 15–1).
Appoint is used in one manner in the Book of Church Order as defined above but in three various uses.
First, is that of Christ’s appointment which he exercises as King and Head of His Church (BCO Preface I). Christ has appointed and revealed in His word the government of His Church (WCF 1.6). I have written on this before so will not belabor the point (See article). However, we need to see the use is that Christ has appointed the government (Preliminary Principle 2). But more specifically the officers of his church (PP 3; BCO 3–1 and 6). All according to Christ’s word.
The second, is the most common in the BCO and is that of a court of the church appointing a group of members or an individual to carry out a specific function. Presbytery may appoint a commission to act as a provisional session of a mission church (when started a mission church has no members to elect (BCO 5–1; 5–3.c). Presbytery may also appoint particular Teaching Elders to particular responsibilities, often because there is no particular congregation, e.g. Evangelist, needful work, or chaplain (BCO 8–4, 6, and 8). Other instances are those who are appointed by a body to carry out a particular function, eg godly men and women to assist the diaconate (BCO 9–7), or others to convene a meeting, present a call, or serve as prosecutor (BCO 14–6.f; 20–3; 20–8; 24–2; 25–4; 31–2, and 6; 32–3).
The third use of appoint is similar to the process of electing a person to serve on a committee or court, but it is applied in a more specific manner. A court may have a designated number of representatives to fill in particular situations, for example, a Session may elect or appoint representatives to higher courts (BCO 12–5.f; 13–5). Often, the term appoint in the Book of Church Order refers not to individuals but to entities, such as committees or commissions (BCO 15–1, 2, 3; 32–11; 42–8). A person may be elected to serve on a committee, but the committee itself is appointed to carry out a particular function or duty.
What’s the difference between election and appointment?
In the Book of Church Order, election refers to the formal vote of a congregation or court to place a person into a continuing office that carries authority and responsibility — either perpetually (BCO 7–2) or for a term (BCO 10–3, 4). Such elections ordinarily follow a process of nomination and lead to ordination and/or installation in the case of Elders and Deacons. Appointment, by contrast, also involves an official act of designation, often by vote, but it assigns a person or committee to a specific and usually temporary duty. An election establishes someone in office; an appointment entrusts someone with a task, ordinarily without authority.
Installation
Installation is the act of formally placing an officer, who has been duly elected by the congregation, into a particular call or charge, thereby authorizing him to exercise the duties of his office in that specific calling (cf. BCO 24–6).
Installation is used in one clear way in the Book of Church Order (BCO 5–9; 8–6; 12–5.b; 13–9.b; 15–2; 21; 24–6). The installing of a man to serve in his office at a church. We often think of ordination apart from its connection to a specific call. No man can be ordained if he is unable to be installed (BCO 20–1). No one can take the ordination vows and then not be installed. You can have a man who is ordained without a call (BCO 22–3; 24–10). This however, is a man who has been ordained to a call, and then the call is dissolved, or term expired. Installation is then the important last step in the process, and includes an important function as well. Ordination is when a man takes vows before God for the responsibilities he promises to perform. At installation both the officer and the Session or congregation take vows before God for the responsibilities they will carry out in their particular callings. Installation is the congregation’s affirmation of the man’s call to serve as an elected officer over them (BCO 21–6, and 10; 24–6).
Conclusion
Words matter, and the words we use matter when we talk about Christ’s Church. The Book of Church Order can be unclear to many people, and even long term BCO students disagree over particular portions. We should not make it more difficult by conflating terms and words. BCO 9–7 is extremely clear, and if the Session desires to have men and women assist the diaconate there is a clear process that should be followed.
It is often expedient that the Session of a church should select and appoint godly men and women of the congregation to assist the deacons in caring for the sick, the widows, the orphans, the prisoners, and others who may be in any distress or need.
We should not believe we are following BCO 9–7 by switching words around. The Book of Church Order does not say,
“It is often expedient that the congregation of a church should nominate and elect appoint godly women of the congregation to be installed as deaconesses to do the duties of deacons.”
Precision in language protects the peace and purity of the church. The BCO’s words are not mere suggestions; they are our shared covenant vocabulary.
