Christian CommunityPresbyterian Church

Church Governance

 
 

Session

The basic form of church government in the Presbyterian Church (USA) is representative democracy, similar to that of the United States except that we are unicameral rather than bicameral. Instead of Senators or Representatives, our church is governed by Elders who are elected by the members of the congregation to serve for three-years terms. Collectively these Elders form the basic church governing body called the Session. One-third of the Session is elected every year. The Session has the responsibility of governing most elements of church life from worship to building maintenance, through the work of committees. Exceptions to that general statement are that the congregation's active members must approve sales and purchases of real property, hiring new ministers, and the annual terms of call (a type of contract) for their minister(s).

  • Session Moderator - Rev. Dr. Kori Phillips McMurtry - Ensures that meetings of the Session and Congregation are conducted in good order.
  • Clerk of Session - Amy Littlefield (Secretary of Corporation)- Records actions of the Session and Congregation and maintains church membership records.
  • President of the Corporation - Jane Mellow
  • Treasurer - Patricia Ashby
  • Presbyterian Women of the Church (PWOC) - Position open (Peggy Oates, in memoriam) 
      Class of 2024
      • Wendell Ayivie (Tech Team)
      • Scott Brock (Nominating)
      • Dan MacMillan (Personnel)
      • Karin Rice (Adult Education)
      Class of 2025
      • Kevin Rice (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, DEI)
      • Kris Ross (Mission)
      • Charlie Dziduch (Buildings and Grounds)
      Class of 2026
      • Melodie Dziduch (Youth and Children)
      • Jane Mellow (Finance)
      • Gladys Ayuketah (Parish Life)
      • Mary Brock (Worship)


          Higher Church Government

          The Presbyterian Church (USA) is a connected church in that we attempt to be connected with the mission of every other Presbyterian Church in the United States through our form of higher church government. To help do this each congregation is a member of local area Presbyteries that are part of regional Synods that are all part of the National General Assembly. A structural analogy in secular government would be town, county, state, and national governing bodies. Representatives to church governing bodies are elected at the next lower level so that, for example, the Session of our church elects commissioners to National Capital Presbytery. These higher levels of church government are composed equally of lay persons and clergy so there is equality in governance between lay leaders and clerical leaders.