by Daniel L. Sonnenberg

Following are questions and answers from the EPC Book of Order that I used in preparing for ordination exams in the Evangelical Presbyterian Church.

I. THE BOOK OF GOVERNMENT

1. What is the Constitution of the EPC? Preface

WESTMINSTER STANDARDS, BOOK OF ORDER, ESSENTIALS OF OUR FAITH

2. What does the Book of Order consist of? Preface

BOOK OF GOVT, BOOK OF DISCIPLINE, BOOK OF WORSHIP

3. What is the purpose of the visible church? 1.3

GATHERING AND PERFECTING THE SAINTS

4. Who are the members of the visible church? 1.3

ALL PERSONS WHO PROFESS JESUS AS LORD AND SAVIOR AND SUBMIT TO HIM, ALONG WITH THEIR CHILDREN

5. What four things are said to bind the visible church in its essential unity (these are sometimes called the four marks of the church)? 1.5

1)      SCRIPTURAL DISCIPLINE

2)      WORD RIGHTLY PROCLAIMED

3)      SACRAMENTS PROPERLY OBSERVED

4)      LOVING FELLOWSHIP MAINTAINED

6. What is the Presbyterian form of government? 2.1

BY ELDERS, RULING AND TEACHING, IN COURTS IN REGULAR GRADATION

7. Who are the officers of the church? 2.2

TEACHING ELDERS, RULING ELDERS, DEACONS

8. What are the courts of the church? 2.3

SESSION, PRESBYTERY, GENERAL ASSEMBLY

9. What is to be the ratio of representation at Presbytery and General Assembly of Ruling Elders to Teaching Elders? 2.3

2 RULING ELDERS TO 1 TEACHING ELDER

10. What is the power of the church? 3.1

MORAL AND SPIRITUAL

11. Where are the powers of the church exercised? 3.1

IN THE CHURCH COURTS, NOT IN INDIVIDUALS

12. How must these powers be exercised? 3.1

FOR PROCLAMATION, ADMINISTRATION, AND ENFORCEMENT OF SCRIPTURAL LAWS

13. What are the two kinds of powers of the church? 3.2

1)      ORDER

2)      JURISDICTION

14. What is the purpose of these powers? 3.3

TO EDIFY GOD’S PEOPLE, PROMOTE THE FAITH IN THE CHURCH, EVANGELIZE THE WORLD

15. What does a particular church consist of? 4.1

ALL PROFESSING CHRISTIANS WITH THEIR CHILDREN WHO LIVE THEIR FAITH

16. What is the primary privilege and duty of a particular church? 4.2

WORSHIP GOD REGULARLY

17. What is the primary work of the church? 4.3

EVANGELISM AT HOME AND ABROAD

18. Summarize the church’s responsibilities for the children. 4.4,6

TO PROMOTE TRUE RELIGION IN THE HOME: LEARNING THE WORD OF GOD UNDER THE GUIDANCE OF THE HS

19. Is it required for a church to have a Board of Deacons? 4.8

NO

20. Who alone has the right to organized, dissolve, dismiss or receive a particular church? 5.1

PRESBYTERY

21. What is the difference between a mission church and an organized church? 5.2

HAS NO PERM GOVERNING BODY

22. How may Presbytery organize a church? 5.3A

DIRECTLY OR THRU A COMMISSION

23. What does it mean to “receive” another church? 5.4

FROM ANOTHER BODY OR FROM INDEPENDENCY DESIRES TO JOIN THE EPC; PETITIONS THE PRESBYTERY BY A DELEGATION; PROMISES TO PROMOTE PURITY AND PEACE

24. What does it mean to “dissolve” a church? 5.5

WHEN A CONGREGATION CEASES TO EXIST OR IS DISSOLVED THE PROPERTY REMAINING GOES TO THE PRESBYTERY; REMAINING MEMBERS ARE COMMENDED TO ANOTHER CONGREGATION BY PRESBYT…

25. What does it mean to “dismiss” a church? 5.6

TO ANOTHER BODY OR TO INDEPENDENCE; SESSION NOTIFIES PRESBYTERY OF DESIRE; CALLS MEETING, MOTION PUT AND DISCUSSED; RECESS 3-6 MONTHS; RECONVENE, MOTION PUT AND DISCUSSED; MUST PASS BY 2/3 VOTE, WRITTEN BALLOT

26. What are the three classes of membership , what are their respective requirements and what rights does each class entitle one to?

