When you think back to 2011, you might recall “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2,” the final space shuttle mission, and championship wins by the Dallas Mavericks and Texas A&M women’s basketball.
What’s easier to forget is that 2011 also marked a seismic shift in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)’s Book of Order.
Before 2011, the constitution emphasized detailed regulations applied uniformly across the church. After 2011, it shifted toward guiding principles, freeing presbyteries and sessions to adapt their governance to local realities. This was not simply an administrative change; it was theological. The revised Book of Order trusts councils to seek together the will of Christ (F-3.0204).
For example, presbyteries must still serve as pastor, counselor and advisor to congregations and ministers (G-3.0307), but the Book of Order no longer mandates a specific “committee on ministry” structure. Likewise, sessions remain responsible for the mission and government of the congregation (G-3.0201), but they are no longer bound to a single model for organizing their work.
We don’t go it alone, and we attend to faithful ministry in our context.
Much of my work as stated clerk now involves reminding leaders that we are not bound to one structure. Mission determines the forms and structures needed for the church’s work (G-3.0106), and we are free to adapt and innovate for the sake of Christ’s mission (F-1.01).
The change isn’t all rosy. The shift from defined process to faithful governance comes with a heavier lift. Sessions are asked not only to follow rules, but also to exercise spiritual discernment in decision-making (G-3.0105).
It seems to me that two principles abide in our church order, and I often remind councils of both: We don’t go it alone, and we attend to faithful ministry in our context. Sounds a bit like church, when you get right down to it.
