2.01  A particular church is a congregation of professing Christians, together with their baptized children, who have entered into a covenant with each other to meet together regularly to worship God and study the word of God, to join together in a common witness to the gospel, and to engage in the good works to which Christians are called; and who have adopted a certain form of government.

2.10 Members of a Particular Church      Top
     2.11  The members of a particular church who are entitled to all rights and responsibilities of the church, consist of those persons who have confessed Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, entered into the church covenant, and received the sacrament of baptism.
     2.12  The session has responsibility to examine and instruct in church membership those who unite with a particular church.
     2.13  Children of believers are, through the covenant, entitled to the sacrament of baptism and thereby become members of the household of faith. Such children are to receive pastoral oversight, instruction, and the care of the church, with a view that they repent of sin, personally confess Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, and assume the full responsibilities of church membership.
     2.14  Baptized persons who have not confessed Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, even though they are adults, should continue to receive the watchful care and instruction of the church in the hope that they personally will own their faith.
     2.15  Unbaptized persons who have not confessed Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior are within the pastoral concern of the church in the hope that they may be led to repentance and to faith in Jesus Christ as Savior.

2.20 Jurisdiction Over Members of a Particular Church      Top
     2.21  A church member is under the jurisdiction of the session of the particular church to which he or she belongs.
     2.22  A letter of dismission from a particular church shall not be given to the church member but directed to another particular church of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church/Cumberland Presbyterian Church in America or that of another ecclesiastical body.
     2.23  The session of a particular church may receive a person who has confessed faith in Jesus Christ and been a member of another church by transfer of letter. If reasonable attempts to obtain a letter fail, the particular church may receive the person on reaffirmation of faith and notify the person's former church of its action. The same procedure may be used for churches whose policy is not to grant letters of dismission.
     2.24  A member dismissed by letter from a church of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church/ Cumberland Presbyterian Church in America shall be under the jurisdiction of the session granting the letter until notification of reception by the session of the church to which the letter is granted or until creditable knowledge is had by the session granting the letter of reception into some church.
     (Forms for Letters of Dismission and Certificates of Reception, see Constitution, Appendices 1 and 2 , respectively.)
     2.25  When a church member moves beyond the bounds of the particular church to which he or she belongs and neglects to request a letter of dismission or fails to retain the status of an active member, his or her name shall be entered on the church's roll of inactive members. Record of the transaction shall be made in the minutes of the session and the member shall be informed of the action by the session.
     2.26  When a person, for any reason, desires to cease to be a member of the church, the name of the person shall be removed from the membership roll providing no charges are pending against him or her or he or she is under no disciplinary action. The name shall not be removed from the membership roll, however, until an effort is made to counsel with the person.

2.30 Officers of a Particular Church      Top
     2.31  The officers of a particular church are the minister in charge, who is ordained to proclaim the gospel and administer the sacraments; the elders who are members of the session, who are elected and ordained as the representatives and leaders of the people; and the deacons who are members of the diaconate, who are elected and ordained to care for the poor and others in need.

2.40 Organization of a Particular Church      Top
     2.41  A particular church can be organized only by the authority of the presbytery. In considering the formation of a new church, the presbytery shall be involved in the planning. Upon approval of presbytery for the organization of the church any minister who is a member of presbytery may preside at the organization and perform all the duties required, except where a commission for that purpose shall have been appointed by presbytery. The new church shall not be located within three miles of an existing church of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church/Cumberland Presbyterian Church in America without the approval of presbytery.
     2.42  The steps in organizing a particular church are as follows:

