Presbyterian Church Governance

The nature of Presbyterian order shares power and responsibility. The system of governing bodies (Session, Presbytery, Synod, General Assembly), whether they have authority over one or many churches, sustains mutual relationships within the structure to express the unity of the church.

The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) affirms a special commitment to basic principles of Presbyterian governance: 

1. The particular churches of the Presbyterian church (U.S.A.) wherever they are, taken collectively, constitute one church;
2. The church is governed by presbyters (elders and ministers of Word and Sacrament);
3. The presbyters come together in governing bodies (Session, Presbytery, Synod, General Assembly);
4. Presbyters do not simply reflect the will of the people, but rather seek together to find and represent the will of Christ;
5. Decisions are reached in governing bodies by vote, following opportunity for discussion, and a majority governs;
6. A higher governing body has the right of review and control over a lower one and has power to determine matters of controversy upon reference, complaint or appeal;
7. Presbyters are ordained only by the authority of a governing body;
8. Ecclesiastical jurisdiction is a shared power, exercised jointly by presbyters gathered in governing bodies;
9. Governing bodies possess administrative authority necessary to effect duties and powers assigned by the Constitution of the church.

The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is a constitutional church.  The Constitution of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A) consists of The Book of Confessions (Part I) and The Book of Order (Part II). The Book of Confessions contains eleven confessional statements through which the church declares to its members and to the world who and what it is, what it believes, and what it resolves to do. The Book of Order contains the Form of Government, Directory for Worship and Rules of Discipline.