The Session
The Armenian
Presbyterian Church is governed by an elected
board of elders called the Session. Elders are
elected by the congregation to serve for a term
of three years. The Session is moderated by the
pastors and meets regularly on the fourth
Tuesday of each month.
DUTY
OF ELDERS
(From the
BOOK OF ORDER,
G-6.0304)
It is the duty of elders,
individually and jointly, to strengthen and
nurture the faith and life of the congregation
committed to their charge.
Together with the pastor,
they should
-encourage the people in the worship and service
of God,
-equip and renew them for their tasks within the
church and for their mission in the world,
-visit and comfort and care for the people, with
special attention to the poor, the lonely, and
those who are oppressed.
-inform the pastor and session of those persons
and structures that may need special attention.
-assist in worship.
-cultivate their ability to teach the Bible and
may be authorized to supply places without the
regular ministry of the Word and Sacrament.
Those duties which all Christians are bound to
perform by the law of love are especially
incumbent upon elders because of their calling
to office and are to be fulfilled by them as
official responsibilities.
RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE SESSION
(From the
BOOK OF ORDER,
G-10.0102)
EVANGELISM
a. To provide opportunities for evangelism to be
learned and practiced
b. To receive members into the church
WORLD MISSION
c. To lead the congregation in participation in
the mission of the church in the whole world
WORSHIP
d. To provide for the worship of the people of
God
EDUCATION
e. To provide for the growth of its members and
for their equipment for ministry
f. To develop and supervise the church school
and the educational program of the church
OUTREACH
g. To lead the congregation in ministries of
personal and social healing and reconciliation
in the communities in which the church lives and
bears its witness;
STEWARDSHIP
h. To challenge the people of God with the
privilege of responsible Christian stewardship
of money and time and talents.
i. To establish the annual budget. . . providing
full information to the congregation of its
decisions in such matters;
CHANGE
j. To lead the congregation to discover what God
is doing in the world and to plan for change,
renewal and reformation under the Word of God.
LEADERSHIP
TRAINING
K. To engage in a process of education and
mutual growth of the members of the session;
l. To instruct, examine, ordain, install, and
welcome into common ministry elders and deacons
on their election by the congregation
SUPERVISION AND
ADMINISTRATION
m. To delegate and supervise the work of the
board of deacons and board of trustees and all
other organizations and task forces within the
congregation, providing for support, report,
review, control.
n. To provide for the administration of the
program of the church, including employment of
nonordained staff;
o. To provide for the management of the property
of the church
CONNECTING
p. To maintain regular and continuing
relationship to the higher governing bodies of
the church
q. To establish and maintain those ecumenical
relationships necessary for the life and mission
of the church in its locality;
r. To serve in judicial matters in accordance
with the Rules of Discipline
MEMBERSHIP
s. To keep an accurate role of the membership of
the church
OTHER
RESPONSIBILITIES OF SESSION
- to elect church treasurer annually [G-10.0401]
- to elect a clerk of session for a set term
[G-9.0203]
- oversee work of audit committee annually |
