PT520 CHURCH POLITY
SYLLABUS
REFORMED THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY
CHARLOTTE
FALL 2012
Dr. Rod Culbertson, Jr.
Associate Professor of Practical Theology
rculbertson@rts.edu
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Syllabus for PT520: Church Polity
REFORMED THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY - CHARLOTTE
FALL 2012
ROD CULBERTSON, JR.
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF PRACTICAL THEOLOGY
COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course will help students examine the biblical data relative to
church government and the Book of Church Order. The organization and function of church
courts, including discipline and appeals, are considered, and parliamentary procedure is
emphasized.
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
COGNITIVE (KNOW/UNDERSTAND):
1. The student will understand the three types of church government and be able to give a
biblical basis for the Presbyterian form of church government.
2. The student will understand why proper church polity is helpful in leading the local church
and its session meetings.
3. The student will gain a greater understanding and wisdom in the development of church
officers and leaders.
4. The student will understand the implications of orderly oversight regarding church
discipline, worship and the sacraments.
5. The student will gain a basic understanding of parliamentary procedure and the work of
church courts.
AFFECTIVE (FEEL/MOTIVATION):
1. The student will gain a greater respect and appreciation for the various forms of church
government, particularly the Presbyterian form of church government.
2. The student will gain a greater sense of the need for functional church government.
3. The student will grow in confidence in leading a session and working in the courts of the
church.
4. The student will grow in conviction regarding the maintenance of the purity and peace of
the church through informal and formal means of church discipline.
5. The student will grow in confidence in using proper parliamentary procedure.
VOLITIONAL (DO/COMPETENCIES):
1. The student will experience church polity in a real life setting by attending at least one
meeting of a church court or leadership meeting.
2. The student will do a report on a practical area of polity, drawing conclusions and making
application to the field of study.
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3. The student will walk through parliamentary procedure and gain initial exposure as to how
to run a session or congregational meeting.
Course Objectives Related to MDiv* Student Learning Outcomes
Course: PT520 Church Polity
Campus: Charlotte
Professor: Dr. Rod Culbertson
Date: Fall 2011
MDiv* Student Learning Outcomes
In order to measure the success of the MDiv curriculum, RTS has defined
the following as the intended outcomes of the student learning process.
Each course contributes to these overall outcomes. This rubric shows the
contribution of this course to the MDiv outcomes.
Rubric




Mini-Justification
Strong
Moderate
Minimal
None
*As the MDiv is the core degree at RTS, the MDiv rubric will be used in this syllabus.
Articulation
(oral &
written)
Scripture
Reformed
Theology
Sanctification
Broadly understands and articulates knowledge, both
oral and written, of essential biblical, theological,
historical, and cultural/global information, including
details, concepts, and frameworks.
Significant knowledge of the original meaning of
Scripture. Also, the concepts for and skill to research
further into the original meaning of Scripture and to
apply Scripture to a variety of modern circumstances.
(Includes appropriate use of original languages and
hermeneutics; and integrates theological, historical,
and cultural/global perspectives.)
Significant knowledge of Reformed theology and
practice, with emphasis on the Westminster
Standards.
Demonstrates a love for the Triune God that aids the
student’s sanctification.
Desire for
Worldview
Burning desire to conform all of life to the Word of
God.
Winsomely
Reformed
Embraces a winsomely Reformed ethos. (Includes an
appropriate ecumenical spirit with other Christians,
especially Evangelicals; a concern to present the
Gospel in a God-honoring manner to non-Christians;
and a truth-in-love attitude in disagreements.)
Ability to preach and teach the meaning of Scripture
to both heart and mind with clarity and enthusiasm.
Preach
Worship
Knowledgeable of historic and modern Christianworship forms; and ability to construct and skill to
lead a worship service.
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Minimal
Minimal
Minimal
Minimal
Interacts with topics of polity by
writing a paper based on scriptural
principles.
Interacts with topics of polity
based on scripture, with options for
some exegetical work
Some consideration of Reformed
ecclesiology
Maybe a small emphasis on
attitudes necessary for church
discipline and working with others
in the church context
None
Minimal
Gracious approach to the various
biblically based positions on church
government
None
Minimal
Required reading of the PCA Book of
Church Order in the area of worship;
training in the sacraments is covered
Shepherd
Church/World
Ability to shepherd the local congregation: aiding in
spiritual maturity; promoting use of gifts and callings;
and encouraging a concern for non-Christians, both
in America and worldwide.
