These last two chapters I have put together, because frankly I’m running out of time and running out of steam, reading coursebooks for three subjects. Dr Waters deals with the Offices of the Church and the Courts of the Church in these two chapters. Both are certainly worth more time and space but I will only put down the highlights for me..
The Offices of the Church are two… or three? That is the question. It seems that within Presbyterianism, there are differing camps on this subject, and well, historical debates remain unresolved. The question of whether ‘ministers’ are a separate office to ‘elders’ seems to be quite academic, but there is arguably slightly more flexibility with two offices (which Dr Waters supports, as reflected in the PCA’s Book of Church Order). But the roles of elders are fairly clear – to rule, to teach, to serve. There are two orders of elders who carry out these roles, with an emphasis on teaching for teaching elders (who have to undertake examination and theological study) and ruling elders (who oversee property and finance, and are not required to undertake theological training). However, in line with Scripture’s teaching, both orders teach, and are called to undertake pastoral duties of oversight.
The Courts of the church are organised so as to administer the enforcement of ‘judgments’ in accordance with Christ’s law, the Holy Scriptures. That a church body may ‘judge’ seems daunting to me, especially given the recent controversies surrounding church governance (both Catholic and Protestant) and the charge of non-transparency. Nevertheless, Waters makes it clear that the Courts do not legislate, but rather enforce with Christ’s authority the Scriptures that are for the Church’s growth and wellbeing. The church officers has no authority apart from Christ to do anything. If there is dissension, this is dealt with in one of two ways – the dissenter submits his will to the majority; or the dissenter may, after making reasonable attempts to debate and discuss the dissent, decide to withdraw from the court itself. At a local level, the court are sessions and presbyteries. Then, more broadly, there are Synods, and then at the highest level, the General assembly.
The Percolated Life 