Book of Order

Preface

The three elements of the Book of Order of the Evangelical Assembly of Presbyterian Churches shall be the “Book of Government”, the “Book of Worship”, and the “Book of Discipline”.

Book of Government

I. Introduction

Jesus Christ is the sole head of the church. Authority is exercised vicariously by officials appointed to the task by the prayerful choosing of members in this body of believers.

II. Mission Statement

The Evangelical Assembly of Presbyterian Churches exists to:

Serve and glorify God.
Prepare the way for God’s Kingdom on earth.
Serve in the ministry of reconciliation, making true peace through Christ.
Act as a spiritual and administrative center for churches worldwide.
Develop resources for improving Biblical education and Christian service.
Provide support and counseling to Ministers and missionaries.
Carry out the Great Commission of Jesus Christ, preaching the Gospel to all nations and peoples.

III. Church

The Church catholic broadly refers to the entire body of believers who profess faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, regardless of denomination and location of worship. There are many denominations that exist within the Church catholic.

The particular church refers to a smaller body of believers gathered in a single location to worship together. The particular church may have a set meeting location and name, and belong to a denomination.

Each particular church belonging to the Evangelical Assembly of Presbyterian Churches is to operate according to the rules set forth in this Constitution.

IV. Membership

A believer shall be known as a Baptized Member after receiving the Sacrament of Baptism.

An Active Member shall have been baptized, and shall continuously participate in all church services and meetings.

An Inactive Member is a previously Baptized or Active member who does not continue to participate regularly in church services and meetings.

V. Officers

The New Testament instructs the church in establishing three offices, Episcopos (“overseer”), Presbyturos (“elders”), and Diakonos (“servants”). We carry these forth to the modern day in the following particular church offices:

A Minister of the Word and Sacrament should have proper theological and biblical training, and be able to minister the Word and Sacraments to church members.

An Elder should be a church member in good standing, able to assist the Minister in performing all duties related to teaching and to ministering of Sacraments.

A Deacon should be a church member in good standing, able to assist in all capacities for better functioning of the particular church.

VI. Congregation

A congregation consists of all persons on the baptized and active rolls of the church. All persons listed on the active rolls of each particular church may vote in the congregational meetings.

VII. Church Property

The property held by each particular church, presbytery, or by the General Assembly, is held in trust, for the use of and to benefit the Evangelical Assembly of Presbyterian Churches.

VIII. The Church Session

The Session is a meeting of a particular church, composed of the minister, co-pastors, associate pastors, and elders of that church.

IX. The Presbytery

The Presbytery is a meeting of churches within a defined area, composed of ministers from each church, and of two elders elected from each church.

X. The General Assembly

The General Assembly is a meeting of all Presbyteries in the Evangelical Assembly of Presbyterian Churches, composed of representatives elected from among the ministers and elders of each presbytery.

XI. Ordination, Certification and Commissioning

Ministers of the Word and Sacrament, Elders, and Deacons shall be ordained following their commissioning or election. Ministers shall be ordained through ceremony performed by the appropriate Presbytery, while Elders and Deacons shall be ordained by ceremony performed by their respective particular churches.

XII. Amendments

Amendments to this Constitution may be made by a two-thirds majority vote of all Presbyteries.

Book of Worship

I. Introduction

The purpose of the Book of Worship is to provide instruction on holding worship services, and to expound on the meanings therein, to all EAPC churches and church members.

II. Elements of Worship

Worship shall include the following elements:

Kerygma (Proclamation of the Word of God)
Koinonia (Fellowship)
Diakonia (Service)

III. General Order of Sunday Worship

Call to service
Prayer
Song
Proclamation of the Word
Offering
Song
Concluding of service

IV. Worship for Special Occasions

Other worship that may be occasioned, such as that for Christmas Day or Easter Sunday, shall be done according to the guidance of the Ministers of each particular church in keeping with the standards set forth in the Book of Worship.

V. Marriages

Holy Matrimony is an institution ordained by God, shall be performed exclusively between one man and one woman, and is a life-long and lasting testimony to the love of God within the believers of the church. Matrimonial services will be held in accordance with the standards set forth in the Book of Worship.

VI. Funerals

Funerals are to be held focused not on death, but on the everlasting life promised by the Lord Jesus Christ, according to the ceremonial standards set forth in the Book of Worship.

VII. Sacraments

The Sacraments, Baptism and the Lord’s Supper, are holy rituals performed as signs of the Grace of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Book of Discipline

I. Introduction

Discipline is an exercise of the authority given to the church by the Lord Jesus Christ, in order to instruct and guide its members. We set forth the procedures that shall order the ecclesiastical judicial system of the Evangelical Assembly of Presbyterian Churches.

II. Jurisdiction

The judicial system of the church shall have authority only over its members.

III. Trial

The trial shall proceed according to the standards set forth in the Book of Discipline.

IV. Disciplinary Sanctions

Disciplinary Sanctions will be made in accordance with the standards set forth in the Book of Discipline.