1. Original jurisdiction over church members, including non-communing members, and over elders and deacons as officers, is vested in the session of the congregation to which they belong.
2. Original jurisdiction over ministers is vested in the presbytery to which they belong.
3. In cases where the court having original jurisdiction is unable or unwilling to exercise jurisdiction, the next higher court may assume original jurisdiction upon demonstration of sufficient cause having been shown to the higher court.
4. A higher court has appellate jurisdiction in all cases appealed from a lower court.
5. Jurisdiction over members and ministers remains in the proper church court until the person involved comes under the jurisdiction of another church body.
6. Jurisdiction over members ceases upon their expulsion. Original jurisdiction by the presbytery over ministers ceases upon their deposition and dismissal to a particular congregation.

Amendment No. 1, III.6, June 8, 2005