Presbyterian polity

Presbyterian(orpresbyteral)polityis a method ofchurch governance( "ecclesiastical polity") typified by the rule of assemblies ofpresbyters,or elders. Each local church is governed by a body of elected elders usually called thesession(orconsistory), though other terms, such aschurch board,may apply.^{[notes 1]}Groups of local churches are governed by a higher assembly of elders known as thepresbyteryorclassis;presbyteries can be grouped into asynod,and presbyteries and synods nationwide often join together in ageneral assembly.Responsibility for conduct of church services is reserved to an ordained minister or pastor known as ateaching elder,or aminister of the word and sacrament.

Presbyterian polity was developed as a rejection of governance by hierarchies of single bishops (episcopal polity), but also differs from thecongregationalist polityin which each congregation is independent.^[1]In contrast to the other two forms, authority in the presbyterian polity flows both from the top down (as higher assemblies exercise limited but important authority over individual congregations, e.g., only the presbytery can ordain ministers, install pastors, and start up, close, and approve relocating a congregation) and from the bottom up (e.g., the moderator and officers are not appointed from above but are rather elected by and from among the members of the assembly). This theory of governance developed inGenevaunderJohn Calvinand was introduced toScotlandbyJohn Knoxafter his period of exile in Geneva. It is strongly associated withFrench,Dutch,SwissandScottish Reformationmovements, and theReformedandPresbyterian churches.

History

Among the early church fathers, it was noted that the offices of elder and bishop were identical, and were not differentiated until later, and thatpluralityof elders was the norm for church government.St. Jerome(347–420) "In Epistle Titus", vol. iv, said, "Elder is identical with bishop; and before the urging of the devil gave rise to factionalism in religion, so much that it was being said among the people, 'I am of Paul, I of Apollos, I of Cephas', the churches were governed by a joint council of elders. After it was... decreed throughout the world that one chosen from among the presbyters should be placed over the others."^[2]This observation was also made byChrysostom(349–407) in "Homilia i, in Phil. i, 1" andTheodoret(393–457) in "Interpret ad. Phil. iii", 445.

Aerius of Sebastealso attacked the episcopal polity in the 4th century.^[3]

Presbyterianism was first described in detail byMartin BucerofStrasbourg,who believed that the early Christian church implemented presbyterian polity.^[4]The first modern implementation was by the Geneva church under the leadership ofJohn Calvinin 1541.^[4]

In the early days of the Scottish Reformation there were Superintendents.^[5]There were alsoTulchan Bishopsand Archbishops. Much of the history of theChurch of Scotlandand the nation itself is bound up with the relation betweenEpiscopalianism,which the Protestantmonarchsfavoured, and the Presbyterianism of the reformers. In theHungarian Reformed Churchthere remain bishops who have asuperintendingrole.

Basis

Presbyterian polity is constructed on specific assumptions about the form of the government intended by theBible:

"Bishop"(Koine Greekepiskopos) and "elder" (Koine Greekpresbyteros) are (in this view) synonymous terms.Episkoposmeans literallyoverseerand describes the function of the elder, rather than the maturity of the officer. Abishopholds the highest office of the church (there is no Patriarch, Prelate^[6]or Pope^[7]over bishops).
Preaching (the ministry of the Word) and the administration of the sacraments is ordinarily entrusted to specially trained elders (known as ministers of the Word andSacrament,^[8]sometimes called "teaching elders" ) in each localcongregation,approved for these tasks by a governing presbytery, or classis, and called by the local congregation.^[9]
In addition to these ministers, there are also "others… with gifts for government… commonly call[ed]" elders "^[8]or "ruling elders".
Pastoral care,church discipline,leadership and legislation are committed to the care of ruling assemblies of presbyters among whom the ministers and "ruling elders" are equal participants.
All Christian people together are the priesthood (seepriesthood of all believers), on behalf of whom the elders are called to serve by the consent of the congregation.

