DP505
Fisher-Ogden

DP505: PRESBYTERIAN POLITY. Daryl Fisher-Ogden.

DESCRIPTION:

: This course is designed to give students in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) an overview of the polity of the PCUSA as contained in its Constitution. The course will assist in preparing students for the Standard Ordination Examinations in Polity and Worship.

RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY:

: Due to their understanding of humanity as permeated with sin, Presbyterians do not allow power to be concentrated. Instead, their polity establishes a system of checks and balances. The collective wisdom of committees may be slower to arrive at, but is felt to be a check upon any one personal agenda. The Presbyterian pastor who learns to work within this polity system also learns the joy of shared involvement by many of the laity, as they truly have power to make decisions. In addition, the pastor learns the justice behind Presbyterian polity which values all persons and the fairness of open debate around a common table.

COURSE FORMAT:

: The course will meet each night for two weeks, Monday-Friday, for four-hour sessions for lectures and discussion. Case studies will be used regularly.

REQUIRED READING:

: The Book of Confessions. Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).; The Book of Order. 1996-1997. Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).; Gray, Joan S. and Joyce C. Tucker. Presbyterian Polity for Church Officers. Westminster/John Knox, 1990.; Robert's Rules of Order. The Scott, Foresman, Nealy Edition, 1981.; Polity Course Syllabus.