While chapter two of the Foundations of Presbyterian Polity, “The Church and Its Confessions,” explores the theological affirmations that constitute us as a particular denomination, articulated in our confession of faith, the Book of Confessions, chapter three of the Foundations section leads with two sections. These explore two sets of principles that shape our life together: historic principles of church order and principles of church government. These sets of principles articulate basic convictions about how our denomination functions. They are a step between the theological affirmations made in the Book of Confessions and the more detailed instructions found in what follows in the rest of the Book of Order.
One marker of the shift from theological affirmation to functional convictions is a change in the documents that make up these two sections. The confessional documents named in chapter two are drawn from across the history of the Christian church and from around the world. The functional convictions in chapter three are articulated in two documents written and published by Presbyterians in the United States. The two documents were written and published within a few years of one another in the late 18th century.
The first section of chapter three, “Historic Principles of Church Order” (F-3.01), quotes a document from 1788, the year before the first General Assembly in the United States. Eight principles of church order are cataloged (F-3.0101–F-3.0108).
The first two historic principles seek to balance the individual Christian and Christians gathered into a church “or union or association of particular churches” (F-3.0102). Individual Christians have a right to “private judgment, in all matters that respect religion” (F-3.0101). This passage quotes and builds on the still-powerful words of the Westminster Confession: “God alone is Lord of the conscience, and hath left it free from the doctrines and commandments of [people] which are in anything contrary to his Word, or beside it, in matters of faith or worship” (F-3.0101a and Book of Confessions 6.109).
All are to be free to make their own judgments in two ways. First, we are each to be free from efforts to compel us to think or act in ways that are either contrary to the Word of God or that are not decided by the Word. Second, we strongly reject any effort to use the coercive power of the state to compel us to affirm certain religious beliefs or to act in religiously required ways. “We do not even wish to see any religious constitution aided by the civil power, further than may be necessary for protection and security, and at the same time be equal and common to all others” (F-3.0101b).
So, we strongly affirm the right of individuals to be free from coercion in matters that are not settled by the Word of God. At the same time, we affirm the right of believers gathered in religious organizations freely to determine how they will organize themselves: “Every Christian Church, or union or association of particular churches, is entitled to declare the terms of admission into its communion, and the qualifications of its ministers and members, as well as the whole system of its internal government …” (F-3.0102). Indeed, the passage goes on to acknowledge that groups exercising this right “may, notwithstanding, err, in making the terms of communion either too lax or too narrow; yet, even in this case they do not infringe upon the liberty or the rights of others, but only make an improper use of their own” (F-3.0102). They do not infringe because anyone who finds that a Christian group has not made good use of this right is free to leave that group and find another.
For Reflection
- Which of the historic principles of church order do you find most helpful as you serve as a leader in the church? Why?
- Which of the historic principles is most helpful to the present moment in the life of your congregation, your presbytery and the PC(USA)?
Barry Ensign-George is a teaching elder in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). He has served as a pastor in Iowa and at the denominational level in the Office of Theology & Worship.
Throughout 2025, monthly Regarding Ruling Elders articles will focus on the Foundations of Presbyterian Polity as included in our Book of Order. Ruling elders can benefit from these reflections as they consider their own ministries and call to serve as leaders in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).
© 2025 Barry Ensign-George
Work licensed for publication in “Regarding Ruling Elders: A Monthly Series for Serving Faithfully.” Congregations and mid councils may print copies for educational use. Permission is needed for any other use, including copying and reprinting.
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