What Presbyterian Means
What Presbyterian means.
The term “presbyterian” refers more to the way a church is structured than to its particular beliefs.
A presbyterian church is a church that is governed by elders. The word “presbyter” actually means “elder”. The Bible sets high standards for church elders: above reproach, self-controlled, able teachers, gentle, free from the love of money, and devoted to what is good. In a Presbyterian church, the elders have responsibility for matters of mission, nurture, and discipline of their congregation. With Jesus as the Great Shepherd, the elders are the under-shepherds who are taking care of the people of the church.
The Presbyterian approach to polity is often best understood by looking at the alternatives.
- On one end of the spectrum is the hierarchical model. In this model, one person, like a pastor, would make all decisions for his church.
- On the other end of the spectrum is the congregational model, in which all members of the congregation take part in decisions.
We believe the Presbyterian approach is not only effective, but what the Bible calls for. In several of Paul’s letters, he talks about the importance of selecting elders to oversee churches. So our church is overseen by a group of elders who were nominated and elected by the congregation to represent them in leadership. They are led by our pastor, who is technically an elder as well.
Being Presbyterian also typically means that a church is “confessional,” or that it abides by a set of standards or “confessions” that unify it doctrinally with other churches current and historical. The PCA holds to the Westminster Confession of Faith for our doctrinal standards. You may read the Westminster Confession here.
Finally, being Presbyterian, means that a church recognizes the doctrinal teachings of John Calvin and the Reformed tradition to provide much of the basis for the doctrines we find in the Westminster Confession. Often, you will hear Presbyterians speak of Calvinism or the “Reformed” tradition in the same breath. If you’d like to know more about these doctrines, you may find a good summary here.
We’d like to reiterate that if some or all of this is new to you, please don’t feel like you must understand or believe it all to come worship or fellowship with us. You will find our community to be very welcoming and eager to bless you in any way we can.