Dear BPCWAians, We just announced today that Rev Paul Cheng has been co-opted to form BPCWA’s Board of Elders. He graduated from the Far Eastern Bible College in 2009, served in Gethsemane Bible-Presbyterian Church in Singapore, and is currently the Pastor of Bethel Bible-Presbyterian Church in Melbourne, where he has served for 8 years. Many of us are familiar with him, as he has preached at our family camp and also conducted the wedding of our church members as well. Why is there the need to co-opt? What are the roles of the BOE and Session?
Why do we need a BOE when we already have a Session? One key reason is because, being a Presbyterian church, there should be a Board of Elders, in addition to the Session. What does Presbyterian mean? The name comes from the Greek word “presbuteros”, which means “elders”. In the Presbyterian form of church government, the church is led by a plurality of Elders. Hence the BOE cannot consist of me alone. An important distinction in the Presbyterian church is that though it is led by Elders, it is not a single man rule (for example, like in the Episcopalian and Roman Catholic Church), but is characterised by a plurality of Elders (BOE). This is why, when there is no plurality of Elders, our Church Constitution provides for co-opting (Article 12.2) Pastors or Elders from another likeminded Bible-Presbyterian church. By co-opting an Elder from another church, we are able to have a BOE. A Pastor is a teaching Elder (Eph 4:11). Being an ordained Minister and Pastor himself, Rev Paul Cheng is hence co-opted in as Associate Pastor, forming BPCWA’s plurality of Elders in our BOE together with me.
What are the roles of the BOE? What are the responsibilities of the BOE? The BOE is responsible for the spiritual oversight of the Church in matters of doctrine, principles of government, church elections, admission and discipline of members (Article 11.1). Because of the importance of this role, the BOE acts by consensus. On decisions required by the BOE, a decision cannot proceed unless there is 100% agreement among all the Elders. Such a consensus rule acts as a safeguard. The plurality of Elders prevents the church from being led astray by a single man with absolute power and rule over the whole church whereby he can introduce unbiblical doctrines or practices contrary to the church’s doctrinal confessions. This is the reason why Elders must be spiritually mature men with deep seated Biblical convictions that are fully aligned with all the doctrines of the church. When this is the case, there will be a happy harmony in the BOE, wherein everyone will make decisions biblically with one heart and one mind to build up the church in the unity of faith and practices.
What are the roles of the Session? The Session meets at least once in 2 months to discuss and plan church matters. The Deacons help to execute the spiritual and executive decisions of the BOE. While general spiritual and administrative oversight of the Church is under the BOE, this oversight may be delegated by the Board of Elders to the Session (Article 11.3). Even the most efficient and capable Pastors are unable to spend their hours both in all the operational activities of the church and also preparing to feed the flock of God with the Word. This is where the Session comes in. Deacons help in assisting in the administration of the church, under the oversight of the BOE.
Hence, while doctrinal, spiritual, and executive decisions are made by the BOE, the day to day running of the church in matters such as routine maintenance, operational improvements, and meeting regulatory accounting standards are delegated to the Deacons. We thank God for giving such a model for the church in Acts 6:1-4.
We thank God for His provision and Rev Paul Cheng’s willingness to be co-opted in to assist BPCWA form a Board of Elders. Do pray much for BPCWA to remain united, faithful, and zealous as our Lord Jesus Christ, the Great Shepherd and Head of BPCWA, leads us along.
Yours in our Lord’s service,
Pastor