The Constitution of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) consists of the Westminster Confession of Faith, the Larger Catechism, the Shorter Catechism, and a subsidiary document outlining the church’s government, discipline, and worship. This subsidiary document provides detailed procedures for church governance, including the ordination and installation of officers, the conduct of church courts (sessions, presbyteries, and General Assembly), and the process for resolving disputes and administering discipline. It also outlines the proper administration of sacraments and other aspects of worship. For example, it specifies the qualifications for elders and deacons, the steps for organizing a new church, and the procedures for handling disciplinary matters.
This constitutional framework serves several crucial purposes. It safeguards the church’s theological integrity by anchoring its practices in the Reformed tradition as expressed in the Westminster Standards. It promotes unity and order within the denomination by providing a common set of rules and procedures for all congregations. It protects the rights and responsibilities of both individual members and church officers. Historically rooted in the broader Reformed tradition and adapted specifically for the PCA, this structure provides a stable foundation for the denomination’s life and mission, facilitating consistent practice across different congregations and generations.
