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What is unique about
the Presbyterian Church?
Presbyterians are distinctive in two major ways: they 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.
Reformed Theology. Theology is a way of thinking about God and God's
relation to the world. Reformed theology evolved during the 16th century
religious movement known as the Protestant Reformation. It emphasizes God's
supremacy over everything and humanity's chief purpose as being to glorify and
enjoy God forever.
In its confessions, the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) expresses
the faith of the Reformed tradition. Central to this tradition is the
affirmation of the majesty, holiness, and providence of God who creates,
sustains, rules, and redeems the world in the freedom of sovereign
righteousness and love. Related to this central affirmation of God's
sovereignty are other great themes of the Reformed tradition:
* The election of the people of God for service as well as
for salvation;
* Covenant life marked by a disciplined concern for order
in the church according to the Word of God;
* A faithful stewardship that shuns ostentation and seeks
proper use of the gifts of God's creation;
* The recognition of the human tendency to idolatry and
tyranny, which calls the people of God to work for the transformation of
society by seeking justice and living in obedience to the Word of God. (Book
of Order G-2.0500)
Church Government. A major contributor to Reformed theology was John
Calvin, who converted from Roman Catholicism after training for the priesthood
and in the law. In exile in Geneva, Switzerland, Calvin developed the presbyterian
pattern of church government, which vests governing authority primarily in
elected laypersons known as elders. The word presbyterian comes from the
Greek word for elder.
Elders are chosen by the people. Together with ministers of
the Word and Sacrament, they exercise leadership, government, and discipline
and have responsibilities for the life of a particular church as well as the
church at large, including ecumenical relationships. They shall serve
faithfully as members of the session. (G-10.0102) When elected commissioners
to higher governing bodies, elders participate and vote with the same
authority as ministers of the Word and Sacrament, and they are eligible for
any office. (Book of Order G-6.0302)
The body of elders elected to govern a particular congregation is called a session.
They are elected by the congregation and in one sense are representatives of the
other members of the congregation. On the other hand, their primary charge is to
seek to discover and represent the will of Christ as they govern. Presbyterian
elders are both elected and ordained. Through ordination they are
officially set apart for service. They retain their ordination beyond their term
in office. Ministers who serve the congregation are also part of the session.
The session is the smallest, most local governing body. The other governing
bodies are presbyteries, which are composed of several churches; synods, which
are composed of several presbyteries; and the General Assembly, which represents
the entire denomination. Elders and ministers who serve on these governing
bodies are also called presbyters.
(Copyright 1997, Presbyfax, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.),
Louisville, KY)
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