a.		Letters of transfer, or testimonials of current church membership, shall be presented by those who are members of a church. Others may be admitted to membership on reaffirmation of faith or on confession of faith in Christ, the church covenant, baptism (or confirmation of baptism) and examination as necessary.
b.		These persons shall then be required to enter into covenant, by answering affirmatively the following question: Do you, in reliance upon God for strength, solemnly promise and covenant with God and each other that you will walk together as an organized church according to the government of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church/Cumberland Presbyterian Church in America; that you will support the gospel as God has prospered you; that you will maintain this church, not only with your gifts, but also with your support of its work by your efforts and prayers; that you will seek in its fellowship to glorify the name and further the cause of our Lord Jesus Christ; and that you will work to maintain the purity and harmony of the whole body?
c.		After this, the presiding minister shall say: I now declare that you are constituted a church according to the word of God and the government of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church/ Cumberland Presbyterian Church in America. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
d.		The members of the church shall proceed, with the presiding minister in charge, to determine the number of elders to be elected to constitute the session and the type of tenure to which they shall be elected and to elect elders. The ordination and installation of the elders may follow immediately or at a later date. At the option of the members, deacons may be elected, ordained, and installed at this time, at a subsequent congregational meeting, or not at all.
e.		The presiding minister, or the commission appointed by the presbytery, shall be responsible for reporting on the organizational service, including a recommendation that the newly organized church be enrolled as a constituent member, at the next regular meeting of the presbytery. The report should include the date of organization, location, names of those acting on behalf of presbytery to organize the congregation, number of charter members and the list of officers elected. (Forms for Admission of New Churches, see Constitution, Appendix 3).

2.50 Government of a Particular Church      Top
     2.51  Responsibility for the government of a particular church belongs to the session, which is composed of the minister in charge and the elders elected by the congregation and installed as members of the session. The session thus constituted is responsible to lead the members in all those ministries which belong to the church:

a.		Public worship, including praying, singing of praises, reading the scriptures, presenting tithes and offerings, preaching the word, and celebrating the sacraments;
b.		Christian education, including study of the scriptures for Christian growth;
c.		Activities of fellowship appropriate to the family of God;
d.		Personal witness to unbelievers and to those out of fellowship with the church;
e.		Visitation of the sick;
f.		Pastoral care of families, especially disturbed and broken families;
g.		Stewardship of time, talents, and money, and the care and use of the properties of the church;
h.		Exercise of discipline;
i.		Participation in the ministry of the church beyond the bounds of the local congregation;

and in such other ministries as appear needful. Leading the people in these ministries may be done by appointing them to serve with elders on various committees representing different areas of ministry and by directing them as individuals in the life of the church.
     2.52  In a particular church which is without a pastor, the elders who constitute the session are themselves responsible, within the limits of their offices, to lead the people in all the ministries that belong to the church.
     2.53  A congregational meeting of the members of a particular church shall be convened for the following purposes:

a.		To determine the type of tenure of office for elders and deacons;
b.		To nominate, elect, or accept the resignation of elders and deacons;
c.		To establish a quorum of the session or diaconate as less than a majority of the members;
d.		To recall an elder or deacon whose service is no longer acceptable to the church;
e.		Where state law or presbytery requires it, to authorize the sale and purchase of church property.

     2.54  A congregational meeting may be convened also to provide an opportunity for communication between the session and the congregation on other matters, but without the procedure of voting.
     2.55  A congregational meeting of the members of a church shall be held when authorized by the session, or at the request of 15% of the total membership of the church, or when directed by the presbytery. Notice of the meeting shall be given either by written notice to the entire membership at least one week before the meeting or by announcement on the three Sundays before the meeting, or by some other method which the session judges to be adequate notice. The minister in charge, or in a church without a pastor, a minister designated by presbytery, shall serve as moderator of the congregational meeting. The clerk of the session shall record the minutes of the meeting, which shall be approved at the next meeting of the session and made a part of its records. A quorum for a congregational meeting shall consist of those members present at the appointed time and place.

2.60 Ministers of the Word and Sacrament      Top
     2.61  The office of minister of word and sacrament is unique in the life of the church as to responsibility and usefulness. God calls persons and sets them apart for this ministry. The persons who fill this office should be sound in the faith, exemplary in conduct, and competent to perform the duties of the ministry. Persons who become ministers of the word and sacrament are due such respect as belongs to their office, but are not by virtue of their office more holy or righteous than other Christians. They share in the same vocation that belongs to all Christians to be witnesses to the gospel in word and deed. They differ from other Christians only with regard to the office to which they are called, which is their station in life.
     2.62  The person who fills the office of the ministry has in the scriptures different titles, expressive of various duties:
     pastor--who has oversight of the people and feeds them with spiritual food and administers the sacraments as signs of God's grace;
     minister--who serves Christ in all those ministries to people which belong to the church;
     elder or presbyter--who shares in the leadership and government of the church;
     evangelist--who bears the glad tidings of salvation through Jesus Christ, appealing to sinners to be reconciled to God;
     prophet--who urges people and nations to heed the word of God, warning of the consequences of disobedience;
     priest--who intercedes with God through prayer on behalf of others;
     preacher--who publicly proclaims the gospel of Christ;
     teacher--who explains the scriptures emphasizing the lessons essential to Christian growth.
     These titles do not confer privilege in the church nor designate different grades of office but indicate the scope of responsibilities that belong to the office of ministry.
     2.63  A minister who is called to be the pastor of a particular church is responsible to:

a.		lead the people in public worship;
b.		pray for and with them as their mouth to God;
c.		read the scriptures to the people and proclaim to them the word of God;
d.		administer the sacraments;
e.		bless the people from God;
f.		teach the scriptures to the children, youth, and adults;
g.		visit the people, especially the poor, the sick, the dying, and those with other critical needs;
h.		counsel with persons in their preparation for marriage;
i.		share in the personal witness of the church to unbelievers and those out of fellowship with the church;
j.		counsel with people, in light of the scriptures, about their personal needs and problems;
k.		counsel with disturbed and broken families;
l.		and with the elders who comprise the session, lead and govern the church in all its ministries.

     2.64  While the type of ministry most basic to the life of the church is that of a pastor, God has given different gifts to ministers of the word and sacrament and the church recognizes various types of ministry. Presbytery may authorize ministers to exercise their gifts not only as pastors of particular churches but as teachers of religion in various kinds of schools, editors of religious publications, chaplains to the military forces and to various types of institutions, missionaries, evangelists, counselors, administrators of church programs and institutions, directors of Christian education in particular churches, and as leaders in other fields of service directly related to the church. Presbytery shall authorize persons to perform such types of ministry through a service of worship in which the minister is commissioned to practice his or her ministry in one of these ways. In every type of ministry, the minister should seek appropriate ways to perform the duties as pastor, minister, presbyter, evangelist, prophet, priest, preacher, and teacher.

2.70 Elders      Top
     2.71  Elders are the immediate representatives of the people, elected by them to share with ministers in the government and leadership of the church. The elders who comprise the session share with the minister in charge in the pastoral oversight of the particular church.
     2.72  In caring for and leading the congregation which they serve, elders shall be particularly attentive to persons who have not confessed Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, those who are spiritually weak, and those who need to be instructed in the faith. They shall visit the people in their homes, praying with and for them, especially for the sick, those who mourn, and others in need. They should encourage the people by word and example to share in the worship, study, witness and service of the church through a faithful stewardship of their time, talents, and money. They should inform the pastor of any concerns that need his or her attention.
     2.73  Persons who fill the office of elder may be male or female, young or old. Elders share in the same vocation that belongs to all Christians to be witnesses to the gospel, but the vocation of this office places an additional responsibility of leadership upon them. They should exemplify the gospel by their good character, sound faith, wisdom, maturity of judgment, discretion, conversation, knowledge of the doctrine and government of the church, and competency to perform the duties of the office.
     2.74  Persons who accept the responsibilities of the office of elder should engage in such study and preparation as are appropriate to the office, and during their tenure on the session shall continue to study in order better to perform their duties.

2.80 Deacons      Top
     2.81  Deacons are elected by the people and ordained to lead the church in its care of the poor and others in need, administering the funds provided by the church for these purposes. This ministry is given to the church by Jesus Christ, who came to serve rather than to be served. Through the care of the poor and others in need, the church gives witness to the compassionate love of God shown in Jesus Christ. The deacons shall lead and coordinate activities of persons, committees, and groups in ministering to the poor, the elderly, the sick, orphans, refugees, prisoners, and others in distress. Because the work of the deacons pertains to the whole church, the deacons shall make periodic reports to the session.
     2.82  In churches desiring to do so, the session may grant to the diaconate power to formulate budgets and assume other financial responsibilities.
     2.83  Persons who fill the office of deacon may be male or female, young or old. Deacons shall have sound judgment, good character, compassion for those in need, availability to people, and a deep abiding faith in Jesus Christ, whose example in ministry they follow. Persons who accept the responsibility of the office of deacon shall engage in such study and preparation as are appropriate to the office, and during their tenure on the diaconate shall continue to study in order better to perform their duties.
     2.84  The desirability for a diaconate is to be determined by each particular church. In churches where it is impractical to create a diaconate, the duties of the office of deacon shall be assumed by the elders. If a diaconate is created, no person shall serve simultaneously on the session and the diaconate.