Presbyterianismuses a conciliar method of church government (that is, leadership by the group or council). Thus, the ministers and "elders" govern together as a group, and at all times the office is for the service of the congregation, to pray for them and to encourage them in the faith. The elders together exercise oversight (episcopacy) over the local congregation, with superior groups of elders gathered on a regional basis exercising wider oversight.

Presbyterians typically have viewed this method of government as approximating that of theNew Testamentand earliest churches.

Presbyterianism is also distinct fromcongregationalism,in that individual congregations are not independent, but are answerable to the wider church, through its governing bodies (presbyteries, synods and assemblies).^[10]^[11]Moreover, the ordained ministry possesses a distinct responsibility for preaching and sacraments.Congregational churchesare sometimes called "Presbyterian" if they are governed by a council of elders; but the difference is that every local congregation is independent, and its elders are accountable to its members, and congregationalism's wider assemblies are not ordinarily empowered to enforce discipline. Thus, these are ruled by elders only at the level of the congregations, which are united with one another by covenants of trust.

Offices

Elder

The Ordination of Elders in aScottish Kirk,byJohn Henry Lorimer,1891.National Gallery of Scotland.

There are two types of elder; theteaching elder(seeMinisterbelow) and theruling elder. An excerpt from Miller (1831) expands this.^[12]^{: Chapter 1}

In every Church completely organized, that is, furnished with all the officers which Christ has instituted and which are necessary for carrying into full effect the laws of his kingdom, there ought to be three classes of officers, viz: at least one Teaching Elder, Bishop, or Pastor — a bench of Ruling Elders — and Deacons. The first to "minister in the Word and Doctrine", and to dispense the sacraments; — the second to assist in the inspection and government of the Church; — and the third to "serve tables"; that is, to take care of the Church's funds destined for the support of the poor, and sometimes to manage whatever relates to the temporal support of the gospel and its ministers.

Depending upon the specific denomination, teaching elders may also be referred to with terms such as "Minister of Word and Sacrament".^[13]

The elders are persons chosen from among the congregation and ordained for this service. Beyond that, practices vary: sometimes elders are elected by the congregation,^[14]sometimes appointed by the session, in some denominations elders serve for life, others have fixed terms, and some churches appoint elders on a rotation from among willing members in good standing in the church.^{[citation needed]}However, in many churches, ruling elders retain their ordination for life, even though they serve fixed terms. Even after the end of their terms, they may be active in presbyteries or other bodies, and may serve communion.^[15]

In addition to sitting on the session and other church courts, ruling elders have duties as individuals. Again, Miller (1831) explains, ^[12]^{: Chapter 9}

It is their duty to have an eye of inspection and care over all the members of the congregation; and, for this purpose, to cultivate a universal and intimate acquaintance, as far as may be, with every family in the flock of which they are made "overseers".

Minister

In some denominations they are calledMinisters of Word and Sacrament,and in others they are calledTeaching Elders.Ministers called to a particular congregation are calledpastors,and serve a function analogous toclergyin other denominations.^[8](Because ruling elders are often ordained in a fashion nearly identical to teaching elders, the distinction between lay and clergy is not as clear under the Presbyterian system as in others).^[12]The terms 'lay' and 'clergy' are not properly used in presbyterian polity.

Ministers may be considered equal in status with the other elders, but they have a distinct ordination and distinct function. They are the primary preachers and teachers, celebrants of sacraments. There are sometimes further distinctions between the minister and the other elders. Some Presbyterian denominations enroll ministers as members of their respective congregations, while others enroll the minister as a member of the regional presbytery. The presbyteries are responsible for the ordination of the ministers.

