GLEANINGS — July 7, A.D. 2013
On Biblical Church Government under Christ our only Head: 
The Session  

Today's gleaning is CONDENSED  (and with some emphases added by underlining ) from Chapter 12 of the Book of Church Order. In submission to the holy Scriptures, that document is a part of our constitution as a congregation of the P.C.A. It is good to be reminded of these matters...

12-1. The church Session consists of the pastor, associate pastor(s), if there be any, and the ruling elders of a church. 

12-2. The pastor is, by virtue of his office, the moderator (presides over - ed.) of the Session.

12-5. The church Session is charged with maintaining the spiritual government of the church, for which purpose it has power:

A. To inquire into the knowledge, principles and Christian conduct of the church members under its care; to censure those found delinquent; to see that parents do not neglect to present their children for Baptism; to receive members into the communion of the Church; to remove them for just cause; to grant letters of dismissal to other churches, which when given to parents, shall always include the names of their non-communing, baptized children;

B. To examine, ordain, and install ruling elders and deacons on their election by the church, and to require these officers to devote themselves to their work; to examine the records of the proceedings of the deacons; to approve and adopt the budget;

C. To approve actions of special importance affecting church property;

D. To call congregational meetings when necessary; to establish and control Sunday schools and Bible classes with special reference to the children of the church; to establish and control all special groups in the church; to promote world missions; to promote obedience to the Great Commission in its totality at home and abroad; to order collections for pious uses;

E. To exercise authority over the time and place of...all other religious services, over the music and singing in the services, and over the uses to which church property may be put; to ensure that the Word of God is preached only by such men as are sufficiently qualified (BCO 4-4, 53-2, 1 Timothy 2:11-12)

F. To observe and carry out the lawful injunctions of the higher courts; (Presbytery and General Assembly - ed.) and to appoint representatives to the higher courts, who shall, on their return, make report of their diligence.

12-6 to 8. The Session shall hold stated meetings at least quarterly...keep an accurate record of its proceedings,which record shall be submitted at least once in every year to the inspection of the Presbytery...and keep an accurate record of baptisms, of communing members, of non-communing members, and of the deaths and dismissions of church members.

12-9. Meetings of the Session shall be opened and closed with prayer.
The full text of the Book of Church Order is available on the P.C.A. website