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Our
current ministry is directed by a board of Elders. When they
meet together, they are called, "The Session," and
represent a "court" of the church. Here is what the
ARP has established for the planting of new mission churches:
From the
Minutes of the General Synod (202nd Meeting) pg. 484
3. The provisional session overseeing a mission has the
same responsibility
as a session, but is a transitory authority aimed at preparing
the mission to be governed under its own session. Presbytery has
the
primary oversight responsibility for the mission. This responsibility
is usually exercised through the presbytery committee charged with
the responsibility for new church development. The provisional
session
has secondary oversight and is accountable to the presbytery
committee. Elders on the provisional session must be careful to
allow
the mission to develop its distinct identity and direction.
4. In order to carry out its responsibility to the presbytery,
the provisional
session has the power:
a. To receive applicants into communicant church membership
upon profession of faith in Jesus Christ, upon reaffirmation of
faith in Jesus Christ, or upon transfer of membership.
b. To encourage parents who are communicant members to present
their children for the Sacrament of Baptism.
c. To grant the appropriate certificate of transfer for any member
in good standing upon proper request.
d. To admonish, rebuke, suspend, or exclude from the Sacrament
of the Lord’s Supper any member of the congregation found
delinquent, according to the Rules of Discipline.
e. To instruct and examine potential ruling elders and deacons.
f. To work with the mission developer in setting the time and place
of the preaching of the Word, the administration of the sacraments,
and over all other religious services.
g. To ensure that the mission is submitting required reports to
presbytery and synod.
h. To encourage and advise the mission developer. It is important
that
mutual trust be established between the mission developer and
the session. He should look to the session as his strong supporters
and encouragers. He should feel free to share his concerns and
frustrations with them. The session should advise and counsel
him concerning his work and ways to most effectively develop
the mission.
i. To provide care and nurture to the people attending the mission.
The provisional session members should attend the mission often
enough so that they know and are known by the members of
the mission.
j. To ensure proper oversight and stewardship of financial resources.
k. To keep the presbytery committee informed of concerns that
may need the presbytery’s attention.
l. To call a congregational meeting of the mission in order to
elect
a pulpit search committee and vote upon the terms of a call to
a pastor prior to the organization of the mission as a particular
congregation.
m. To oversee all organizations within the mission, and in its
discretion to require stated reports.