Until the 20th century, only men had been eligible for ordination as elders or ministers of the word and sacrament. This is widely not the case any longer, although it is usually considered a demarcation issue, distinguishing "liberal" from "conservative" Presbyterian denominations. In North America, theReformed Church in America,Christian Reformed Church in North America(both of Dutch Reformed heritage),Cumberland Presbyterian Church,ECO: A Covenant Order of Evangelical Presbyterians,Evangelical Presbyterian Church,Presbyterian Church in Canada,andPresbyterian Church (U.S.A.)are denominations with presbyterian polity which allow for the ordination of women.

The general assembly of a denomination often decides on what grounds a person may be ordained, but the ordination of ministers is the right of the presbytery or classis, and the right to extend a call to a minister is the privilege of the members of the parish or congregation.^[8]^[14]^{[notes 2]}

Deacon

The office ofdeaconhas different meanings among different presbyterian churches. In some churches, deacons exercise responsibility for practical matters of finance and fabric, either separately or together with the elders. In some cases deacons administer the welfare matters of the congregation, while a separate board of management ortrusteesadministers the other material business (temporalities) of the congregation, such as its endowments, salaries and buildings.

Governing bodies

Session

A session is a corporate body of teaching and ruling elders elected by a particular church.sessiofromsedere"to sit" ), sometimes theKirk session,church session,or (inContinental Reformedusage)consistory.In some Continental Reformed churches, deacons are members of the consistory; others, such as theChristian Reformed Church in North America,distinguish between the consistory, comprising the pastor and elders, and the council, which comprises the pastor(s), the elders, and the deacons.^[16]

In most denominations the pastor serves as Moderator and presides over the session (primus inter pares), in which all elders have an equal vote.^[12]^{: Chapter 9}In some denominations, the pastor is not given a vote; however, in a sitting body of an even number or with aquorumof the session counted they can break a tie by a casting vote.

In the Polity of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), the pastor and associate pastor(s), if elected by the congregation and "installed" to a permanent pastorate by the presbytery, have votes as members of the session on any and all matters;^[17]however, often they refrain from voting except in tie situations. The Pastor is not a voting member of the congregation.^[18]

With the Session there is one person, usually an elder but not always, who will be given the title, "Clerk of Session". This person is more or less the secretary for Session. They take notes on each meeting and are responsible for records of the congregation. In addition they find a wide area of responsibility, including responsibility for conduct of worship should a minister suddenly not be available. Although it is the responsibility of the Moderator (minister), Session Clerks often have the ability to assist in keeping meetings on track due to skills which are received from experience and the Holy Spirit.

Presbytery

Presbytery flags of thePresbyterian Church of Vanuatu

In presbyterianism, congregations are united in accountability to a regional body called thepresbytery,or, in Continental Reformed terminology, theclassis,which comes from the Latin word for "fleet". Presbyteries are made up of all the teaching and ruling elders in a particular geographic region. In some Dutch Reformed bodies, a classis serves as a delegated body, which ceases to exist in between meetings, whereas a presbytery exists perpetually.

The officers of a presbytery are amoderatorand astated or principal clerk.The moderator acts as chair of presbytery meetings. As with the moderators of synods and assemblies, the moderatorship is aprimus inter paresposition appointed by the presbytery itself. The moderator is addressed as "moderator" during meetings, but their position has no bearing outside of the presbytery meeting and affords him/her no special place in other courts, although typically the moderator (especially if a member of the clergy) will conduct worship and oversee ordinations and installations of ministers as a "liturgical" bishop, and other ordinances which are seen as acts of the presbytery.

The stated or principal clerk takes minutes and deals with the correspondence of the presbytery, and is often appointed for an indefinite term. Presbytery Clerks are the ecclesiastical administrators and generally regarded as substantially influential due to their greater experience of the governance of the church and their ordering of the business of the presbytery. They are thus very much more than secretaries and often in fact are the lynch pin of the organisation.

Presbyteries meet at a regularity between monthly and quarterly, some half-yearly.

Synod

In denominations too large for all the work of the denomination to be done by a single presbytery, the parishes may be divided into several presbyteries undersynodsandgeneral assemblies,the synod being the lower court of the two. In theUnited Church of Canada,this is referred to as "conferences" and "General Council". However, the United Church of Canada does not bear the formal ecclesiastical structure of classic Presbyterianism.

