The Session
Form of Government
The Presbyterian Church is a representative democracy governed by elders elected from and by the members of a particular church.
Authority and responsibility for the spiritual life and well being of a particular congregation reside with those men and women whom have been elected as elders to serve on the governing body of the church called the Session. In our denomination we have four governing bodies.
The Session is the local governing body for a particular church. The next governing body Is a Presbytery which is a geographical district and comprises all churches and ministers of Word and Sacrament that reside within the bounds of a particular Presbytery. The Synod is composed of elected commissioners from several Presbyteries. The national governing body made up of equal numbers of elders and clergy chosen by the Presbyteries is the General Assembly. The General Assembly of the PC(USA) meets every two years.
The Session of Faith Presbyterian Church consists of fifteen elders in three different classes. Each class has an equal number of elders and each elder is elected for a term of three years. An elder can be elected to serve an additional three year term but must then rotate off the Session for at least one year. The Moderator of the Session is our pastor. The other officer of the Session is the Clerk. The Clerk of Session handles all correspondence and communications and works with the Moderator to establish the Session’s meeting agenda.
The Session of Faith Presbyterian Church has six standing committees: Christian Education, Commitment/Finance, Member Care, Witness /Outreach, Worship/Spiritual Formation, and Youth Ministry.
