1. Presbyterian Polity

2. The PC(USA) Constitution Part One: The Book of Confessions Nicene Creed Apostles Creed Scots Conf Heidelberg Catechism Second Helvetic Conf Westminster Conf Westminster Shorter Westminster Larger Barmen Declaration Conf of 1967 Brief Statement Part Two: The Book of Order The Form of Government The Directory for Worship The Rules of Discipline

3. All officers, ministers, ruling elders and deacons, answer the same questions at the time of ordination, except the last question, which is one of function.

4. Do you trust in Jesus Christ your Savior, acknowledge him Lord of all and Head of the Church, and through him believe in one God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit? Do you trust in Jesus Christ your Savior, acknowledge him Lord of all and Head of the Church, and through him believe in one God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit? Do you accept the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments to be, by the Holy Spirit, the unique and authoritative witness to Jesus Christ in the Church universal, and God’s Word to you?

5. Do you sincerely receive and adopt the essential tenets of the Reformed faith as expressed in the confession of our church as authentic and reliable expositions of what Scripture leads us to believe and do, and will you be instructed and led by those confessions as you lead the people of God?

6. Changes to the Book of Order Provide for more governance in lower councils and allow more flexibility for smaller presbyteries and churches to continue in mission.

7. Who attends General Assembly?

8. Commissioners are elected by each of the 172 presbyteries to represent them at the Assembly. There is parity between elders and ministers.

9. Who attends General Assembly? Our commissioners for the 221 st General Assembly were Ruling Elder Phyllis Winzenried and the Rev. Dave Burgess. Our Young Adult Advisory Delegate was Kayla Beasley from Ash Grove.

10. Who attends General Assembly? Presbytery and Synod leadership General Assembly leadership Those interested in certain items Those who want to experience the connectionalism

11. How do items get to General Assembly? 1.Sessions can write an overture to send to presbytery 2.Presbyteries can write an overture 3.Committees of General Assembly can send items

12. How to see first-hand the items considered at GA and the rationale for each item. www.pc-biz.org

13. What Happens After GA? Amendments to the Book of Order are voted upon by the presbyteries and must receive approval by a simple majority in order to be included. Our presbytery is voting on Feb. 28 at First, Branson. First and Calvary has four ruling elder commissioners.

14. What Happens After GA? Amendments to the Book of Confessions are voted upon by the presbyteries and must receive approval by 2/3 in order to be included and then must be voted on and approved by the following General Assembly.

15. What Happens After GA? Items for advisement, like divestment or studies, are sent to the appropriate committees of General Assembly for their work.

16. What do GA actions mean to the local church? Changes in the wording regarding marriage are not binding. Sessions always vote on weddings in the church and pastors always have discretion about whether to perform a wedding.

17. What do GA actions mean to the local church? Advisory votes on divestment and study of issues are never binding to a local church.

18. Other Places for Information www.jcpresbytery.com General Assembly in Brief www.pcusa.org