Acolyte (Congregational)
- A person recommended by the joint board of the
congregation and approved by the PEC. Congregational acolytes assist a
pastor in various areas of ministry including the distribution of the
elements of Holy Communion.
Acolyte (Provincial)
- A person appointed by the PEC to serve as a lay
pastor with permission to administer the sacraments only in the
congregation served. (Southern Province only, see Licensed Minister)
Bishop - Third order of the ministry of Word and Sacrament with
privileges of officiating for ordinations and consecrations on the
commission by the PEC. A Bishop is a pastor to pastors, intercessor for
the church, and leader in matters spiritual and doctrinal.
Board of Elders - Elected members of a congregation for a given term of
service to oversee and direct the spiritual affairs of the congregation.
Board of Trustees - Elected members of a congregation for a given term of
service to oversee and direct the financial affairs and care for church
property of the congregation.
Books of Order - The written constitution of a Province, with definitions
of service for agencies and affiliated institutions along with
recommendations for local congregational order. They contain statements
of belief commensurate with the Church Order of the
Unitas Fratrum - Each
province has its own Book of Order consistent with COUF.
Church Council
- A legislative gathering of communicant members of a
congregation, gathering at least annually, to elect Elders and Trustees,
and to address matters of great importance to the congregation,
excluding the call of a pastor.
Church Order of the Unitas Fratrum (COUF)
- The fundamental documents,
structure and organization of the world-wide Unity, proceedings of the
most recent Unity Synod, and Rules of Order for doing business as a
Unity Synod.
Covenant for Christian Living
- A statement of the church on its faith
and life through which members may become aware of the nature of their
Christian commitment. Though this document originated in Germany in
1727, it has various editions throughout the Provinces of the Unity.
Daily Texts - A book of daily devotional readings of scripture, hymns and
prayers. It was first published in 1731 and is now available in 50
languages and dialects.
Deacon - The first order of ministry of Word and Sacrament with the
privilege of officiating at all rites and sacraments except the
ordination of deacons and the consecration of presbyters or bishops.
District
- Congregations in a geographic region designated by a synod.
Synods have established districts with differing degrees of authority
and responsibility.
District Board - An administrative body to oversee a district's
administration and/or programs.
District Conference (Northern Province only)
- A gathering of
congregational delegates and district personnel to review important
issues of a district for the purpose of education, inspiration, and
making recommendations to a district synod.
District Synod (Northern Province only)
- The legislative body of a
district meeting at a designated interval of time.
Ground of the Unity
- The basic statement of belief of the Moravian
Church.
Interprovincial Agencies
- Program agencies constituted by Northern and
Southern Province synods to direct ministries on behalf of both
provinces.
Intersynodal Conference (Southern Province only)
- A gathering of
congregational delegates and provincial personnel to review important
issues for the purpose of education, inspiration, and making
recommendations to a provincial synod.
Joint Board - The Elders and Trustees of a congregation meeting jointly.
Primary responsibilities of the Joint Board are to confer with the PEC
for the call of a pastor and to approve the annual budget.
Licensed Minister (Northern Province only)
- A person appointed by the PEC to serve as a lay pastor. The license may include the privilege of
administering the sacraments in the congregation served.
Lovefeast - A worship service growing out of the agapé practice of the
apostolic church. It is primarily a song service in which each person is
served simple meal, such as a bun and cup of coffee. Lovefeasts are
appropriate for anniversaries, missionary occasions, or other occasions
in which there is a desire to stress the headship of Christ and the
fellowship of the church.
Membership - As of December 31, 1999, total membership of the Moravian
Church in America was 48,070. This includes 38,378 communing members,
and 9,272 non-communing youth and children. There were 103 congregations
in the Northern Province and 57 in the Southern Province.
Moravian Book of Worship
- The primary worship resource for the Moravian
Church in America, containing liturgies, canticles and hymns.
Moravian Book of Worship Manual for Worship Planners
- Articles on
Moravian worship, the church year, liturgies, rites and sacraments,
psalms and canticles, and hymns. Indices not in the Moravian Book of
Worship are included.
Official Directory
- The roll of clergy is published annually in the
Directory and Statistics, which is included in the Daily Texts book.
PECs Meeting Jointly
- Annual consultation of the PECs, North and South,
to discuss matters of common concern and interest.
Presbyter - The second order of ministry of Word and Sacrament.
Consecration as a Presbyter is an act of spiritual encouragement and
affirmation by the Church commissioned by the PEC, normally after 3-5
years of service as a Deacon. Only Presbyters are candidates for
election as Bishop.
President of the Provincial Elders' Conference
- A person (either lay or
clergy) elected by a provincial synod to serve as the leading
administrative officer of the province during the intersynodal period.
The president serves as one of the elected members of the PEC.
Province - The worldwide Unity is made up of 19 provinces, each with its
own constitution and Book of Order. Provinces are linked together for
mutual help and cooperation as the Unity.
Provincial Agencies
- Synod-constituted agencies to give direction to
particular areas of ministry.
Provincial Elders' Conference (PEC)
- A body of synod-elected individuals
to direct and lead the province between the synods according to
directions given in the Book of Order of the Province. Seven persons
comprise the PEC/North (three clergy, four lay) and five persons
comprise the PEC/South (three clergy, two lay) In some provinces the
more common terminology is Provincial Board.
Provincial Synod - The legislative body of a Province meeting at
designated intervals.
Sacraments - There are two sacraments in the Moravian Church, Holy
Communion and Baptism.
Services for Holy Communion
- A publication of additional communion
services, supplement to the Moravian Book of Worship.
Standards of Responsible Behavior for Ordained Ministers
- A document
outlining the expectations of the Moravian Church in America for its
ordained ministers, included in the Book of Order.
Unitas Fratrum - Latin for Unity of Brethren, another name for the
Moravian Church.
Unity Board - Administrative Board of the Moravian Unity. The Unity Board
consists of one member of each provincial board and acts on behalf of
the Unity between Unity Synods. An Advisory Committee acts on behalf of
the Unity Board between meetings of the Board. The Advisory Committee is
comprised of the Unity Board Chair, the Vice Chair, and representatives
from each of the two regions not already represented by the Chair and
Vice Chair. (The regions of the Unity are Africa, the Caribbean, Europe,
and North America).
Unity Synod - Convenes once every seven years as the highest, worldwide
authority of the Moravian Church with representatives from each
province.
