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.