2011-2013 Book of Order Changes
Changes in Form of Government (nFOG)
On this page: nFOG Workshops • Online Resources • Background
Information/Questions Contact: Presbytery Stated Clerk Wendy Tajima
Please visit these pages for information about other Constitution Changes:
Amendment 10-A (2.0104b) • Sexual Misconduct Policy
nFOG BACKGROUND:
The "Form of Government" section of the Presbyterian Church (USA) has been rewritten and approved by the 219th GA (2010) and ratified by just over half the presbyteries. This section (the "G-" section of the Book of Order) is now focused on the essentials of how the Presbyterian Church is to administer our mission at all levels.
Because much of the details of administration are no longer in the Form of Government, congregations and presbyteries need to ensure they have written policies and procedures for how they will administer mission. In the short-term, it is suggested that churches adopt the former Form of Government (from 2009-2011) as their administrative manual, until they have opportunity to revisit and adjust the policies to fit their needs.
Presbytery of the Pacific has gathered several consultants to work with the Stated Clerk to help local churches as well as the Presbytery to transition to the new Form of Government. This fall, we will also hold training sessions on the new Form of Government for anyone interested (especially pastors and elders, now referred to as Teaching Elders and Ruling Elders).
But first, the Presbytery's Stated Clerk Wendy Tajima offers this advice:
The number one piece of advice: Breathe. It is expected that this transition will take months. And as the current Moderator of the PC(USA) recently said, "There are no nFOG Police."
(And you might want to look at the excellent summary of decisions to be made which is listed first in the Resources section.)
We also have consultants who can work with a church as you consider your transition to the new Form of Government. If you have questions, please contact the Stated Clerk.
Online Resources
Start Here!
"Next Steps" offers an overview of decisions that need to be made "sooner rather than later."
Background material:
- Frequently Asked Questions {from the Office of the General Assembly (OGA) }
- FOG 101 (as a Powerpoint presentation; Mac or PC computers equipped with Microsoft Office or Open Office)
- FOG 101 (as a Keynote presentation: Mac only, with iWork's Keynote software)
- FOG 101: print-out of the slides in slideshow FOG 101
- Missional Ecclesiology will explain more about a concept discussed in the slideshow
The slideshow presentation (FOG 101) is by Paul Hooker, co-moderator of the nFOG task force, giving an overview on the background and top-level changes in the new Form of Government. The accompanying document, "Missional Ecclesiology" is essay by Paul Hooker on what it means to be a missional church, and what kind of polity should support it.
If your church session wants to get started right away:
Those who want to get started right away can consult these resources, in addition to the Next Steps, mentioned above:
- 2009-2011 FOG
Because it's suggested that the former FOG be used (at least temporarily) as an administrative manual, this is the text for that version. It can also be used if a church is looking for relevant language for its own policies.
FOG Comparison Chart
A cross-reference chart (140 pages worth!) that goes from the old Form of Government to the new.
If you want to see a chart going the other way, from the new FOG to the old, go tothis chart.
Sample By-laws and Manual
From the "Companion to the Constitution," a boilerplate for church bylaws, and a list of common elements in a manual of administrative operations. This is not a new edition, so please note that although some specific citations have been updated to the new Form of Government, basically text is essentially unchanged--so, for instance, when it states that "a manual is desirable for your church," that statement is out of date. With nFOG, each church Session (which is a "council") shall also adopt such a manual. (G-3.0106). Still, there are many elements here that could be useful as a starting point for the development of an updated manual.
FYI: The Presbytery has its own Manual of Administrative Operations and Standing Rules, though they will be going through a review and update process this year as well. The Manual is formatted as over 50 separate files, but anyone looking for a copy of a particular policy can contact the Stated Clerk .
Is there a quick guide to what's changed and what hasn't?
- What Changes? (from the Greater Atlanta Presbytery)
- What Does NOT Change? (from the Greater Atlanta Presbytery)
These are summary lists of what changes and what does NOT change from the old Form of Government, prepared by Donna Wells, Acting Stated Clerk of Greater Atlanta Presbytery