The Form of Government, Chapter XIV, A., defines a board as "a body appointed and empowered by a court of the Church to take management of certain specified duties in advancing the mission of the Church."

The boards appointed by the General Synod shall perform the work entrusted to them without particular instructions, but shall follow the general instructions of the Court; additionally, all boards shall be guided by the following guidelines and limitations as expressed in Chapter XIV, A., of the Form of Government:

"1. Purpose. A board is a body appointed and empowered by a Court of the Church to take management of certain specified duties in advancing the mission of the church.

"2. Authority and Responsibility.

a. A board shall perform special work entrusted to it without particular instructions from the appointing court but shall follow the general instructions of the court.
b. A board shall be empowered to study, initiate, and administer programs and funds, and hold title to properties within its specific area of responsibility.
c. A board shall make an annual report to the appointing court, giving full statement of all business transacted and actions taken during the year.
d. Any action of a board may be approved, amended, or set aside by the appointing court.
e. A board shall keep full and accurate records of its proceedings in permanent form which shall be available for review and inspection as required by the appointing court.

"3. Composition and Organization.

a. Members of a board shall be appointed and their terms of membership shall be fixed by the appointing court.
b. A board shall elect its own officers and, subject to the approval of the appointing court, shall adopt a constitution and by-laws.
c. A board may incorporate; however, the provisions of its charter and by-laws must always be in accordance with the Form of Government of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church.

"4. Any newly-elected member of any board or committee or any newly-appointed administrative or teaching employee of any board shall have given satisfactory evidence of his belief in and adherence to the basic doctrines of evangelical Christianity." (1992 Minutes of Synod, p. 2)

The following definition of evangelical was adopted by the 1976 General Synod: "The word 'evangelical' comes from a Greek root meaning 'good news' and it refers to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In a broad sense, evangelicals are people who believe that the Bible is God's inspired Word and that an individual can become a Christian only by accepting Jesus Christ as his personal Savior. Evangelicals believe:
"1. The Bible to be the inspired, the only infallible authoritative Word of God.
"2. That there is one God, eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
"3. In the Deity of the Lord Jesus Christ, in His Virgin Birth, in His sinless life, in His miracles, in His vicarious and atoning death through the shed blood, in His bodily resurrection, in His ascension to the right hand of the Father, and in His personal return in power and glory.
"4. That for the salvation of lost and sinful man, regeneration by the Holy Spirit is absolutely essential.
"5. In the present ministry of the Holy Spirit by whose indwelling the Christian is enabled to live a godly life.
"6. In the resurrection of both the saved and the lost; that they that are saved unto the resurrection of life and they that are lost unto the resurrection of damnation.
"7. In the spiritual unity of believers in the Lord Jesus Christ."

In the area of financial management, boards and their Agencies shall not engage in the solicitation of funds within the denomination without the specific prior approval of the General Synod. (2006 Minutes of Synod, p. 103)

The General Synod has appointed the following boards to carry out specific missions of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church:
Executive Board of the General Synod
Board of Benefits
Board of Trustees of Bonclarken Conference Center
Christian Education Ministries of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church
Board of Trustees of William H. Dunlap Orphanage, Inc.
Board of Trustees of Erskine College
Board of Outreach North America
Board of The Associate Reformed Presbyterian
Board of Stewardship
World Witness, The Board of Foreign Missions

The General Synod or the Executive Board of Synod acting on behalf of Synod, may, from time to time, create or authorize the creation of separate legal entities to carry out the particular duties of an appointed board. The provisions of the Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws of such legal entities must always be in accordance with the Form of Government of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church. Unless directed otherwise these legal entities shall be accountable to the General Synod through the Executive Board of the General Synod. (2004 Minutes of Synod, p. 510)

A particular charge of the Committee on Nominations is to nominate to the General Synod those persons best qualified to serve on Synod's boards and committees. Sessions are encouraged to present the opportunities for service to challenge members of the congregation to seek opportunities for service in accordance with their spiritual gifts.
1. Boards are entrusted by General Synod to provide oversight of the ministries assigned to the board and shall develop policies and procedures to assure accountability at all levels of the ministry assigned to the Board.
2. Boards are accountable to the General Synod to ensure that their board is providing oversight of its particular mission on behalf of General Synod. Board Chairmen should serve as primary contact in relating to General Synod.
3. Board Chairmen are to approve reimbursements to Directors.
4. Executive Sessions of Board Meetings should include the Moderator, Moderator-Elect, and Coordinator, unless the Board determines otherwise for a particular reason.
5. Presbytery representatives are responsible for conveying the input of their sending Presbytery to the board, and for reporting regularly to their Presbytery regarding the work of the board and its actions.
6. Presbyteries are urged to elect committee chairmen who have a genuine desire to serve Presbytery and Synod in their respective roles.
7. Where possible, Presbytery representation should be divided equally between teaching and ruling elders.
8. Board Chairmen are expected to attend an orientation session conducted by the Coordinator at the beginning of their term of office.

A description of the authorities and duties of those boards appointed by General Synod follows. (NOTE: For by-laws, constitutions, and policy books/manuals which are not included herein, please contact the appropriate board or agency.)