BOOK OF DISCIPLINE - Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church

270 BOOK OF DISCIPLINEand manifests repentance, be deposed from office. Except insuch cases, deposition is to preceded by suspension to givetime for careful consideration before deposition is imposed.In the case of a pastor who confesses his sin and manifestsrepentence, and yet the presbytery moves to depose him,upon deposition his name shall be removed from the rollof the presbytery and the presbytery shall dismiss him toa particular Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church orother Christian Church that will agree to receive him as amember and offer him spiritual care and pastoral oversight.The presbytery may recommend that the deposed minister,if he be under suspension from the Lord's Table, be receivedas a member by the particular church under the censure ofsuspencaion (BOD V.A.8) until he gives such evidence ofrepentance as may warrant its repeal.6. Expulsion: the officiating minister shall read the decisionof the court in the presence of the congregation and recountthe steps taken in the case, showing the necessity of this censure.He is then to lead the congregation in prayer for boththe church court and the offender. After the announcementof the censure, he is to instruct the members of the churchthat expulsion does not destroy the bonds of natural andcivil relations. Nor does expulsion relieve them from theirChristian responsibility to witness to the love of God to theexpelled person. The session, when it considers this censurenecessary, may refer the matter, along with a full record of theproceeding, the evidence in the case, and its recommendations,to the presbytery. The presbytery may then order suchcensures as it deems proper to be imposed by the session.7. In all cases of censure by lower church courts, the offendershall be advised of his right of appeal to a higher court.Amendment No. 1, VII.5, June 8, 2005