Ability to interact within a denominational context,
within the broader worldwide church, and with
significant public issues.
REQUIRED TEXTBOOKS:
Strong
Moderate
Pastoral oversight of members and
need for shepherding is addressed
in lectures and reading
Polity addresses the relational
aspect of working with other
church members
(Approximately 500 pages)
1. PCA Book of Church Order. PCA CEP, 188 pp. (white pages only)
Available online on the PCA website: http://www.pcanet.org/BCO/
2. Handbook of Church Discipline: A Right and Privilege of Every Church Member
(Jay Adams Library) by Jay E. Adams, 116 pp. (Paperback - Nov 30, 1986)
3. The Elder And His Work by David Dickson, George Kennedy McFarland, and
Philip Graham Ryken, 131 pp. (Paperback - Jul 15, 2004)
4. In addition to the above requirements, the student is asked to read 65 pages
from any of the books in the Reserve List below. Reserve List reading will be
reported on the final exam. NOTE: If your church tradition is Baptist or
Anglican and you would like to do reading in polity from your respective
tradition, please request the privilege to do so from the professor, who will be
glad to approve appropriate reading in lieu of the required 65 pages of
Recommended Reading on Reserve list.
RECOMMENDED READING (ON RESERVE) (Highly Recommended) (65 pages):
1. Biblical Church Discipline by Daniel E. Wray (Paperback - Dec 1978)
2. I Am Reminded an Autobiographical, Anecdotal History of the Presbyterian Church
in America by Kennedy Smartt (Paperback - 1998).
3. Order in the Offices: Essays defining the roles of church officers by Mark R. Brown
(Paperback - 1993) Classic Presbyterian Government Resources.
4. Paradigms in Polity: Classic Readings in Reformed and Presbyterian Church
Government by David W. Hall and Joseph H. Hall (Paperback - Aug 1994)
5. Questions on Presbyterian Theology and Polity, Sprinkle Jr., Robert
http://www.cepbookstore.com/p-2343-questions-on-presbyterian-theo.aspx
6. Recovering Biblical Manhood and Womanhood: A Response to Evangelical
Feminism by John Piper and Wayne Grudem (Paperback - Aug 8, 2006)
7. The Peacemaker: A Biblical Guide to Resolving Personal Conflict by Ken Sande
(Paperback - Feb 1, 2004)
8. Who Runs the Church?: 4 Views on Church Government (Counterpoints: Church
Life) (Sep 1, 2004) by Steven B. Cowan, Stanley N. Gundry, Peter Toon, et al.
9. With a Shepherd's Heart: Reclaiming the Pastoral Office of Elder by John R.
Sittema (Paperback - Jun 1996)
RECOMMENDED LISTENING:
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The link below provides the 2009 discussion between Tim Keller and Ligon Duncan on the issue
of women’s roles in the church, women deaconesses and the ordination question. This is a very
helpful discussion for both sides on the issue.
http://byfaithonline.com/page/media/podcast/questions-and-answers-about-deaconesses
SUGGESTED READING:
1. Anyabwile, Thabiti M.What is a Healthy Church Member? Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2008
2. Berghoef and DeKoster. 1979. The Elders Handbook. Christian’s Library Press, 285 pp.
http://www.amazon.com/Elders-Handbook-Practical-ChurchLeaders/dp/093487400X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1254317906&sr=1-1
3. Bilezikian, Gilbert. Beyond Sex Roles. Baker, 306 pp.
http://www.amazon.com/Beyond-Sex-Roles-WomansChurch/dp/0801031532/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1254317931&sr=1-1
4. Clark, Stephen B. Man and Woman in Christ: An Examination of the Roles of Men and
Women in Light of Scripture and the Social Sciences (Hardcover - Jun 1980)
5. Clements, Don. Historical Roots Of PCA by Clements, Don
http://www.cepbookstore.com/p-3655-historical-roots-of-pca.aspx
6. Clowney, Edmund P. Living in Christ’s Church, Suwanee, GA: Great Commission
Publications, 1996
7. Davis, Dale Ralph. The House that Jesus Built: a welcome to the Church, Fearn, RossShire, Scotland: Christian Focus, 2007
8. Eubanks, J.E. Jr. Grafted into the Vine: Rethinking Biblical Church Membership
Doulos Resources: www.doulousresources.org
9. Evans, Mary. 1983. Women in the Bible, InterVarsity Press, 133 pp.
http://www.amazon.com/Woman-Bible-Overview-CrucialPassages/dp/0877849781/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1254317975&sr=1-1
