Creation of Union Congregations:
PCUSA Form of Government (FOG-Book of Order):
G-5.05 Joint Congregational Witness
When its strategy for mission requires it, a presbytery may approve the creation of a joint witness between congregations of this denomination and congregations of other Christian churches that recognize Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, accept the authority of Scripture, and observe the Sacraments of Baptism and the Lord's Supper.
a. Such joint witnesses shall be subject to the constitution of each denomination involved. Whenever the constitution of the denominations differ, the mandatory provisions of one shall apply in all cases when the others are permissive. Wherever there are conflicting mandatory provisions, the congregational council shall petition the next higher councils or governing bodies to resolve the conflict.
b. Such joint witness shall be formed according to a plan approved by a two-thirds majority of the members of each of the congregations at duly called meetings of the congregation, and by the presbytery or comparable council or governing body of each church. No provision of a plan for joint witness shall be construed as modifying or amending the Constitution of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
c. After consultation with the congregation involved in joint witness and the next higher council or governing body of the other denomination involved, a presbytery may receive a congregation from or transfer a congregation to a denomination with which the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is in full communion or correspondence when it determines that the strategy for mission of that congregation is better served by such a transfer (G-3.0303b)
Comment: Officers of the PCUSA have interpreted this to apply only to established NON-PCUSA churches which wish have a Joint Congregational Witness with the PCUSA.
EVANGELICAL COVENANT ORDER OF PRESBYTERIANS
Polity and Discipline section 5.0202 Union Congregations
Congregations, historically members of the PC(USA) or other Reformed denominations, who wish to maintain that membership while joining with the ECO and who recognize and teach the Essential Tenants may request to join a presbytery of the ECO after a period and process of discernment, and a two-thirds vote of the congregation at a duly called meeting. This joint witness shall be formed in communication with the presbytery or comparable governing body of each denomination. Wherever the constitutions of the denominations differ, any mandatory provisions of one shall apply in all cases where the other is permissive.
Comments:
I have left this on the website for congregations who wish to take this action, becoming a Joint Congregational Witness with the ECO, and who wish to try and defend it, in a remedial action, before the PCUSA PJC. There is no guarantee that the PCUSA PJC would rule in favor of the congregation, this, based upon the OGA published comments and interpretations.
Language needs to be added, by Presbyteries, that for purposes of Section 5 of the PCUSA Form of Government (Book of Order), that a body in full communion with the PCUSA, includes the Evangelical Covenant Order of Presbyterians. In addition, for purposes of Section 5 of the PCUSA Form of Government (Book of Order), an existing PCUSA congregation can vote to have a Joint Congregational Witness with a ECO Presbytery. If that existing PCUSA congregation conducts a congregational vote that attains a 60% affirmative vote, to become a Joint Congregational Witness with an ECO Presbytery, that their PCUSA presbytery must permit the congregation to have a Joint Congregational Witness with both the PCUSA Presbytery and the ECO Presbytery, (for purposes of the PCUSA Form of Government (Book of Order) section G-5).
The PCUSA loses nothing, since they maintain their equity interest in these congregations and continue to receive Per Capita from them.
If the PCUSA, Office of the General Assembly, truly wants a voice in the ECO, and transparency, then the PCUSA Office of the General Assembly should ask for two or three permanent seats on the ECO's Board of Directors, to be held by two to three of the PCUSA's Office of the General Assembly's officers, (such as the Stated Clerk, Moderator, the Chair of the Missions Committee, etc.). This should be an acceptable accommodation in exchange for the PCUSA OGA permitting Joint Congregational Witnesses by PCUSA congregations with the ECO Presbyteries.
