Overview of the Presbyterian Church

 
The word "Presbyterian" comes from the Greek word "presbuteros," which means "elder." The Old Testament shows us that tribes selected elders to lead them. In the New Testament examples of the church, the term is descriptive of the overseers of the local church congregation.

A Presbyterian church is led by elders. These elders are elected by the congregation. Authority rests with these elected representatives of the congregation in the church courts.

At the lowest level of the hierarchal structure of the Presbyterian church courts is the Session. Each Presbyterian church has its own Session, comprised of the church's pastor(s), as well as church members elected by the congregation to serve as elders. Each congregation decides how many Session members it needs, and both men and women are eligible to serve. The Session oversees the day-to-day activities of the church and supervises the Deacons (or Diaconate), who conduct the temporal and charitable ministry of the church.

Other Presbyterian church courts are, in rank from lowest to highest: the Presbytery, the Synod, and the General Assembly. You can find out more about Presbyterian Church Structure by visiting the web site of the PCUSA.

 
Information in this section was derived from the following sources:

What Presbyterians Believe. Gettys, Joseph. Copyright 1982.
About Being Presbyterian. Channing L. Bete Company, Inc.
Copyright 1974.

History of the Presbyterian Church in America

 
The Presbyterian faith got its start overseas in Europe. The background for Presbyterian beliefs was established by a Frenchman named John Calvin (Jean Caulvin). Originally a Roman Catholic, Calvin converted to Protestantism in 1533. Calvin left his native France and settled in Geneva, Switzerland, where he began social and government reforms. Calvin's teachings were based on the belief in a sovereign God, which is a fundamental element of Presbyterian belief.

In the 1500s, persecution of Protestants increased in England and Scotland. John Knox fled his homeland of Scotland to avoid this persecution. He settled in Geneva, Switzerland, where he studied under Calvin. John Knox later returned to Scotland and established the Presbyterian Church of Scotland.

Presbyterians and other protestants were ruthlessly persecuted for their beliefs. Such massive persecution in European countries such as Scotland, Ireland, England, and France caused many Protestants, a large number of whom were Presbyterian, to flee their homelands and settle in America

Presbyterians in America were first organized around 1705. Presbyterianism spread among colonists. In 1741, the Presbyterian church split when new ideas clashed with traditional values. The Presbyterian faith continued to spread throughout all the colonies. Eventually, the Presbyterian church was reunited. Presbyterians came together in May of 1789 to form "The Presbyterian Church in the United States of America." Unfortunately, by 1837, the church again divided along the lines of new ideas and old ideas.

In 1845, the "New Side" Presbyterians divided after their Presbyterian Assembly passed some drastic resolutions regarding slavery. Just a few years later, in in 1861, the "Old Side" Presbyterians divided over the passing of the Gardiner-Springs resolution. This resolution, which called for loyalty to the United States, its government, and its Constitution, was passed during the Civil War. Of the eight states that had seceded from the Union, very few representatives were present at the resolution's passing. Compliance with the Gardiner-Springs resolution would have meant that those Presbyterians in the 8 seceded states would have had to leave home and community.

Over the years, the Presbyterian church in the United States has split, and parts have reunited several times. Currently the largest group is the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), which has its national offices in Louisville, Kentucky. It was formed in 1983 as a result of reunion between the Presbyterian Church in the U.S. (PCUS), the so-called "southern branch," and the United Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A. (UPCUSA), the so-called "northern branch." Other Presbyterian churches in the United States include: the Presbyterian Church in America, the Cumberland Presbyterian Church and the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church. Our church, First Presbyterian of Lexington, North Carolina, is affiliated with the PC(U.S.A.).

 
Information in this section was derived from the following sources:

What Presbyterians Believe. Gettys, Joseph. Copyright 1982.
About Being Presbyterian. Channing L. Bete Company, Inc.
Copyright 1974.