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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:
·
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)
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. (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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