1)      CONFIRMED: BAPTIZED, MADE PROFESSION OF FAITH, AND ADMITTED BY SESSION; MAY PARTICIPATE IN GOVERNING AND VOTING

2)      BAPTIZED: THOSE WHOSE PARENTS IN GOOD STANDING; MAY RECEIVE BAPTISM

3)      AFFILIATE: SEPARATED GEOGRAPHICALLY (SCHOOL, MILITARY), FOR ONE YEAR, RENEWABLE; RIGHTS OF CONFIRMED MEMBERS EXCEPT MAY NOT VOTE OR HOLD OFFICE

27. What rights are irrevocably reversed to a particular church? 7.1-7

1)      ELECT OFFICERS

2)      DETERMINE WHETHER OR NOT TO HAVE DEACONS

3)      OWNERSHIP OF OWN PROPERTY

4)      CALL ITS OWN PASTOR(S) UPON CONCURRENCE OF PRESBYT…

5)      WITHDRAW FROM EPC

6)      ELECT TRUSTEES

28. Who calls a congregational meeting? 8.1A

SESSION; REQUEST OF 1/5 MEMBERS IN WRITING; PRESBYTERY

29. How much notice shall be given? 8.1B

2 WEEKS

30. What matter may be presented and handled? 8.1C

ONLY THOSE STATED IN THE CALL

31. Ordinarily, who shall be the moderator of the meeting? 8.1D

PASTOR

32. What quorum is necessary? 8.1E

IF < 100 MEMBERS, 1/5 ACTIVE MEMBERS; IF > 100, 1/10 MEMBERS, BUT NOT < 20.

33. Who is eligible to vote? 8.1G

ACTIVE MEMBERS PRESENT AT MEETING, MODERATOR MAY NOT VOTE

34. What happens if there is a tie vote? 8.1H

MODERATOR PUTS QUESTION 2^ND TIME. IF STILL A TIE, IT IS DEFEATED.

35. Who is responsible for church membership? 9.1

SESSION

36. What rolls are to be kept? 9.1

1)      ACTIVE

2)      BAPTIZED

3)      AFFILIATE

4)      INACTIVE

37. What are the three ways someone can join a church and be received into active membership? 9.2

1)      TRANSFER OF MEMBERSHIP

2)      PROFESSION OF FAITH

3)      REAFFIRMATION OF FAITH

38. Who is responsible for writing letters of membership? 9.2A

SESSION

39. What does the Session need to be satisfied of in regard to an application for membership? 9.2

FAITH, COMMITMENT AND INTENTION OF CONTINUED OBEDIENCE TO GOD

40. On what grounds may the Session deny membership? 9.2

NOTHING OTHER THAN PROFESSION OF FAITH AND OBEDIENCE

41. How often is the Session to review membership rolls? 9.8

YEARLY

42. Who elects the officers of the church? 10.1

ACTIVE MEMBERS AT THE MEETING

43. Who is to govern the church? 10.1

TEACHING AND RULING ELDERS

44. What are the various callings of a Minister? 10.3

PASTOR, TEACHER, EVANGELIST, ADMINISTRATOR, CHAPLAIN, PASTOR EMERITUS

45. What is the office of Ruling Elder established for? 10.4

OVERSIGHT OF THE CHURCH

46. What is the first duty of a Ruling Elder? 10.4

TO REPRESENT THE MIND OF CHRIST

47. Summarize the characteristics of a Ruling Elder’s life should exhibit? 10.5

BLAMELESS, SOUND FAITH, WISE, DISCREET

48. Because a Ruling Elder is ordained to office, what should he do? 10.6

STUDY AND LEARN THE WORD OF GOD, BECOME EQUIPPED TO TEACH, LEAD WORSHIP AND LEAD PRAYER

49. What is the first duty of a Deacon? 10.7

SYMPATHY AND SERVICE

50. To whom is the Board of Deacons accountable? 10.7

SESSION

51. What spiritual qualities would a Deacon exhibit? 10.8

EARNEST, WHOLEHEARTED FOLLOWERS OF CHRIST, STEADY, RELIABLE, WELL THOUGHT OF BY ALL, NOT NEW IN THE FAITH, TESTED FOR FAITHFULNESS