Often all members of the constituent presbyteries are members of the synod. Like the commissioners to presbyteries, the commissioners to synods do not act on instruction from their congregations or presbyteries, but exercise their own judgement. A synod also has a moderator and clerk, and generally meet less often than the presbytery.

Some presbyterian churches, like theChurch of Scotland,Orthodox Presbyterian ChurchandPresbyterian Church in Americahave no intermediate court between the presbytery and the general assembly.

General assembly

Thegeneral assembly(orgeneral synod) is the highest court of presbyterian polity. Each presbytery selects a number of its members to be commissioners to the general assembly. The general assembly is chaired by its ownmoderator,who is usually elected to a single term. He or she is addressed as moderator during meetings, but like the other moderators, their position has no bearing outside of the assembly meeting and affords him/her no special place in other courts. He or she presides over meetings of the assembly, and may be called on in a representative function for the remainder of the year.

The stated clerk and deputy clerk of the general assembly administer the minutes, correspondence, and business of the assembly. In some cases a separate business convenor is appointed to deal with the agenda. General assemblies meet less regularly than their subordinate courts, often annually, or in the case of the Presbyterian Church (USA), every other year.

The General Assembly also has members serve as Advisory Delegates. There are four different types of advisory delegates, each with a focus on a different area in the Presbyterian Church like young adult, theological student, missionary and ecumenical. The role of an advisory delegate is to speak about issues or topics that commissioners would usually not worry about or care to speak about during a General Assembly meeting. Advisory Delegates may not present motions or vote in meetings of the General Assembly.^[19]

The powers of the general assembly are usually wide-ranging. However, they may be limited by some form of external review. For example, the rules of theChurch of Scotlandinclude theBarrier Act,which requires that certain major changes to the polity of the church be referred to the presbyteries, before being enacted by the general assembly.

There may be issues arising between annual General Assemblies which require urgent attention. In these cases some presbyterian churches have a 'commission of assembly' who will deal with the issue and refer it to the next General Assembly for homologation.

Regions

British Isles

The wordPresbyterianism,when capitalized, often refers specifically to churches founded on principles of presbyterian polity in theBritish Islesand their derivatives in other countries.^[20]

France

Huguenot Cross

InFrance,presbyterianism was represented by theÉglise réformée de France.There are also Lutherans and Evangelicals. The logo is aHuguenotCross (Croix huguenote) with the burning bush.

Italy

The origins of theWaldensian Evangelical Churchlie in the medieval Waldensian movement for religious reform. TheWaldensiansadopted Calvinist theology during the Reformation and became the Italian branch of the Reformed churches. In 1975 the Waldensian Church joined with the Italian Methodist Church to form theUnion of Waldensian and Methodist Churches,which is a member of theWorld Council of Churches,theWorld Communion of Reformed Churches,and theWorld Methodist Council.

Cultural references

Robert Burnspublished a brief irreverent poem, "On A Celebrated Ruling Elder", as an elegy for a Scottish Presbyterian.^[21]

References

Notes

^For example, theChurch of the Nazarene,which subscribes to a body of religious doctrines that are quite distinct from those of most properly named Presbyterian denominations (and which instead descends historically from the WesleyanHoliness Movement), employs a blend ofcongregationalist,episcopal,and presbyterian polities; its local churches are governed by an elected body known as thechurch boardor simply "board members"; the termelderin the Nazarene Church has a different use entirely, referring to an ordainedministerof that denomination.
^As an example of qualifications for office as teaching elder, many denominations require a period of theological education at university level.

