Frequently Asked Questions

The General Assembly is a council of the church, a discernment event, and a worshipping body.

As a council, the General Assembly is made up of commissioners from the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)’s presbyteries, with teaching elders (ministers of the Word and Sacrament) and ruling elders represented in equal numbers. Young adult advisory delegates, theological student advisory delegates, and partner advisory delegates representing global mission organizations, partner churches, and interreligious groups also constitute the assembly. These individuals gather for committees and plenary sessions to discern the direction of the church and make decisions that are implemented throughout the life of the PC(U.S.A.).

As a discernment event, the General Assembly occurs every two years. It includes committee meetings, plenary sessions, meals, educational opportunities, and other planned and impromptu gatherings.

As a worshipping body, the General Assembly is a time when people from across the PC(U.S.A.) and beyond gather to celebrate God’s work in the world.

The General Assembly is not an agency of the PC(U.S.A.) made up of national staff. It is not a council that makes decisions apart from the rest of the church, as it is made of members from the whole PC(U.S.A.). It is not a meeting set apart from the work and worship of the PC(U.S.A.), but it is fundamentally connected to the identity of the church and seeks to reflect the ways we honor God.

The General Assembly’s commissioners, with the advice of advisory delegates vote on issues that guide the work of the church. Decisions made by the General Assembly include, but are not limited to: 

• recommendations for changes to the constitution of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.),
• policies that provide a foundation for how the church lives out its beliefs through public statements and social witness,
• decisions regarding how the church should faithfully invest its time, funds, and personnel,
• and decisions regarding how the church can best organize itself to reflect the will of God.

In many ways, the work of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is directly shaped by the General Assembly- from the hymns that are sung in congregations, to the ways presbyteries resource their ministers, to the agencies that support the ministries of the church at all levels. 

The General Assembly is primarily staffed by volunteers from throughout the denomination who give of their time and talents to this ministry of service. These volunteers are supported and equipped by staff from across the agencies of the General Assembly, many of whom participate above and beyond their typical daily role. In addition to the support of volunteers and staff, mid council leaders equip and support commissioners and advisory delegates. Then come the commissioners and advisory delegates themselves who take on the extraordinary responsibility of preparation and faithful discernment. The General Assembly is truly an expression of the whole of the PC(USA) coming together.

The assembly is primarily supported by the per capita dollars each member of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) gives towards the work of the national church. Per capita makes it possible for commissioners, advisory delegates, and committee support to participate in the assembly without taking on the financial burden of travel and accommodations. Per capita also supports a dependent care policy that offsets the costs caretakers incur when giving their time and energy to the assembly.

The 227^th General Assembly (2026) will officially begin with committees gathering online from June 22-24, 2026. Between June 25 and 26, attendees will travel to Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Assembly will then participate in a Community Day on June 27, where the whole of those attending will be able to join in public witness opportunities and visit the “Town Square” where organizations will be available to equip attendees with resources and connections for further discipleship and ministry. Finally, the plenary sessions will take place in Milwaukee from June 28-July 2, 2026. 

Anyone! The General Assembly embraces an open meeting policy so that all who are interested in the work of the assembly may observe the assembly’s proceedings and participate in public assembly events. For those unable to travel to Milwaukee, the assembly will be livestreamed. 

Ruling Elders and Teaching Elders interested in serving as a commissioner should contact their presbytery’s leadership for more information. Young adults who will be age 18-23 on the first day of the assembly should contact their presbytery if they are interested in serving as a young adult advisory delegate.

If you’re interested in volunteering or simply want to follow along, sign up for the On the Road to GA newsletter and stay connected to the Presbyterian New Service and social networks! More information will be coming.