52. What are the three points by which God’s calling of a person to an office is confirmed? 11.1

1)      INWARD CALL OF INDIVIDUAL

2)      CONFIRMING CALL OF PARTICULAR CHURCH

3)      APPROVAL BY APPROPRIATE COURT

53. What must the call always be to? 11.4

A SPECIFIC TASK

54. How is the Pastor and Associate pastor called to a church? 11.5F, 6, 1-9

SESSION CALLS CONG MTG TO ELECT SEARCH COMM; SEARCH COMM FINDS; SEEKS CONSENT OF MINISTERIAL COMM; SEARCH COMM NOTIFIES SESSION; CALL CONG MTG; COUNTED VOTE, MAJORITY REQUIRED, EXACT COUNT RECORDED AND NOTIFY PERSON OF; CONG APPOINTS REPS TO BRING TERMS OF CALL AT PRESBYTERY MTG; PRESBYTERY VOTES; PLACES CALL IN HANDS OF PERSON; PERSON ACCEPTS

ASSOC PASTOR’S CALL MUST STIPULATE PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

55. Who calls an Assistant Pastor? 11.7

SESSION

56. Who elects elders and deacons in a particular church? 11.14A

CONGREGATION

57. Who determines how many officers there will be? 11.14B

CONGREGATION

58. What is each person being ordained to office required to make? 12.1

COMMITMENTS IN TERMS OF FAITH AND ORDER AS WE ALL GIVE A GOOD TESTIMONY OF JESUS CHRIST

59. What is important for the ordaining court to be assured of before ordaining? 13.1

COMPETENCY OF THE INDIVIDUAL

60. What is the candidate for the ministry to be examined on? 13.2

THEOLOGY AND SACRAMENTS; ENGLISH BIBLE; BOOK OF ORDER AND REFORMED TRADITION, NATURE OF OFFICE OF MINISTER OF WORD

61. What areas are an elder and deacon to be examined on? 13.8

PERSONAL EXPERIENCE OF SAVING GRACE, PROGRESS IN SPIRITUAL GROWTH; THE FAITH OF THE CHURCH; THE SACRAMENTS, THE GOVT OF THE CHURCH; THE HISTORY OF THE CHURCH; UNDERSTANDING OF THE OFFICE TO BE SERVED

62. Read the questions asked of those to be ordained to the office of Ruling Elder and Deacon in 14.1BE. Are you in agreement with theses? Do you have any questions?

