COMMENTARY :
F.P. Ramsay, Exposition of the Book of Church Order (1898, p. 191), on RoD, V-10 :
170.--X. When a member of a church court is under process, all his official functions may be suspended at its discretion ; but this shall never be done in the way of censure.
This is a particular application of the principle that one may have the exercise of his official functions suspended without censure ; but the court should be slow to do this, unless prudence requires it, lest it work to the prejudice of the accused or make the court appear precipitate.
The Historical Development of the PCA Book of Church Order
Chapter 31 : The Parties in Cases of Process
Paragraph 10 : On the Suspension of Official Functions
31-10. When a member of a church court is under process, all his official functions may be suspended at the court's discretion; but this shall never be done in the way of censure.
[Historical Summary : The current text dates to PCUS 1876, differing only from subsequent editions in the capitalization of "Church". The earlier PCUS drafts lacked the adjective "official", and had the phrase "as a member of the court" which was deleted by 1876.]
Background and Comparison :
PCA 1973, RoD, 5-10, Adopted text, as printed in the Minutes of General Assembly, p. 147
Continuing Presbyterian Church 1973, RoD, 5-10, Proposed text, p. 43
PCUS 1933, RoD, V-§191
PCUS 1925, RoD, V-§191
PCUS 1879, RoD, V-10
When a member of a church court is under process, all his official functions may be suspended, at its discretion; but this shall never be done in the way of censure.
PCUS 1876 draft, Rules of Discipline, V-10
When a member of a Church court is under process, all his official functions may be suspended, at its discretion; but this shall never be done in the way of censure.
PCUS 1869 draft, Canons of Discipline, V-10
When a member of a Church-court is under process, all his functions as a member of the court may be suspended, at its discretion, but this shall never be done in the way of censure.
PCUS 1867 draft, Canons of Discipline, V-10
When a member of a church-court is under process, all his functions as a member of the court may be suspended, at its discretion, but this shall never be done in the way of censure.
Chapter Index [links to Par. 1 of each chapter]: |
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FoG
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I. King & Head of Church
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.§1. |
RoD
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II. Preliminary Principles
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DfW |
47 |
48 |
49 |
51 |
52 |
53 |
54 |
55 |
56 |
59 |
60 |
61 |
62 |
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[FoG = Form of Government ; RoD = Rules of Discipline ; DfW = Directory for Worship] |
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