Book of Order

The Book of Order contains the Form of Government, Directory for Worship, and Rules of Discipline for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) (PCUSA) and is designated "Part 2" of the PCUSA Constitution, "Part 1" being the Book of Confessions.

Organization

The Book of Order does not have page numbers. Instead, the three parts of the Book of Order are abbreviated by the use of capital letters:

*G – Form of Government
*W – Directory for Worship
*D – Rules of Discipline

Chapter and sections in each part of the Book of Order are represented by decimal numbers in the form (0.0000). For example, "Full Inclusion," which describes the inclusion of all types of people in Christian worship is found in G-4.0304. This means that Form of Government, Chapter 4, section .0300, part .0004 contains the section "Full Inclusion".

Form of Government

The Form of Government describes the polity of the PC(USA), which is their adopted form of presbyterian polity.

Directory for Worship

The Directory for Worship includes the theological guidelines for worship within PC(USA) churches. In order to allow for a diversity of expression in worship, the Directory for Worship does not provide set orders for worship, but instead suggests the boundaires of worship that is in line with Reformed Christianity and the Scriptural warrants for worship. It is concerned more with standards and norms than any particular way or formulation of a liturgy or order of worship.

Rules of Discipline

The Rules of Discipline provide the standards for discipline within the church for matters that the secular judicial system does not address. The Rules of Discipline concerns itself with matters of preserving the purity of the church, achieving justice and compassion for all participants involved, correcting or restraining wrongdoing, upholding the dignity of those who have been harmed by disciplinary offenses, restoring the unity of the church by removing the causes of discord and division, and securing the just, speedy, and economical determination of proceedings.

ee also

* Book of Common Order
* Directory of Public Worship
* Westminster Assembly

External links

* [http://www.pcusa.org/oga/publications/boo07-09.pdf The Book of Order of the Presbyterian Church (USA) (Portable Document Format)]