The Historical Development of the Book of Church Order

Chapter 21 : The Ordination and Installation of Ministers

Paragraph 2 : On Completion of an Internship

21-2. When an intern has completed his internship to the satisfaction of the Presbytery, and has accepted a call, the Presbytery shall take immediate steps for his ordination.

DIGEST: As the PCA now requires a program of internship prior to ordination, so the text here has been changed from the earlier "licentiate" to that of "intern". A licentiate in the PCA cannot move directly into ordination without having first fulfilled the term of internship. Of note in PCA 1973 is the addition of "or denomination" to the wording of that text, presumably a reflection of the temporary conditions created by the establishment of the new denomination.

BACKGROUND & COMPARISON:
PCA 1973, 22-2, Adopted text, as printed in the Minutes of General Assembly, p. 140
When a call for the pastoral services of a licentiate has been accepted by him, the Presbytery or denomination shall take immediate steps for his ordination.

Continuing Presbyterian Church 1973, 22-2, Proposed text, p. 28
PCUS 1933, XXIV, §133
PCUS 1925, XXIV, §133
When a call for the pastoral services of a licentiate has been accepted by him, the Presbytery shall take immediate steps for his ordination.

PCUS 1879, VI-5-2
and
PCUS 1869 draft, VI-5-2
When a call for the pastoral services of a probationer has been accepted by him, the Presbytery shall take immediate steps for his ordination.

PCUS 1867 draft, VI-5-2
When a call for the pastoral services of a probationer has been accepted by him, the presbytery shall take immediate steps for his ordination.

PCUSA 1789, Chapter XIII - Of licensing Candidates, or Probationers to preach the Gospel.
Sect. I. The holy Scriptures require, that some trial be previously had, of those who are to be ordained to the ministry of the gospel, that this sacred office may not be degraded, by being committed to weak or unworthy men; and that the churches may have an opportunity to form a better judgment respecting the talents of those by whom they are to be instructed and governed. For this purpose presbyteries shall license probationers, to preach the gospel; that after a competent trial of their talents, and receiving, from the churches, a good report; they may, in due time, ordain them to the pastoral office.

COMMENTARY:
F.P. Ramsay, Exposition of the Book of Church Order (1898, pp. 142-143) on VI-5-2 :
117.--II. When a call for the pastoral services of a probationer has been accepted by him, the Presbytery shall take immediate steps for his ordination.
When the three parties--the church and the Presbytery and the man called--have all agreed that the relation should be established, no pleas of convenience or of other ground shall be permitted to delay it, in the case of a probationer ; but in the case of an ordained Minister other interests may justify a delay.

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