This detailed, comprehensive interpretation of the Presbyterian Book of Order is the most complete resource of its kind. Joan S. Gray and Joyce C. Tucker have revised this best-selling book to include the new standards from the new Form of Government in the Book of Order. It explains the system of Presbyterian government, from sessions to presbyteries to synods to the General Assembly itself.

Newly updated for the revised Directory for Worship. This detailed, comprehensive interpretation of the Presbyterian Book of Order is the most complete resource of its kind. Joan S. Gray updated this best-selling book to include the revised Directory for Worship. It explains the system of Presbyterian government, from sessions to presbyteries to synods to the General Assembly itself.

This timely new leadership guide for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is written for church officers who are looking for a deepened relationship with God. Joan Gray challenges elders and deacons to see themselves as spiritual leaders and equips them to lead alongside their pastors. Gray lays out a variety of leadership styles and helps leaders understand when each is appropriate. She also provides resources for dealing with relationships in the church and identifies ways churches can be supportive of the spiritual leadership of elders and deacons.

Throughout our history, Presbyterians have needed and wanted a companion to the Constitution. This volume is an attempt to provide that companion. It is a valuable tool whose use will bring a better understanding of the church's Constitution and how it works. As a companion, this book is intended to be an aid to education and understanding.

This book provides clergy, laity, and students with a thorough introduction to their faith as set forth in the Book of Confessions. Jack Rogers explains technical terms and places current issues in perspective by examining the meaning of the creeds, confessions, and declarations found in the Book of Confessions. He examines their role in history, their full meaning, and their continued relevance to the Christian community.

Churches have split and denominations have formed over the issue of church government. While many Christians can explain their church's form of rule or defend it because of its "tried and true" traditions, few people understand their church's administrative customs from a biblical perspective. Who Runs the Church? explores questions such as: What model for governing the church does the Bible provide, and is such a model given for practical or spiritual reasons? Is there room for different methods within Christianity? Or is there a right way of "doing church"? And, finally, how (and by whom) should the church be governed? Four predominant approaches to church government are presented by respected proponents: Episcopalianism - represented by Peter Toon Presbyterianism - represented by L. Roy Taylor Single-Elder Congregationalism - represented by Paige Patterson Plural-Elder Congregationalism - represented by Samuel E. Waldron As in other Counterpoints books, each view is followed by critiques from the other contributors, and its advocate then responds.

A concise and readable study for laypersons and clergy alike, this book is indispensable for all informed people in many different confessional communities. With the passion of one who not only observes but believes, John Leith touches on all aspects of Reformed history, theology, polity, liturgy, and Christian culture with a balance of enthusiasm and critical judgment that always rings true.

These essays represent a forceful, relentless engagement with the political, social, economic, and theological pillars upon which South African apartheid rested. In the renewed struggles against global apartheid, Boesak's writings, in their theological grounding and with their social and political challenge, come across as alive, relevant, and powerful as they were in the struggle against South African apartheid, offering valuable insights and lessons for ongoing justice struggles today.

This book offers a discussion of the Reformed worship tradition, its history, theology, and rationale. The authors discuss the characteristics of Reformed worship and focus on theology and the practice of the sacraments and ordinances of the church. They provide concrete suggestions as to how this tradition can be the basis of meaningful worship in American congregations today.

This revised study edition of the Book of Confessions contains the official creeds, catechisms, and confessional statements of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), including the new Confession of Belhar that was added at the 222nd General Assembly (2016). Each text is introduced by an informative essay providing in-depth historical and theological background information. The book also includes two appendixes that explore the purpose of confessions. This study edition is ideal for seminarians and leaders looking for more extensive information about the history and theology of the confessions along with the official documents, all conveniently located in one volume.