Suggested Forms for Use in Connection with the Book of Discipline
I. Charge and Specifications
____________________ (here insert the title of the trial judicatory) of The Orthodox Presbyterian Church charges ____________________ with ____________________ (here name the alleged offense): ____________________ (here give references to applicable portions of the Word of God, and, where pertinent, to relevant provisions of the constitution.)
Specifications: That on or about __________ the said ____________________ did ____________________ (here set forth briefly the place and circumstances of the alleged offense.)
Witnesses and/or Documents: ____________________ (here set forth the names of witnesses and/or the titles of documents to be produced in support of the charge and specifications.)
____________________ (Moderator)
____________________ (Clerk)
Date: ____________________
II. Citation of Accused
To ____________________ :
You are hereby cited to appear before ____________________, meeting on _______ at _________ o'clock at _________, then and there to hear and receive certain charges and specifications which have been preferred against you by ____________________ (here insert the title of the trial judicatory) of The Orthodox Presbyterian Church.
(In the case of a second citation, add the appropriate warning prescribed by Chapter IV, Section A.1.e, of the Book of Discipline.)
By order of ____________________ (here insert the title of the trial judicatory) of The Orthodox Presbyterian Church.
____________________ (Moderator)
____________________ (Clerk)
Date: ____________________
III. Citation of Witness
To ____________________ :
You are hereby cited to appear before ____________________, meeting on _______ at ________ o'clock, at ________, then and there to give evidence in the trial of ____________________ (here insert the name of the accused).
(In the case of a second citation of a witness who has failed to appear after a first citation, add the warning prescribed in Chapter IV, Section A.4.e, of the Book of Discipline.)
By order of ____________________ (here insert the title of the trial judicatory) of The Orthodox Presbyterian Church.
____________________ (Moderator)
____________________ (Clerk)
Date: ____________________
IV. Notice of Intention to Appeal
(in Judicial Cases)
To ____________________, Clerk (or Moderator) of ____________________ (here insert the title of the judicatory from which the appeal is to be taken) of The Orthodox Presbyterian Church:
And now, this _______ day of _________, A.D. ________, comes ____________________ and gives notice of intention to appeal to ____________ from the judgment of ____________________ in the case of ____________________ (here insert the name of the accused.)
_________________, Appellant
Date: ____________________
V. Appeal
(in Judicial Cases)
To _________________, Clerk (or Moderator) of _________________ (here insert the title of the judicatory to which the appeal is taken) of The Orthodox Presbyterian Church:
And now, this __________ day of _________, A.D. _____, comes _________________ and appeals from the judgment of _________________ in the case of _________________ (here insert the name of the accused), and in support of said appeal sets forth the following specifications of error:
(Here insert the title of the judicatory from which the appeal is taken) of The Orthodox Presbyterian Church erred in _________________ (here state concisely the error alleged to have been made).
(Additional specifications of error may be filed.)
_________________, Appellant
Date: ____________________
VI. Complaint
To _________________, Clerk (or Moderator) of _________________ (here insert the title of the judicatory to which the complaint is taken) of The Orthodox Presbyterian Church:
And now, this _______ day of _______, A.D. _______, comes _________________ and complains against the action (or delinquency) of _________________ in connection with _________________ (here state briefly the matter of which complaint is made).
In bringing this complaint I affirm that I believe that the session (or presbytery) has erred (or has been delinquent) and that this error (or delinquency) is serious; that I have tried to understand the session's (or presbytery's) point of view; that I have seriously examined, in prayer before the Lord, my willingness to be in subjection to my brothers in Christ; and that I have made a serious effort to correct the error (or delinquency) short of entering a complaint.
In support of this complaint I set forth the following grounds:
(Here set forth concisely in numbered paragraphs
the grounds of fact, circumstance and law in support of the complaint.)
_________________, Complainant
Date: ____________________
VII. Appeal
(in Administrative Cases)
To _________________, Clerk of _________________: And now, this __________ day of __________, A.D. __________, comes _________________ and appeals from the decision of the _________________ on the enclosed complaint of _________________ against actions of the _____________, in order to bring that complaint to _________________ for adjudication.
_________________, Appellant
Date: ____________________
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