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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. |
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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)
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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.
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