10. Foh, Susan. 1979. Women and the Word of God;261 pp.
http://www.amazon.com/Women-Word-God-ResponseBiblical/dp/0875522688/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1254317999&sr=1-1
11. Gundry, Patricia. Woman Be Free.
http://www.amazon.com/Woman-Be-Free-PatriciaGundry/dp/188216900X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1254318023&sr=1-1
12. Habig, Brian & Newsom, Les. The Enduring Community: embracing the priority of the
Church by Jackson, MS: Reformed University Press, 2001
13. Hurley, James B. 1981. Man and Woman in Biblical Perspective. Zondervan, 271 pp.
http://www.amazon.com/Woman-Biblical-Perspective-JamesHurley/dp/1579102840/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1254317773&sr=8-1
14. Jumper, Andrew. 1961. Chosen to Serve – The Deacon. John Knox Press, 132 pp.
http://www.amazon.com/Chosen-Serve-Practical-OperationPresbyterian/dp/B000K7ALAC/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1254318065&sr=1
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15. Jumper, Andrew. 1961. The Nobel Task – The Elder. John Knox Press, 162.
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16. Knight, George. New Testament Teaching on the Role of Relationship of Men and Women.
http://www.amazon.com/Testament-Teaching-Role-RelationshipWomen/dp/0801053838/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1254318135&sr=1-4
17. Leeman, Jonathan. The Church and the Surprising Offense of God’s Love Wheaton, IL:
Crossway, 2010
18. Lingle, Walter L. & Kuykendall, John W. 1978. Presbyterians – Their History and
Beliefs. John Know Press, 108 pp.
http://www.amazon.com/Presbyterians-History-Walter-LLingle/dp/B001V6XFHM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1254318171&sr=1-1
19. Mack, Wayne A. and Swavely, David. Life in the Father’s House: a Member’s Guide to
the Local Church. Philipsburg, NJ: P&R Publishing, 2007
20. MacNair, Donald J. A Practical Guide to the Book of Church Order of the Presbyterian
Church in America by http://www.cepbookstore.com/p-3655-historical-roots-of-pca.aspx
21. Nash, Ronald H. 2003. Great Divides. Academic Renewal Press, 222 pp.
http://www.amazon.com/Great-Divides-Understanding-ControversiesChristians/dp/0788099159/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1254318204&sr=1-1
22. Pape, Dorothy R. 1976. In Search of God’s Ideal Woman. IVPress, 361 pp.
http://www.amazon.com/search-Gods-ideal-womanexamination/dp/0877848548/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1254318228&sr=1-1
23. Ryrie, Charles C.1958. The Role of Women in the Church. 146 pp.
http://www.amazon.com/Role-Women-Church-CharlesRyrie/dp/0802473717/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1254318648&sr=1-1
24. Schweizer, Eduard. 1959. Church Order in the New Testament. Wipf & Stock Publishers,
230 pp. http://www.amazon.com/Church-Order-Testament-EduardSchweizer/dp/B001OXHXRA/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1254317808&sr=1-2
25. Strauch, Alexander. 1995. Biblical Eldership. Lewis & Roth Publishers, 295 pp.
http://www.amazon.com/Biblical-Eldership-Restoring-RightfulChurch/dp/0936083158/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1254317841&sr=1-1
26. Strauch, Alexander. 1992. The New Testament Deacon. Lewis & Roth Publishers, 159 pp.
http://www.amazon.com/New-Testament-Deacon-ChurchsMinister/dp/0936083077/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1254317876&sr=1-1
27. Wray, Daniel E. The Importance of the Local Church. Carlisle, PA: Banner of Truth, 1981
HISTORY OF THE PCA:
1. Cannada, Robert C. and W. Jack Williamson, The Historic Polity of the PCA,
(Greenville, SC: A Press, 1997).
2. Kornegay, Jerry, editor, Living History of the Presbyterian Church in America, (St.
Louis, MO: The PCA Historical Center, 1994).
3. Clements, Don K., The Historical Roots of the Presbyterian Church in America.
Narrows, VA: Natokos Press, 2006.
4. Lucas, Sean, On Being Presbyterian. P&R, 2007
5. Richards, John Edward, The Historical Birth of the Presbyterian Church in America.
(Liberty Hill, SC: The Liberty Press, 1987), 452pp., indexed.
6. Settle, Paul G., To God All Praise and Glory: 1973 to 1998 - The First 25 Years,
(Atlanta, GA: PCA Administrative Committee, 1998), 94pp., indexed.