2.90 Election, Ordination, and Installation of Elders and Deacons      Top
     2.91  In the organization of a particular church, the elders and deacons shall be nominated and elected by the members participating in the organization. In all other cases, it is proper and advisable for the session to nominate, or to cause to be chosen a committee of the congregation at large to nominate, to the congregation at a meeting called to elect elders and deacons, persons to fill these offices. Other nominations may be made by other members of the church, with the approval of the persons being nominated. The vote may be taken on the nominees at the meeting in which they are presented or at a subsequent congregational meeting. Unless by acclamation, the vote shall be by secret ballot, with a majority of votes cast necessary for election. When there are more nominees than positions to be filled, those receiving the highest number of votes are elected.
     2.92  When persons have been elected to the office of elder or deacon, the session shall appoint a day for their ordination and/or installation. Persons previously ordained shall be installed only. On the appointed day, with the congregation assembled for worship, the session shall convene for the service of ordination. The minister in charge shall state in a concise manner the nature and responsibilities of the office of elder/deacon and describe the Christian conduct to be maintained. Having done this, the minister in charge shall propose to the candidate(s) the following questions to be answered in the affirmative:

I.		Do you believe the scriptures of the Old and New Testaments to be the inspired word of God, the authority for faith and practice?
II.		Do you sincerely receive and adopt the Confession of Faith of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church/Cumberland Presbyterian Church in America as containing the essential doctrines taught in the holy scriptures?
III.		Do you approve of and promise to uphold the government of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church/Cumberland Presbyterian Church in America?
IV.		Do you promise to promote the peace, unity, and purity of the church?
V.		(To elders) In participating as an elder in the judicatories of the church, do you promise to share in a responsible way in the decisions that are made, to abide by those decisions, and to promote the welfare of the church?
VI.		Do you accept the office of elder/deacon in this church, and promise faithfully to discharge all the duties thereof as God may enable You?

     The installation of previously ordained elders/deacons shall consist in asking Question VI.
     These questions being answered in the affirmative, the minister shall put the following question to the congregation:
     Do you, the members of the church, acknowledge and receive these elders/deacons, and do you promise to give them such encouragement, support, and respect as belongs to the office?
     This question having been answered in the affirmative, the candidates shall kneel. The members of the session shall gather around them. As the minister offers an appropriate prayer, the elders shall, by the laying on of hands, set the candidates apart to the office of elder/deacon.
     Then, with all standing, the minister shall say:
     I now declare that you have been regularly elected, ordained, and installed elders/deacons in this church, agreeable to the word of God and according to the government of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church/Cumberland Presbyterian Church in America. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
     Members of the session shall take the newly installed officers by the hand and say:
     We give you the hand of Christian fellowship to take part in this office with us.
     The minister shall then deliver to the newly installed officers and the congregation an appropriate charge.
     2.93  Persons may be elected to the session/diaconate for an indefinite period or for definite terms on a rotation basis. In the organization of a church, one type of tenure shall be adopted for the session/diaconate. In an existing church, a change in the type of tenure shall be by actions to dissolve the session/diaconate, install the new type of tenure, and elect members to the session/diaconate according to the new type of tenure. Such actions shall be taken by the congregation in a congregational meeting. If a particular church chooses to elect elders/deacons for a definite term on a rotation basis, the term of office shall be for not less than three years, except when classes are established in the institution of the rotation plan or in cases of unexpired terms.
     2.94  If members of the session/diaconate fail to attend half of the stated meetings in a given year without excuse, or if for other non-disciplinary reasons they become unacceptable to the church in the performance of their duties, the session may convene a congregational meeting to consider their removal from office by recall. Before such action is taken, however, opportunity shall be given to the persons involved to address the congregation.
     2.95  When elders/deacons move to such a distance that they are unable to fulfill the duties of the office or to participate regularly in the worship, study, witness, and service of the congregation, the session may recommend to the congregation that their tenure of office be terminated. If an elder/deacon is dismissed from the church by letter, the tenure of office is terminated automatically, and this fact shall be recorded by the session in its minutes.
     2.96  When elders/deacons are admitted by letter to membership in another church, they may become members of the session/diaconate in that church only by election and installation.