Citations

^Bannerman 1868b,pp201-331.
^W.A. Jurgens, "The Faith of the Early Fathers." The Order of St. Benedict, Inc., 1979, pg. 194
^"Philip Schaff: History of the Christian Church, Volume III: Nicene and Post-Nicene Christianity. A.D. 311-600 - Christian Classics Ethereal Library".ccel.org.Retrieved21 December2021.
^^a ^b"Presbyterianism".Oxford English Dictionary(Online ed.).Oxford University Press.(Subscription orparticipating institution membershiprequired.)
^M'Crie 1875,pp48-51.
^Bannerman 1868b,pp260-295.
^Bannerman 1868b,pp245-259.
^^a ^b ^c ^dWestminster Assembly, 1645A"The Form of Presbyterial Church-Government"(ASSEMBLY AT EDINBURGH, February 10, 1645, Sess. 16. ACT of the GENERAL ASSEMBLY of the KIRK of SCOTLAND, approving the Propositions concerning Kirk-government, and Ordination of Ministers). Online atCRTA Archived2019-04-06 at theWayback Machine,retrieved on September 6, 2006.
^Bannerman 1868a,pp433passim.
^Bannerman 1868b,pp296-331.
^M'Crie 1875,pp203& passim.
^^a ^b ^c ^dMiller 1842.
^Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), 2007. "Book of Order"
^^a ^bMcHugh 1911.
^Presbyterian Publications Office, London, 1884, "The Qualifications and Duties of Elders", in Matthews, George D. ed "Alliance of the Reformed Church Holding the Presbyterian System, Minutes and Proceedings of the Third General Council, Belfast, 1884"
^Christian Reformed Church of North America Church Order Article 35 a-b(2015)
^PCUSA Book of Order G-10.0101
^PCUSA Book of Order G-7.0308
^"General Assembly"(PDF).
^Benedict 2002.
^Burns, Robert. "On A Celebrated Ruling Elder" available online in English translation fromThe World Burns Club Archived12 November 2006 at theWayback Machine.Retrieved on August 25, 2006.

Sources

Bannerman, James(1868a).The church of Christ: a treatise on the nature, powers, ordinances, discipline, and government of the Christian church.Vol. 1. Edinburgh: T. T. Clark.
Bannerman, James(1868b).The church of Christ: a treatise on the nature, powers, ordinances, discipline, and government of the Christian church.Vol. 2. Edinburgh: T. T. Clark.
Benedict, Philip(2002).Christ's Churches Purely Reformed: A Social History of Calvinism.New Haven:Yale University Press.p. xiv.ISBN 978-0300105070.
Chisholm, Hugh,ed. (1911). "Presbyterianism".Encyclopædia Britannica(11th ed.). Cambridge University Press.
Cunningham, William(1863a)."VIII - The Constitution of the Church".Historical theology: a review of the principal doctrinal discussions in the Christian church since the apostolic age.Vol. 1. Edinburgh: T. & T. Clark. pp.227-266 & passim.
Cunningham, William(1863b)."XXVI - Church Government".Historical theology: a review of the principal doctrinal discussions in the Christian church since the apostolic age.Vol. 2. Edinburgh: T. & T. Clark. pp.514-556 & passim.
Johnston, John C (1887).Treasury of the Scottish covenant.Edinburgh: Andrew Elliot.
McHugh, John Ambrose (1911). "Presbyterianism".In Herbermann, Charles (ed.).Catholic Encyclopedia.Vol. 12. New York: Robert Appleton Company.
M'Crie, Thomas(1875).The story of the Scottish church: from the Reformation to the Disruption.London: Blackie & Son.
Miller, Samuel(1842).An essay on the warrant, nature, and duties of the office of the ruling elder in the Presbyterian Church.Edinburgh: Robert Ogle.