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7. Smartt, Kennedy, I Am Reminded: An Autobiographical Anecdotal History of the
PCA, 228pp., indexed.
8. Smith, Frank Joseph, The History of the Presbyterian Church in America: Silver
Anniversary Edition. (Lawrenceville, GA: Presbyterian Scholars Press, 1999), 607pp,
indexed.
9. Smith, Morton, How is the Gold Become Dim http://www.amazon.com/How-GoldBecome-DimLamentations/dp/B003SA9JTC/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1322691906&s
r=1-1
10. Denominational Web site: http://www.pcanet.org/
REQUIREMENTS AND EVALUATION:
I. Class attendance and discussion.
You will be expected to attend class and participate in the class discussion, especially as we
interact with the textbooks and assigned reading, as well as the required papers. Excessive
absences could be detrimental to your final grade.
II. Reading (15% of course grade):
Reading is required and the student will be graded through an honor system approach.
III. Papers (60% of course grade)
Two short papers are required for the course. Papers must be double-spaced, 12 point/Times New
Roman typeset with standard margins.
1. Church Court Visit:
Length: 4 pages
Sometime during the semester (earlier is better; due November 23), attend a Session or
Presbytery or Congregational Meeting or a parallel/similar leadership meeting held by your
church leaders (session, consistory or ruling board) or held by your designated regional body
of churches (presbytery, synod or association). This assignment is intended to expose you to
polity meetings that you might otherwise not see. If you are planning to do this with your
church/pastor, please arrange it well ahead of time, gaining both the pastor’s and the session’s
permission, as the session meetings are normally held only once per month and presbytery
meetings are held only once per quarter annually. Begin the process now! If you do not have
a present church affiliation, you can attend with a classmate, friend or in a group, as long as
those leading the meeting know that you are coming and attending the meeting.
In addition to the meeting, interact with your pastor or a church leader about what you
experienced and ask any questions which you might have about the meeting. Document the
meeting with the pastor by giving his name and the date, time and place of the meeting.
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Write a four page-paper emphasizing the following:
a. Give a summary of the meeting,
b. Report on observations you made (excluding details of a sensitive nature) such as:
the agenda, issues discussed, interactions, leadership, conflict and resolution,
organization of the meeting, decisions rendered, etc.
c. Give a clear reaction to what you saw and heard. Answer questions such as these:
What did you like about the meeting? Dislike? Was there anything new that you
learned? Any surprises or anything unusual that you experienced? Is there any
way in which this meeting could have been improved? What questions do you still
have about your church’s form of government?
d. In what ways did your pastoral interaction assist you?
NOTE (OPTION): If you have served as a pastor with elders or as a ruling elder (on a session),
you should drop this assignment and do a second paper on a topic from the section below
(Short Polity Paper).
Due: November 15.
2. Short Polity Paper (Choose one of the following four OPTIONS):
Length: 6 pages
I.
Form of Church Government Debate
Using Scripture, church history and tradition, pragmatic considerations and any
number of resources (references) you wish, explain, describe and debate,
compare and contrast the three (or four) positions on church polity, giving
strengths and weaknesses, potential usages and problems for each. Explain
why you hold the position or view you personally have chosen (or prefer) in
regard to church polity.
II.
Character and Qualifications of Church Officers
Using Scripture and any resources (references) you wish, do an analysis of the
qualifications of church officers, primarily focusing upon the Pastoral Epistles.
Explain how you would apply what you have learned in a local church setting
or environment. Practical principles of discipleship, leadership development
and training would be appropriate. Exegetical work in the passages is
acceptable, as long as application to local church polity and ministry is
included.
III.
Church Discipline
Consider a church conflict situation (real or hypothetical) that you might face
or have to deal with in the ministry. (If real, please change the names and
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avoid indiscretion regarding the parties involved). Describe the problem, the
parties involved and the relevant issues. Write out or outline a plan of action
with (stated) Scriptural support for your “pastoral” strategy. How will you go
about trying to solve this problem and whom else will you involve in the
process? Give steps to take, depending upon the response of the involved
parties (i.e., explain what route you would take if decisions are made in
agreement to or disagreement with the discipline carried out at any stage in the
process). Make some concluding remarks about your case.
IV.
Role of Women in Church Leadership
Examine Biblical evidence for the principle of headship as related to women in
ministry and how they may or may not function in ordained or non-ordained
offices, worship services and/or teaching and leadership responsibilities. Give
priority to Biblical teaching, but feel free to explain arguments from church
tradition which impact the issues involved. Consider how your views and
convictions will be explained to those in your future (or present) ministry or
church.
