Rooted: The Foundations of Presbyterian Polity — Mission of the Church: Jesus Christ

Chapter one of the Foundations of Presbyterian Polity, the beginning of the Book of Order, has a trinitarian structure. The Mission of the Church lays out the basic ways in which the triune God is at work in the church (“God’s Mission,” F-1.01). The next two parts focus on the Second Person of the Trinity: Jesus Christ.

“Jesus Christ Is Head of the Church” (F-1.02) explores basic beliefs about who Christ is and how Christ grounds, sustains and guides the church. It looks at the Church from the perspective of Jesus Christ’s relationship to it. “The Calling of the Church” (F-1.03) explores basic characteristics of the Church that is grounded in and sustained by Jesus Christ. This part looks at the church through lenses provided by Scripture and the Christian (and specifically Presbyterian) tradition.

F-1.0201 begins by affirming that the one who has authority in the Church is Jesus Christ. The triune God has given Jesus Christ authority over all things. One part of that authority is over the Church. “God has put all things under the Lordship of Jesus Christ and has made Christ Head of the Church, which is his body.” Jesus Christ’s authority takes the form of a calling to join in Christ’s mission: “The Church’s life and mission are a joyful participation in Christ’s ongoing life and work.” Joyful states a reality that we may not always feel. This affirmation takes Easter and the Resurrection with the utmost seriousness. Jesus’ direction of the church is not something in the past; it is present and future.

F-1.0202 affirms that Jesus Christ’s invitation does not require us to come up with the resources we need to join, joyfully, in Christ’s mission. Everything the church needs for its mission, sanctification and service to God is provided to it by Jesus Christ.

Central to the things God provides for the Church is Scripture. “Scripture teaches us of Christ’s will for the Church. … In the worship and service of God and the government of the church, matters are to be ordered according to the Word by reason and sound judgment, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit” (F-1.0203). This identifies the basic source for discerning God’s leading. We often struggle with one another over what Jesus Christ wants us to do and be, and this paragraph affirms that as we do so, we work out of a common source: Scripture.

Because the Church is grounded in and nurtured by Jesus Christ, we live in hope. The resurrected Christ is already at work transforming Creation, and, within it, human beings. A telling turn of phrase is the affirmation that by being bound to Jesus Christ, the Church is free: “… the Church, as Christ’s body, is bound to his authority and thus free to live in the lively, joyous reality of the grace of God” (F-1.0204).

The affirmations in this second part of chapter one are summed up by identifying Jesus Christ as the foundation of the church (F-1.0205).

The third part of chapter one, “The Calling of the Church” (F-1.03), looks at the Church not from Jesus Christ’s perspective, but from affirmations about the nature of the Church drawn from Scripture and the Christian tradition. It uses 1 Corinthians 13:13, about faith, hope and love, to identify important aspects of the Church. Next, it draws on the Nicene Creed’s list of marks of the Church (one, holy, catholic, apostolic). Then it considers the “notes of the Reformed Church” as identified in the Scots Confession. Finally, it lists the Great Ends of the Church, as articulated by a predecessor of the PC(USA) in the early 20th century.

The Foundations of Presbyterian Polity also includes both footnotes and endnotes. Each provides helpful information. The footnotes are numerical, with the number raised on the page. The content of the footnote appears at the bottom of the page. The endnotes are marked by lowercase letters that are raised on the page. The content of the endnotes appears in the Scriptural and Confessional Allusion Index, which is located near the end of the Book of Order, just before the Index. There are two endnotes in F-1.0201. There are three more endnotes in F-1.03 and .04. These endnotes to chapter one of the Foundations section identify allusions to specific verses of Scripture.

For Reflection:

• How does the affirmation that Jesus Christ is the head of the Church shape our life together?
• As a ruling elder in Christ’s Church, how are your ministries impacted, or how can they be impacted, by these foundational beliefs?
• Read the Bible verses cited in the two endnotes in F-1.02. What light do those verses shed on the sentence they are connected to?

Barry Ensign-George is a Teaching Elder in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). He has served as a pastor in Iowa and at the denominational level in the Office of Theology & Worship.

Throughout 2025, monthly Regarding Ruling Elders articles will focus on the Foundations of Presbyterian Polity as included in our Book of Order. Ruling elders can benefit from these reflections as they consider their own ministries and call to serve as leaders in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).

© 2025 Barry Ensign-George

Work licensed for publication in “Regarding Ruling Elders: A Monthly Series for Serving Faithfully.” Congregations and mid councils may print copies for educational use. Permission is needed for any other use, including copying and reprinting.

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