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Presbyterian Church Facts -
Presbyterians trace
their history to the 16th century and the Protestant Reformation.
Our heritage, and much of what we believe, began with the French
lawyer John Calvin (1509-1564), whose writings crystallized much of
the Reformed thinking that
came before him.
Calvin did much of his
writing from Geneva, Switzerland. From there, the Reformed movement
spread to other parts of Europe and the British Isles. Many of the
early Presbyterians in America came from England, Scotland and
Ireland. The first American Presbytery was organized at Philadelphia
in 1706. The first General Assembly was held in the same city in
1789. The first Assembly was convened by the Rev. John Witherspoon,
the only minister to sign the
Declaration of Independence.
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:
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The election of the people of God for service
as well as for salvation;
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Covenant life marked by a disciplined concern
for order in the church according to the Word of God;
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A faithful stewardship that shuns ostentation
and seeks proper use of the gifts of God's creation;
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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)
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. (Book of Order, 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.
For more information about
Presbyterianism, its history and the Presbyterian Church U.S.A. click
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