63. Who alone may dissolve the relationship between the Pastor and a church? 15.2

PRESBYTERY

64. Who alone may dissolve the relationship between a Ruling Elder or Deacon with a congregation? 15.5

SESSION

65. On what (6) conditions may a Ruling Elder or Deacon be released from office? 15.5

1)      WHEN PLACED ON INACTIVE ROLL

2)      WHEN MOVES MEMBERSHIP TO ANOTHER CONGR

3)      WHEN MEMBERSHIP IN OR JURISDICTION IS RENOUNCED

4)      WHEN ELECTED TO EMERITUS

5)      WHEN DIVESTED OF OFFICE BY DUE PROCESS OF BOOK OF DISCIPLINE

6)      WHEN ACTIVE RELATIONSHIP DISOLVED BY PRESBYTERY

66. What is each organizational unit to do for the orderly process of review and control? 16.3

SUBMIT MINUTES TO THE UNIT ABOVE

67. Who is to run the meetings of the court? 16.4A

MODERATOR

68. What is each meeting to be opened and closed with? 16.4A

PRAYER

69. What has each court authority to do?

1)      (16.4B) BEAR WITNESS AGAINST ERROR OR DOCTRINE CONTARY TO XIAN FAITH

2)      (16.4C) ESTABLISH RULES FOR ITS GOVERNANCE

3)      (16.4D) DISCIPLINE ITSM MEMBERS OR UNDER ITS CHARGE

4)      (16.4E) ISSUE CALLS TO PERSONS TO SERVE IN ITS COURT, NOT TO EXCEED THREE YEARS

5)      (16.4F) ORGANIZE ITSELF AS IT DEEMS APPROPRIATE

70. What do the following organizational units have jurisdiction over? 16.5

1)      Board of Deacons – WHATEVER THE SESSION ASSIGNS

2)      Session – THE WORSHIP AND MINISTRY OF A PARTC. CHURCH

3)      Presbytery – THE WORSHIP AND MINSTRY OF GROUP OF CHURCHES

4)      General Assembly – WORSHIP AND MINISTRY OF ALL EPC CHURCHES

71. What is each act of each court regarded as being? 16.6

THE ACT OF THE WHOLE CHURCH

72. What do the ordinary duties of the Board of Deacons include? 16.7A

1)      OVERSEE MINISTRY OF COMPASSION

2)      SERVE AS USHERS, RECEIVE OFFERINGS, ASSIST IN PREPARING THE FACILITIES FOR USE

3)      STEWARDSHIP DEVELOPMENT; PROPERTY MAINTENANCE; DISBURSEMENT OF FUNDS

73. What officers are to be elected for the Board of Deacons? 16.7C

MODERTOR; RECORDING CLERK

74. Is the Treasurer required to be ordained to office? 16.7D

NO

75. What is the Treasurer required to do? 16.7D

HANDLE FINANCIAL MATTERS; REPORT TO APPOINTING BODY AT STATED MEETINGS

76. What does the church Session have under its oversight and supervision? 16.8

ENTIRE LIFE OF PARTIC CONGREG

77. Who is normally the moderator of the Session? 16.9

PASTOR

78. Who else is to be elected by the Session? 16.9

CLERK

79. What do the duties of the Session include? 16.9

MONITOR SPIRITUAL CONDUCT OF MEMBERS AND TAKE ACTION AS NECESSARY; INITIATE EVANGELISM; REMIND PARENTS TO BAPTIZE ; RECEIVE MEMBERS; KEEP ROLLS; DETERMINE BUDGET; OVERSEE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM; OVERSEE WORSHIP; ORDER SPEC DAYS OF WORSHIP AND FASTING

80. Who is to sign the minutes? 16.13

CLERK AND MODERATOR

81. Who appoints commissioners to Presbytery and General Assembly? 16.14, 16-20

SESSION

82. What is Presbytery composed of and at what ratio? 16.14

ALL MINISTERS OF PRESBYTERY AND AT LEAST TWO RULING ELDERS ELECTED BY SESSION

83. Who are the officers of Presbytery? 16.15

MODERATOR; STATED CLERK

84. What do the duties of the Presbytery include? 16.16

EXAMINE MINISTERS AND CANDIDATES; RECEIVE AND DISMISS THEM; RETEIRE OR PLACE ON INACTIVE STATUS; ORDAIN AND INSTALL; DISSOLVE PASTORAL RELSHIPS; APPROVE CALLS; GRANT PERMISSION TO LABOR OUT OF BOUNDS; DECIDE JUDICIAL CASES; ESTABLISH, RECEIVE, DISMISS CHURCHES; ENCOURAGE EVANGELISM AS PRIORITY 1

85. What is the General Assembly composed of? 16.20

ALL COURTS AND PARTIC CHURCHES OF EPC

86. Who are the officers of the General Assembly? 16.21

MODERATOR; STATED CLERK

87. What are the duties of the General Assembly? 16.22

88. What is the difference between a committee and a commission?

1)      Committee (16.26A) – APPOINTED BY A COURT TO STUDY A MATTER AND MAKE RECOMMENDATION TO

2)      Commission (16.26B) – ACTS FOR THE APPOINTING COURT

89. What are the two kinds of commissions? 16.26B

JUDICIAL – DECIDES DISCIPLINE CASES;

