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Chapter 2: About the Book of Order and its interpretation
2.1 Purpose of the Book of Order
1. This Book of Order has the following purposes:
a) to order the life and mission of the Church consistently with its standards,
b) to define the membership and provide for individuals to become members of congregations of the Church, and
c) to provide for the governance (including administrative, financial, legislative and judicial functions) of the Church.
Defined terms: Book of Order, Church, congregation, member
2.2 Authority of the Book of Order
All members of congregations and any other person affected by any provision in the Book of Order must comply with the Book of Order, except for members of co-operative ventures in circumstances where the Guide to Procedures in Co-operative Ventures applies.
Defined terms: Book of Order, Church, congregation, co-operative venture, Guide to Procedures in Co-operative ventures, member
2.3 Structure of the Book of Order
1. This Book of Order is divided into chapters that are numbered sequentially in Arabic numerals beginning with chapter 1.
2. Each chapter is divided into sections numbered sequentially in Arabic numerals beginning with section 1.
3. Sections may be divided into subsections numbered (1), (2) and so on, and subsections may be further divided into paragraphs lettered (a), (b) and so on.
4. A reference in a provision of the Book of Order to a numbered section is to be understood as a reference to the section of that number in the chapter in which the reference is made unless it is specifically stated that the reference is to a section of another chapter. For example: a reference anywhere in chapter 6 to “section 4” is to be understood as a reference to section 4 of chapter 6. On the other hand there could be a reference such as “section 4 of chapter 9”.
5. A reference in a section of a chapter to a numbered subsection is to be understood as a reference to the subsection of that number in the section in which the reference is made unless it is specifically stated that the reference is to a subsection of another section. For example: a reference anywhere in section 6 to subsection (3) is to be understood as a reference to subsection (3) of section 6. On the other hand there could be a reference such as “subsection (3) of section 7”.
6. A reference in a section or subsection to a lettered paragraph is to be understood as a reference to the paragraph of that letter in the section or subsection in which the reference is made. For example: a reference in subsection (2) to paragraph (c) is to be understood as a reference to paragraph (c) of subsection (2).
Defined term: Book of Order
2.4 Use of defined terms in the Book of Order
1. The Book of Order includes many words and expressions that are defined in Appendix I for the purposes of this Book. Defined terms that are used in a section are indicated for information in a boxed note following that section.
2. Where a word or expression is defined in Appendix I, other parts of speech and grammatical forms of the word or expression in this Book of Order have corresponding meanings.
3. Appendix I is to be regarded as part of this Book of Order.
Defined term: Book of Order
2.5 Interpretation of headings
The headings contained in this Book of Order are intended only to facilitate use of the Book of Order and must not be used for the purposes of interpreting any of its provisions.
Defined term: Book of Order
2.6 Summary of functions of persons and bodies
1. A practical summary of the respective functions under this Book of Order of various persons and bodies is set out for information only in Appendix II.
2. In the event of any inconsistency between a provision of this Book of Order and a provision of the summary in Appendix II, the provision of the Book of Order takes precedence and prevails.
Defined term: Book of Order
2.7 Alteration of the Book of Order
1. There are certain provisions of the Book of Order that can be altered, amended or deleted only in accordance with the special legislative procedure that is set out in section 9 of chapter 14 and section 6 of chapter 8.
2. Sections of a chapter that can be altered, amended or deleted only in accordance with the special legislative procedure are indicated at the end of each chapter.
3. Provisions of the Book of Order other than those that can be altered only in accordance with the special legislative procedure can be altered, amended or deleted by resolution passed at a meeting of the General Assembly.
4. Sections in this chapter cannot be altered, amended or deleted in any way except in accordance with the special legislative procedure.
Defined term: Book of Order, General Assembly, special legislative procedure