Why is polity so
important?
Polity:
• Definition and Importance
• Polity in the Church
• Mechanics
Why is polity so
important?
Polity is…
the established system
of governance for an
organization.
Polity is…
the way we take care
of business.
Polity is…
necessary for
organizations to
remain organized.
Polity flows out of
practicality.
F.O.G 2.1
“In order that the Church shall fulfill its calling
as given by God, it is necessary that its ministry
be directed in an orderly manner. Government
rooted in and defined by Scriptural example and
instruction is the means of accomplishing such
necessary direction and order. Leadership and
authority, both of which are necessary to
government, are defined for the ARPC by this
Form of Government.
I Corinthians 14:40
“But all things should
be done decently
and in order.”
Colossians 2:5
“ For though I am absent in
body, yet I am with you in
spirit, rejoicing to see
your good order and the
firmness of your faith in
Christ.”
F.O.G 2.2
“While the Scriptures do not teach a
detailed form of Church government, the
Presbyterian form as adopted by the ARPC
is agreeable to and founded upon the Old
and New Testaments. The Presbyterian
form of Church government is government
by presbyters (elders) assembled in Church
courts.”
Presbyterian Polity, when
properly executed, ensures the
equality of representatives and the
right of all presbyters to take part
in the governance and decision
making process of the Church.
Polity in the
Church
What should
Polity look like?
What should
Presbyterianism
look like?
Presbyterianism is
a representative
based form of
government.
Connectional Church:
All churches within the ARP
are connected to one another
and representatives from
each take part in the
governance of the
denomination.
Presbytery:
“The court of the ARPC next
higher than the Session is the
Presbytery, which has the
oversight of a group of
congregations within a specific
geographical area as determined
by the General Synod.” F.O.G.
10.1
General Synod:
“The General Synod is the highest court of the
ARPC and represents all of its Presbyteries. It
bears the title of the General Synod of the
Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church and
constitutes the bond of union, peace, and
correspondence among all of its congregations
and courts.” F.O.G. 12.1
What should
Polity look like?
Polity is the
mechanism that
ensures equal
representation within
the Church.
Each congregation’s elected
elder representative, and
each member of presbytery
that attend the General
Synod have equal voice and
vote.
The Mechanics
of Polity
Presbyter:
A member of the
court.
3 Courts of the ARPC:
•Session
•Presbytery
•General Synod
The Session…
is made up of
representatives
nominated and elected
by the local
congregation.
The Presbytery…
is made up of elder
representatives from each
church within the geographical
boundaries of the presbytery
AND ordained pastors who are
members of that presbytery.
The General Synod…
is made up of elder
representatives from every
church in the denomination
and every member of every
presbytery within the
denomination.
The business of
the Church is
carried out in its
courts.
Mechanism of Polity:
•To do business decently
and in order
•To ensure equal voice
and vote for all
presbyters
Motion:
a formal proposal by a
member of a deliberative
assembly that the assembly
take certain action
Calling for the Question:
Is a vote to stop discussion and
proceed immediately (without
debate) to voting on the motion
being discussed. 2/3 Majority
is needed to pass.
Calling for the Question:
Motion—Second—
Discussion--Call for the
Question—Vote on
calling the question—
Vote on original motion.
Tricky Business:
Motion for Sundrop Only>
Second> Discussion> Motion
to Amend for Mt. Dew etc >
Second> Discussion> Call for
the Question> Second
Tricky Business:
Motion for Sundrop Only>
Second> Discussion> Motion to
Amend for Mt. Dew etc >
Second> Discussion> Call for the
Question> Second> Vote on
calling question> immediately
vote on amendment to the motion
Tricky Business:
Motion for Sundrop Only> Second>
Discussion> Motion to Amend for Mt.
Dew etc > Second> Discussion> Call for
the Question> Second> Vote on calling
question> immediately vote on
amendment to the motion, discussion of
motion as amended, call for the question,
second, vote on calling the question….
Tricky Business:
Motion for Sundrop Only> Second>
Discussion> Motion to Amend for Mt.
Dew etc > Second> Discussion> Call for
the Question> Second> Vote on calling
question> immediately vote on
amendment to the motion> Discuss
motion as amended> call for the
question> second> vote on calling the
question> vote on motion as amended.
PAY CLOSE
ATTENTION and
follow the motion
trail.
Decorum:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
No overlapping motions
Speak either for or against motions
Address only the Moderator
Everyone is “Mr.”
No Personal Attacks/Judgements
Do not disturb the assembly
Request points of personal privilege
Make separate motions as you desire but write them out and
never during debate on another motion
• Remember that you are all equal. There is no hierarchy and
there are no bishops.