V.
Other Polity or Book of Church Order Topics
Choose from one of the following topics covered in the PCA Book of Church
Order: Worship, Church Discipline, the Sacraments, Ordination. Do a Bible
study or modified research paper of your choosing. Get written approval for
your topic from the professor prior to beginning the assignment. Study and
analyze the topic, draw conclusions and make application to local church life
and ministry.
Due: October 4.
IV. Final Exam (25% of course grade)
The final exam will be a comprehensive, written exam that will cover content from all of the
lectures and all of the reading (general concepts). Concepts related to polity history, church
offices and qualifications, the Book of Church Order and parliamentary procedure will be
specifically covered, among other matters.
Due: Exam Week
POLICY ON CHEATING AND PLAGIARISM: Cheating is the use of another person’s work
on behalf of your own work, with the assumption being that it is your work. The MLA Handbook
for Writers of Research Papers says, “To plagiarize is to give the impression that you have written
or thought something that you have in fact borrowed from someone else.” Plagiarism is the use
of ideas, information and content from a particular source without giving credit to that source by
footnoting the source or accounting for it in a bibliography. Cheating will result in an automatic
zero (0) grade for the assignment, paper or exam involved. Plagiarism, whether intentional or
unintentional, is considered academic theft. The RTS academic consequences of plagiarism are
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as follows: 1) First offense: The student must rewrite the paper and receive no better than a
passing “D” grade for it. 2) Second offense: The student fails the entire course.
POLICY ON LATE WORK: Any work turned in late and without either a written excuse or
previous permission granted by the professor will be docked one point/day for that assignment.
POLICY ON GRAMMAR AND SPELL CHECK: Any work turned in which appears to lack
“proofing” or displays poor grammar will receive a small penalty affecting the grade.
POLICY ON INTERNET USAGE (from the RTS/Charlotte Student Handbook): Students
are expected to conduct themselves at all times as mature believers. Godly behavior, expected of
all Christians, is especially required of those who are preparing themselves to become ministers of
the Word. Classroom manners should reflect this maturity. Students should be respectful of
professors, attend all class periods, and hand in assignments on time. Classroom etiquette also
includes leaving cell phones turned off, refraining from surfing the Internet and laptop
computer games and talking to your neighbor during lectures.
PT520 CHURCH POLITY
Reformed Theological Seminary-Charlotte
Fall 2012 SCHEDULE
Dr. Rod Culbertson, Jr.
Associate Professor of Practical Theology
Week Date
Topic
1
8/23
Introduction – Biblical and Theological Basis for Church Government
2
8/30
Biblical and Theological Basis for Church Government
Read: PCA Book of Church Order, Chapters 1-3
3
9/06
Practical Uses of Polity in the Local Church
Read: PCA Book of Church Order, Chapters 4-6
4
9/13
Ruling Elders: Development, Selection, Training and Leading
Dr. Mark Ross, Christ Covenant PCA, Charlotte, NC
Read: PCA Book of Church Order, Chapters 10-15
Read: Dickson, The Elder and His Work, pp.9-63
5
9/20
Session Meetings: Leading and Moderating
Read: PCA Book of Church Order, Chapters 47-58; Appendices A-E
6
9/27
The Book of Church Order: Worship and The Sacraments: Communion
Read: Dickson, The Elder and His Work, pp. 64-131
Read: PCA Book of Church Order, Chapters 7-8
10
7
10/04
Deacons: Development, Selection, Training and Leading
Dr. Mark Ross, Christ Covenant PCA, Charlotte, NC
>Short Polity Paper DUE
10/11
READING WEEK
8
10/18
The Book of Church Order: Church Discipline
Read: Adams, Handbook of Church Discipline
Read: PCA Book of Church Order, Chapters 9, 27-34
9
10/25
The Book of Church Order: Church Discipline
Read: PCA Book of Church Order, Chapters 35-46; Appendices G, I
10
11/01
The Book of Church Order: Worship and The Sacraments: Baptism
11
11/08
Parliamentary Procedure
12
11/15
Women in Ministry
Read: PCA Book of Church Order, Chapters 59-63; Appendix H
>Church Court Visit Report (or Optional Paper) DUE
11/22
THANKSGIVING
11/29
Brief History of the PCA
Subscription Issues/Presbytery and General Assembly Operations
12/08-13
FINAL EXAM
13
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12