Being Presbyterian Means . . . 

 

To be Christian

 

Christians hold these beliefs in common:

1. Jesus Christ is the Son of God, the “Messiah,” or promised Savior.
2. Jesus Christ died on the cross for our sins, he was buried, and he rose again on the third day.
3. Belief in Jesus Christ is central to salvation.

 

To be Protestant

 

Protestants hold these beliefs in common:

1. All the above Christian beliefs.
2. Salvation comes by grace, through faith in Jesus Christ alone.
3. The Bible is the sole authority upon which faith is based.

 

To be Reformed

 

Reformed Christians hold these beliefs in common:

1. All the above Christian and Protestant beliefs.
2. The “Sovereignty of God,” that God alone is the supreme authority over all things, not anything or anyone else.
3. Salvation is an act of God in that it is a free gift to us through Jesus Christ and not as a result of our own efforts.
4. The priesthood of all believers.
5. The fact that G0d constantly working to "reform" the church, refinining it and making it to become what God wants it to be.

 

To be Presbyterian in Polity

 

The term “Presbyterian” comes from a Greek word meaning “elder.”  “Polity” means how we govern, or order, church life.  So, “Presbyterian” simply means “elder rule.”  Presbyterian polity, or order, is a representative form of government like that of a republic, rather than a pure democracy.  In a pure democracy, everyone votes on, or decides, everything.  In a republic, like that of the United States of America, everyone votes only on certain things, one of which is electing representative leaders (like Congressmen and Senators).  The representatives then do the day-to-day business.

 

In the Presbyterian Church, the congregation votes on certain issues.  Those issues are electing its leaders, or elders, to serve on the session (or church board); calling a pastor; borrowing money on church property; selling church property; and certain issues affecting church organization (such as merging, presbytery alliance, closing, etc.).

 

The session is made of up of elders elected by the congregation and the pastor (or pastors).  The session is responsible for the day-to-day and month-to-month operation and ministry of the church and is also responsible for overseeing the spiritual life of the church.