Check out this brief overview of how we structure our church government.  Click on the image or the "MORE" button to watch the video.

Presbyterian Polity (click here for biblical roots of our polity)

Presbyterian churches are governed by what is known as Presbyterian Polity, a unique church governance system that balances authority between the Denomination and the Congregation. This system was developed by John Calvin in Geneva and spread by John Knox to Scotland. Scottish immigrants brought Presbyterian doctrine and polity to America.

What is so unique about Presbyterian Polity is that authority flows both from the Congregation up and from the Denomination down. To prevent powerful hierarchies governed by a single individual, presbyters are elected by congregation members to serve on assemblies. Once elected assemblies are responsible to exercise authority over congregations. Regional groups of congregations form a Presbytery. Groups of Presbyteries are governed by a Synod. Together, the Synods compose the General Assembly.

Local Congregations govern themselves through an elected board called the Session (from the Latin word meaning “to sit”). Session members serve for three years. Each year, one third of the Session members retire from Session and are replaced by members elected as elders by those previously retired. This provides stability and continuity in governing the congregation. A senior Minister moderates the Session which is headed by the Clerk of Session, neither of whom are voting members of the session.

An overview of the biblically based "Book of Order" which serves as our legal 'constitution' of the church.  Click on the image or the "MORE" button to watch the video. 

Click on the Image to be taken to the Presbyterian Historical Society to find out about some of Presbyterian history.  Click on the "MORE" button to watch a brief overview of the historical principles that have guided the church.  

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The Session is the leadership of the local church.  Click the image or the "MORE" button to watch a brief overview of the Session.  

A brief overview of the Book of Confessions.  Along with the Book of Order they make up the church's constitution.  Scripture always has been and always will be the supreme standard of faith and practice.  Confession attempt to put down specific things the Church has believed in the past and upholds to this day.  Click on the image or the "MORE" button to watch the video overview. 

What does it mean to be ordained?  What does it mean to be a part of an 'ordered ministry' of the church?  Find out by clicking on the image or the "MORE" button to watch a brief overview. 

Click on the image or the "MORE" button to find out more about the commitments made by those who are 'ordained' (set apart for service) in the church.  Click on the image or the "MORE" button to watch the video.