ADMINISTRATIVE – ORDAINS AND INSTALLS; ORGANIZES, DISSOLVES, DISMISSES, RECEIVES CHURCHES; VISITS CHURCHES W/ PROBLEMS

90. What is the Permanent Committee and what is the Permanent Commission? What do they oversee?

1)      Permanent committee (16.27A) – MINISTERIAL COMM

2)      Permanent commission (16.27B) – PERMANENT JUDICIAL COMM

91. May the Book of Order, Confession of Faith or Catechisms be amended? 17.2-3

YES

92. How may they be amended? 17.2-3

BOO – APPROVAL OF ASSEMBLY; SENT TO PRESYBTERIES; ¾ VOTE IN FAVOR; RATIFIED AT SUBSEQUENT GA; IF BY SECOND GA NOT ENOUGH HAVE VOTED IT LOSES

WESTMINSTERS – APPROVAL OF ASSEMBLY; SENT TO PRESBYS; ¾ VOTE IN FAVOR; IF BY SECOND ASSEMBLY NOT ENOUGH HAVE VOTED IT LOSES

93. What rights are held continually by Christians? 17.5

1)      CHURCH MAY MAKE NO LAWS TO BIND CONSCIENCE WITH RESPECT TO INTERP OF SCRIP

2)      MAY MAKE NO LAWS TO INFRINGE ON RIGH OF PARTIC CHURCH TO ELECT OWN OFFICERS

II. THE BOOK OF DISCIPLINE

94. What is discipline? 1.1

EXERCISE OF AUTHORITY GIVEN THE CHURCH BY THE LORD TO INSTRUCT AND GUIDE ITS MEMBERS AND TO PROMOTE PURITY AND WELFARE

95. What are the two senses of discipline? 1.1

1)      REFERRING TO WHOLE GOVT, INSPECTION, TRAINING, GUARDIANSHIP AND CONTROL CHURCH MAINTAINS OVER ITS MEMBERS, OFFICERS, AND COURTS

2)      MORE RESTRICTED – ECCLESIASTICAL JUDICIAL PROCEDURES

96. Who is subject to discipline of the church? 1.4

ACTIVE AND INACTIVE MEMBERS, CONFIRMED, BAPTIZED AND AFILIATE

97. In its proper usage, what three things does discipline do? 1.3

1)      TO MAINTAIN THE HONOR OF GOD

2)      TO RESTORE THE SINNER

3)      TO REMOVE THE OFFENSE FROM THE CHURCH

98. What are the purposes and goals of discipline? 1.3

99. For what is the power given by Christ to the church? 1.4

100. How is discipline to be exercised? 1.4

GENTLY  – GAL 6.1

101. What is the basis for all discipline? 1.5

SCRIPTURAL LAW

102. What is an offense? 4.1

HERESY; IMMORALITY; CONTEMPT

103. What are the four kinds of censure? 10.3-6

1)      ADMONITION

2)      SUSPENSION

3)      EXCOM

4)      DEPOSITION OR REMOVAL FROM OFFICE

104. What is admonition? 10.3

FORMAL WARNING

105. What is suspension? 10.4

TEMPORARY EXCLUSION FROM SACRAMENTS AND/OR ACTIVITIES

106. What is excommunication? 10.6

REMOVAL FROM MEMGERSHIP AND FELLOWSHIP

107. What is deposition? 10.5

REMOVAL FROM OFFICE W/O EXCOMM

108. Who has jurisdiction in regards to a minister? 3.2B

PRESBYTERY

109. Who has jurisdiction in regards to church members?  3.2A

SESSION

110. In what ways may the proceedings of a lower court come under the supervision of a higher court?

1)      APPEAL

2)      COMPLAINT

3)       DISSENT

4)      PROTEST

111. What is General Review and Control? 14.1

112. What is a reference? 15.1

113. What is an appeal? 16.1

114. What is a complaint? 17.1

III. THE BOOK OF WORSHIP

115. What is the primary purpose of man? 1.1

TO GLORIFY GOD AND ENJOY HIM FOREVER

116. In what three areas are Christians to worship God? 1.1

1)      PRIVATELY

2)      IN FAMILIES

3)      CHURCH

117. To do what is especially incumbent on Christians? 1.2

TO WORSHIP

118. What is the natural consequence of worship? 1.3

TO SERVE

119. Who has established the acceptable way to worship God? 2.1

GOD

120. Where has God made this known? 2.1

IN HIS WORD

121. Who alone is to receive worship? 2.1

GOD

122. When is it appropriate for us to worship corporately? 2.2

SUNDAY, THE XIAN SABBAATH

123. Where are we to worship God? 2.2A

PLACES SET APART FOR WORSHIP

124. What should every Christian do to be ready to worship God? 2.3

PREPARE HEARTS; TAKE CARE OF DAILY AFFAIRS BEFOREHAND;