External links

World Alliance of Reformed Churches
Catholic Encyclopedia1914,Presbyterianismby J. A. MCHUGH.Online edition
Samuel Miller,1831.An Essay, on the Warrant, Nature and Duties of the Office of the Ruling Elder, in the Presbyterian Church(New York). Book in thepublic domain,available online atThe Internet ArchiveandCRTA.
Westminster Assembly,1645"The Form of Presbyterial Church-Government"online atreformed.org
audio version of Historical Theology,audio version of William Cunningham's Historical Theology

[1] For example, theChurch of the Nazarene,which subscribes to a body of religious doctrines that are quite distinct from those of most properly named Presbyterian denominations (and which instead descends historically from the WesleyanHoliness Movement), employs a blend ofcongregationalist,episcopal,and presbyterian polities; its local churches are governed by an elected body known as thechurch boardor simply "board members"; the termelderin the Nazarene Church has a different use entirely, referring to an ordainedministerof that denomination.

[17] As an example of qualifications for office as teaching elder, many denominations require a period of theological education at university level.

[FOOTNOTEBannerman1868b[httpsarchiveorgstreamchurchofchristtr02bannpage200mode2up_pp201]-331-2] Bannerman 1868b,pp201-331.

[3] W.A. Jurgens, "The Faith of the Early Fathers." The Order of St. Benedict, Inc., 1979, pg. 194

[4] "Philip Schaff: History of the Christian Church, Volume III: Nicene and Post-Nicene Christianity. A.D. 311-600 - Christian Classics Ethereal Library".ccel.org.Retrieved21 December2021.

[oed-5] "Presbyterianism".Oxford English Dictionary(Online ed.).Oxford University Press.(Subscription orparticipating institution membershiprequired.)

[FOOTNOTEM'Crie1875[httpsarchiveorgdetailsscottish00mcripage48mode2upqprelacy_pp48]-51-6] M'Crie 1875,pp48-51.

[FOOTNOTEBannerman1868b[httpsarchiveorgstreamchurchofchristtr02bannpage260mode2up_pp260-]_295-7] Bannerman 1868b,pp260-295.

[FOOTNOTEBannerman1868b[httpsarchiveorgstreamchurchofchristtr02bannpage245mode2up_pp245-]_259-8] Bannerman 1868b,pp245-259.

[form1645-9] Westminster Assembly, 1645A"The Form of Presbyterial Church-Government"(ASSEMBLY AT EDINBURGH, February 10, 1645, Sess. 16. ACT of the GENERAL ASSEMBLY of the KIRK of SCOTLAND, approving the Propositions concerning Kirk-government, and Ordination of Ministers). Online atCRTA Archived2019-04-06 at theWayback Machine,retrieved on September 6, 2006.

[FOOTNOTEBannerman1868a[httpsarchiveorgdetailschurchofchristtr01bannpage432mode2upqelection_pp433]_passim-10] Bannerman 1868a,pp433passim.

[FOOTNOTEBannerman1868b[httpsarchiveorgstreamchurchofchristtr02bannpage296mode2up_pp296-]_331-11] Bannerman 1868b,pp296-331.

[FOOTNOTEM'Crie1875[httpsarchiveorgdetailsscottish00mcripage202mode2upqindependency_pp203]_&_passim-12] M'Crie 1875,pp203& passim.

[FOOTNOTEMiller1842-13] Miller 1842.

[PCUSABOO-14] Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), 2007. "Book of Order"

[FOOTNOTEMcHugh1911-15] McHugh 1911.

[qualdut-16] Presbyterian Publications Office, London, 1884, "The Qualifications and Duties of Elders", in Matthews, George D. ed "Alliance of the Reformed Church Holding the Presbyterian System, Minutes and Proceedings of the Third General Council, Belfast, 1884"

[18] Christian Reformed Church of North America Church Order Article 35 a-b(2015)

[19] PCUSA Book of Order G-10.0101

[20] PCUSA Book of Order G-7.0308

[21] "General Assembly"(PDF).

[FOOTNOTEBenedict2002-22] Benedict 2002.

[23] Burns, Robert. "On A Celebrated Ruling Elder" available online in English translation fromThe World Burns Club Archived12 November 2006 at theWayback Machine.Retrieved on August 25, 2006.

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