About the Presbyterian Church: The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has approximately 2.3 million members, more than 10,000 congregations and 14,000 ordained and active ministers.  We trace our history to the 16th century and the Protestant Reformation.  Our heritage, and much of what we believe, began with John Calvin (1509-1564), whose writings crystallized much of the Reformed thinking that came before him.   We adhere to a pattern of religious thought known as Reformed theology and a form of government that stresses the active, representational leadership of both ministers and church members.  The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is distinctly a confessional and a connectional church. 

How Our Church Is Governed: Christ is the head of the church.   As one branch of the church universal, the Presbyterian Church (USA) is a representative democracy distinguished by the representation of elders (laymen and laywomen) in its government.  The local church is governed by the Session made up of presbyters:  teaching elders (Ministers of Word and Sacrament) and ruling elders (laymen and laywomen elected from and by the congregation).  The Session oversees the day-to-day work of the church and supervises the work of the Board of Deacons.  There are four Councils of the Presbyterian Church (USA):

Session—or local church council—made up of ordained ministers (teaching elders) and ruling elders. 

Presbytery—or regional council—made up of ruling elders and ministers (teaching elders) from local congregations

Synod—Representatives elected from each Presbytery to oversee several Presbyteries. 

General Assembly—The national council made up of equal numbers of lay people and clergy chosen by the presbyteries. 

The Constitution of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) consists of two parts. The first volume is The Book of Confessions and the second is called the Book of Order (consisting of the Foundations of Presbyterian Polity, Form of Government, Directory for Worship, and Rules of Discipline).

Teaching Elders—Teaching elders (also called ministers of the Word and Sacrament) shall in all things be committed to teaching the faith and equipping the saints for the work of ministry (Eph. 4:12). They may serve in a variety of ministries, as authorized by the presbytery. When they serve as preachers and teachers of the Word, they shall preach and teach the faith of the church, so that the people are shaped by the pattern of the gospel and strengthened for witness and service. When they serve at font and table, they shall interpret the mysteries of grace and lift the people’s vision toward the hope of God’s new creation. When they serve as pastors, they shall support the people in the disciplines of the faith amid the struggles of daily life. When they serve as presbyters, they shall participate in the responsibilities of governance, seeking always to discern the mind of Christ and to build up Christ’s body through devotion, debate, and decision.

Ruling Elders—As there were in Old Testament times elders for the government of the people, so the New Testament church provided persons with particular gifts to share in discernment of God’s Spirit and governance of God’s people. Accordingly, congregations should elect persons of wisdom and maturity of faith, having demonstrated skills in leadership and being compassionate in spirit. Ruling elders are so named not because they “lord it over” the congregation (Matt. 20:25), but because they are chosen by the congregation to discern and measure its fidelity to the Word of God, and to strengthen and nurture its faith and life. Ruling elders, together with teaching elders, exercise leadership, government, spiritual discernment, and discipline and have responsibilities for the life of a congregation as well as the whole church, including ecumenical relationships.

Deacons—The ministry of deacon as set forth in Scripture is one of compassion, witness, and service, sharing in the redeeming love of Jesus Christ for the poor, the hungry, the sick, the lost, the friendless, the oppressed, those burdened by unjust policies or structures, or anyone in distress.  Persons of spiritual character, honest repute, exemplary lives, brotherly and sisterly love, sincere compassion, and sound judgment should be chosen for this ministry.