125. From what have the people of God been set free? 2.4

FROM ALL FORMS OF BONDAGE TO RIGID RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR WORSHIP

126. What does this mean for EPC churches? 2.4

NO PARTIC CHURCH IS REQUIRED TO FOLLOW ANY PREDETERMINED OR RIGID FORM

127. Who has the responsibility for the worship service? 2.4A

PASTOR

128. What should all who come to worship do? 2.4B

ACTIVELY PARTICIPATE

129. What should worship always include? 2.5

READING OF SCRIPTURE

130. Why is reading Scripture essential to worship? 2.5B

IT REVEALS CHRIST

131. What is the next essential element of worship? 2.6

PREACHING OF THE WORD

132. Who is to invite someone to preach? 2.6D

SESSION

133. What is another indispensable part of worship? 2.7

MUSIC

134. How should this be done? 2.7

WITH GRACE IN THE HEART, CORPORATELY

135. What duty does the minister ordinarily have? 2.8

LEAD IN PRAYER

136. While the minister is praying, what should the congregation be doing? 2.8B

PRAY SILENTLY

137. How are the people to acknowledge and express that God is Giver of all good gifts? 2.9

SAY AMEN

138. In what three ways should giving find expression?

1)      (2.9A, 7.4A) OFFERING OF SELF

2)      2.9B, 7.4B) OFFERING OF TITHES AND GIFTS

3)      2.9B, 7.4B) OFFERING OF SERVICE TO OTHERS

139. Who may order special times of worship? 4.1

SESSION

140. What kinds of days are appropriate for worship?

1)      (4.2) DAYS OF PRAYER AND FASTING

2)      (4.3) DAYS OF THANKSGIVING

141. What is incumbent upon each Christian to practice? 4.4

INDIVIDUAL WORSHIP

142. What should this include? 4.4

PRAYER, READING SCRIPT; PERSONAL EXAMINATION; MEDITATION

143. What should each family do? 4.5

WORSHIP TOGETHER REGULARLY

144. Is marriage a sacrament? 5.1

NO

145. Is remarriage permissible? 5.4

YES

146. What is to be recorded in the minutes of the Session? 5.5

MARRIAGES

147. Who has responsibility for the marriage ceremony? 5.6

PASTOR

148. What is to be the focus of the burial service? 6.1

WITNESS TO THE FAITH OF THE BELIEVERS; TO THEIR CONFIDENCE IN THE RESURRECTION OF THE BODY AND EVERLASTING LIFE

149. Who has the responsibility for the burial service? 6.3

PASTOR

150. How may the bodies of the deceased be disposed of? 6.4

BURIAL, CREMATION, DONATION TO SCIENCE

151. What is the first duty of Christians? 7.1

TO GIVE GLORY TO GOD FOR SALVATION

152. What is the fruit of the Gospel? 7.1

SERVICE

153. What is the first task of the Church? 7.2

EVANGELISM

154. Because of this, what should each court do? 7.2

ENCOURAGE IT

155. What is the next duty of Christians and the Church? 7.3

TEACHING/DISCIPLESHIP

156. What is the obligation of the Session in this regard? 7.3B

TO OFFER A PROGRAM OF EDUC AND NURTURE

157. What is the difference between a tithe and a gift? 7.4B

TITHE IS MINUMUM REQUIREMENT; GIFT IS OVER AND ABOVE TITHE

158. What should each individual seek? 7.4C1

OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE

159. What is each church Session to do in regard to showing God’s love? 7.4C2

JUDGE HOW BEST TO EXEMPLIFY LOVE TO ITS PARTICULAR COMMUNITY AND SITUATION

160. What is the church Session to do in regard to the service of compassion? 7.5

ESTABLISHING MINISTRIES OF COMPASSION W/IN THE CHURCH AND OUTSIDE

Categories: Study Guides: EPC Ordination Exams

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