  In the New Testament, the Greek word “Presbuteros” means “Elder.” This refers to the custom of choosing leaders from among wisest members of the church. The Presbyterian Church is a Representative Democracy governed by elders who are elected from and by the congregation. Both men and women are elected elders. Authority resides with the elders in the church governing bodies. The local church governing body is the Session which oversees the day to day work of that church. The overall church structure consists of four governing bodies: Session (local governing body), Presbytery (governing body over local churches), Synod (governing body over several Presbyteries), and General Assembly (national governing body over the whole denomination). Equal numbers of lay people and clergy rule together in each of the governing bodies. The Protestant Reformation shaped presbyterianism in 1517 when Martin Luther, a Roman Catholic monk, nailed his 95 page theses to a church door in Wittenburg, Germany. Luther fought against the pretensions of authority by the Pope and called for direct authority from God. He also fought against abuses in the Roman Catholic Church. Following this, John Calvin, called the father of Presbyterianism, converted to Protestantism in 1533. He interpreted the Bible as the revelation of God. He emphasized theology, worship, education, thrift, ethical behavior, and representative government. Presbyterianism spread throughout Europe. In 1559, John Knox, who had studied with Calvin, established it in Scotland. From 1643 to 1649 in England, the Westminster Assembly of 151 Presbyterians wrote the doctrinal guides. Later, Presbyterians, escaping persecution in Europe, settled in America. Presbyterianism spread. In 1705, the first presbytery in America was established in Philadelphia. During the American Revolution, at least 14 signers of the Declaration of Independence were Presbyterians. However, during the 1800’s, division occurred in the denomination over the issues of evangelism and slavery. In 1983, the United Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A. and the Presbyterian Church in the U.S. reunited to form what is now called the Presbyterian Church U.S.A. There is no strict set of beliefs, which unites Presbyterians or separates them from other followers of Christ. Like other Christians, Presbyterians believe in God, Creator of the universe; Christ, the incarnation of God on earth; the Holy Spirit, the presence of God in the world and in the believer; the Church, a universal company of Christ’s followers; the forgiveness of sin, made possible by the crucifixion of Jesus; the life everlasting, shown by the resurrection of Jesus; the Bible, the inspired word of God. For inspiration and guidance in their faith, Presbyterians have two main sources: The Bible; the Creeds and Confessions. Presbyterians have always believed that the Bible is an inspired record of God’s revelation of himself to all people. Creeds and Confessions are statements of doctrine, which express the beliefs of a church or congregation. These include the Apostles’ Creed, The Nicene Creed, the Westminster Confession, the Larger and Shorter Catechisms, and others. Presbyterians believe that government and doctrine stand under the Word of God. They believe that each person must also find a personal set of beliefs through study, contemplation and worship. |