Covenant Joel
Puritan Board Sophomore
In my licensure exams this past week, I was asked if I had any stated differences with the form of government of the PCA prescribed in the BCO. I had stated on my written exams and repeated this in my oral exams that while I am perfectly willing to submit to my brothers in the Lord on this issue, I do have a reservation about the associate vs assistant pastor distinction in the BCO. Here are the relevant portions of the BCO:
The basic distinction between them is that an associate pastor is called by the church and is a member of the session (thus having authority as a member of the session over the congregation). An assistant pastor is called by the session and is not a member of the session. In practice, I have often seen men called as an assistant pastor in order for him to serve the congregation while they get to know him, and then later he is called as an associate pastor by the election of the congregation.
I understand some of the pragmatic reasons for this distinction and the fact that much of the BCO is not guided by direct Scriptural command but by biblical inference and the light of nature. The reason that I have a reservation about this is that in Scripture, it seems like elders are always to have authority over the flock to which they minister (1 Timothy 3, Titus 1, 1 Peter 5, Acts 20:28, etc). It seems to me that the Assistant Pastor designation falls somewhere outside of the role of elder prescribed in the Scriptures.
So my question is this: do any of you have any thoughts to clarify this? I would appreciate even historical reflections on why the PCA established things this way, as well as how this does fit with the Scriptures.
As I said above, I am not overly concerned about this. But I had to sign on the dotted line that I had read the BCO and was asked if I had any differences, so I would like to think through this a little more so that I can know whether I should still by conscience mention it in my ordination exams, or if I should just take a chill pill and forget about it.
22-1. The various pastoral relations are pastor, associate pastor, and assistant pastor.
22-2. The pastor and associate pastor are elected by the congregation using the form of call in BCO 20-6. Being elected by the congregation, they become members of the Session.
22-3. An assistant pastor is called by the Session, by the permission and approval of Presbytery, under the provisions of BCO 20-1 and 13-2, with Presbytery membership being governed by the same provisions that apply to pastors. He is not a member of the Session, but may be appointed on special occasions to moderate the Session under the provisions of BCO 12-4.
22-4. The relationship of the associate pastor to the church is determined by the congregation. The relationship of the assistant pastor to the church is determined by the Session. The dissolution of the relationship of both is governed by the provision of BCO 23.
The basic distinction between them is that an associate pastor is called by the church and is a member of the session (thus having authority as a member of the session over the congregation). An assistant pastor is called by the session and is not a member of the session. In practice, I have often seen men called as an assistant pastor in order for him to serve the congregation while they get to know him, and then later he is called as an associate pastor by the election of the congregation.
I understand some of the pragmatic reasons for this distinction and the fact that much of the BCO is not guided by direct Scriptural command but by biblical inference and the light of nature. The reason that I have a reservation about this is that in Scripture, it seems like elders are always to have authority over the flock to which they minister (1 Timothy 3, Titus 1, 1 Peter 5, Acts 20:28, etc). It seems to me that the Assistant Pastor designation falls somewhere outside of the role of elder prescribed in the Scriptures.
So my question is this: do any of you have any thoughts to clarify this? I would appreciate even historical reflections on why the PCA established things this way, as well as how this does fit with the Scriptures.
As I said above, I am not overly concerned about this. But I had to sign on the dotted line that I had read the BCO and was asked if I had any differences, so I would like to think through this a little more so that I can know whether I should still by conscience mention it in my ordination exams, or if I should just take a chill pill and forget about it.